March 2022
Hand Injuries
CREATING A RETURN TO WORK PLAN FOR AN INJURED WORKER
In 2021, 19.2% of accepted claims in the NWT and Nunavut involved workers’ hands and fingers. Check out our Safety Spotlight page for tips on preventing common types of hand injuries.

If a hand injury does happen, it is important to consider what we can do for injured workers who are navigating the recovery process. A good return to work plan can mean all the difference! 

Return to work planning for a hand injury

Here are a few questions to get the ball rolling:

  • Is there a loss of functionality with the worker’s hand that may affect their normal day-to-day work? If so, what tasks might be affected? Is it the worker’s entire workday, or just a few tasks?
  • Are there any similar or new tasks that can replace tasks that the worker might struggle with?
  • Are there tools or ergonomic equipment that may help the worker?
  • Is a full workday of duties for the worker realistic? Perhaps a half-day, or a day with extended breaks are options while they recover.
  • Have you talked to the worker about their concerns? Have them help to identify what tasks concern them (if any), and what fits in with their medical recovery plan.

Please Note: It is important to include any recommendations from medical professionals when creating a return to work plan.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for a good return to work plan. It requires flexibility from the employer, the worker, and health care providers in finding tasks, solutions, and schedules that fit the worker’s new needs, whether temporarily or permanently.

The process starts with developing a Return to Work Program for your organization. Use WSCC’s Return to Work tools and templates to create your program, and work collaboratively to find solutions for injured workers in recovery. Contact the WSCC today with any questions about Safety Spotlight or building your Return to Work Program.
Changing Temperatures
PREVENTING SLIPS AND FALLS ON THE ICE
March is here, and temperatures can change quickly. As temperatures warm and then freeze again, remember that ice can appear in front of doorways, along sidewalks, parking lots, and basically anywhere outdoors! 

Remember

When you are working outside, walking to and from work, or even just stepping out the door:
  • Put on proper footwear with good treads.
  • If there are hand railings, door handles, or other hand grips available, use them.
  • Stay aware of your surroundings. Keep your eye out for patches of ice, and puddles that might become a patch of ice if the temperature drops. 
  • Be aware that a fresh covering of snow may also hide ice patches.
  • Keep salt or sand stored near doorways so it is easy to take care of patches of ice as soon as they form.

Slips, trips, and falls are consistently one of the highest causes of injury in the north - let’s work together to change that. Talk to your staff regularly, post signage outside your doorways, and make sure everyone knows that we all have a role in preventing injury from happening.
Hiring Summer Students?
SET UP YOUR YOUNG WORKER SAFETY ORIENTATION TODAY
Every year, summer students fill our workplaces with energy and enthusiasm! Remember that your summer students might be new to the workforce, so don’t take for granted that they know about workplace safety. Make sure you start them off on the right foot by training them on safety fundamentals. First jobs can set a strong foundation for young workers' future careers.

Resources for your workplace

WSCC has several FREE resources for your younger workers. Everything from educational tools to training guides for your supervisors, these tools are designed to support young workers in starting their careers safely.

  • Young Worker Certificate Course – A 2-hour online training course that covers the basics of safety. Check out the Instructor Manual if you have several young workers and want to review the course content together. 
  • Young and New Worker Safety Orientation guide – A guide for anyone training young workers. It is a step-by-step guide to the fundamentals of safety in your training program.
  • Young Workers Toolbox Talks – We have several-industry specific safety sheets for students and instructors. The instructor sheets are guided discussions, and the student sheets highlight the important subjects. 

All employers have a legislated requirement to train workers to do their job safely. Help Nunavut and NWT young workers start their careers safely by using these resources developed just for them. After workers have the fundamentals, supervisors can focus on site-specific safety training in your workplace. Together, we can train the next generation of workers to keep safety at top of mind!
What’s your Safe Workplace status?
CHECK OUT THE SAFE WORKPLACE DASHBOARD TO FIND OUT!
The Annual Payroll Report (APR) deadline has passed, and that means you can go check your company’s Safe Workplace status on the Safe Workplace Dashboard! Download your Safe Workplace or Advanced Safe Workplace certificate and digital badge and share them in your workplace and online. Don’t forget to tag us @WSCCNTNU when you share your digital badge on social media!

Not listed yet?

If you are not listed as a Safe Workplace or an Advanced Safe Workplace, you may not currently meet the criteria for the Safe Workplace program. The criteria can be found in Section 4 of your APR submission. If you have questions about the criteria, or looking for guidance on where to start improving your company’s safety program, contact the WSCC today.

Tip: If you are a small business with less than 20 employees, please refer to the OHS Program, Guide for Small Businesses to better understand your OHS requirements before revising your responses to the OHS questions in WSCC Connect.
Changes to Assessment Payment Due Dates
Assessment payments are now due one day earlier than in previous years. If you are paying by installments and make payments by pre-authorized credit card debits or post-dated cheques, please review your payment method to ensure it is up-to-date. Payments can be submitted through WSCC Connect.

Assessment Payment Due Dates:

  • March 31 (Previously April 1)
  • May 31 (Previously June 1)
  •  July 31 (Previously August 1)
  • September 30 (Previously October 1)

For more information about employer assessments, see Policy 02.01: Employer Assessments available on the Policy Manual page of our website.
Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut,
5022 49th Street, 5th Floor, Centre Square Tower, Box 8888, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2R3 Canada