October 2021
COVID-19 Resource Feature
UPDATED TEMPLATES
AND FORMS
Face Mask 1
WSCC has made some updates to many of our COVID-19 resources to ensure they are up-to-date and easier to use. Make sure you are following the current COVID-19 restrictions in your community. Remember that safety planning and assessing risks and hazards in your workplace should be a part of every workday. 

Safety resources for your workplace

There is no need to start from scratch with any of your COVID-19 planning, but it is a good idea to review what is new and make sure your work sites’ plans are up-to-date and are working effectively. The following forms have been updated:

  • Workplace Risk Assessment – more examples of things to consider, and updated information.
  • Worker Hazard Assessment – a more usable “yes/no” checklist.
  • When and How to Wear a Mask Guide – important information updates.
  • Customer/Client and Worker Screening Forms – addition of vaccine status questions.

The templates are also now available in Microsoft Word format, which allows employers to more easily download and edit for their individual workplace(s). Visit the COVID-19 Resources page of our website to find all available resources. If you have any questions related to COVID-19 safety in your workplace, email us today.
First Aid Legislation Changes
REMINDER: UPCOMING DEADLINES
Changes to first aid legislation came into effect this year. The changes impact Part 5 – First Aid of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulations of Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

What you need to know

  • First aid risk assessments need to be completed for every work site. These assessments will tell you:
  • How many first aid kits are required, and what type of kits are needed on every site.
  • The quantity and level of first aid attendants needed on site.
  • The legislative changes impact the number of first aid kits required on site, as well as the supplies required in first aid kits. 
  • The deadlines to complete the first aid risk assessment and re-stock first aid kits for your work site(s) are:
  • NWT: January 1, 2022
  • NU: February 12, 2022
  • First aid certification continues to remain valid until the date of expiry. 

Visit the First Aid page of our website for a full summary and list of resources on the recent legislation changes. Download the OHS App to keep this information with you offline, off site, and whenever you need it. For questions on how these legislative changes impact your business, contact us today.
Proposed changes to the pension system 
SECOND ENGAGEMENT COMING SOON
Starting in November 2021, WSCC is seeking a second round of feedback on the proposed legislative changes to the Workers Compensation Acts of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut related to the pension system for permanent workplace injuries or illnesses.

The proposed revisions would move the WSCC from providing pensions for life to permanently injured workers based solely on their percentage of full body permanent medical impairment (PMI) and earnings at the time of injury, to a dual system that provides non-economic loss benefits and long-term earning loss benefits to permanently impaired workers.

Why are we doing another open engagement?

The WSCC received a positive response during the first round of open engagement on the pension system proposal in 2020 through an online survey, online public forums, and one-on-one conversations.

Several participants during this first engagement requested more details about how the new system would operate. To respond to this feedback WSCC developed draft policy documents to outline the administration of the proposed new pension system, and is reopening the entire proposal to feedback from November 8, 2021 to December 8, 2021.

How you can participate

The WSCC is inviting any interested people and organisations to visit the WSCC website after November 8, 2021 and review the proposed changes. Once you have reviewed the information, we would like to hear what you think. You will be able to participate by completing an online survey, joining an online open meeting, or speaking to us directly.

To learn more, you can contact us directly at PensionFeedback@wscc.nu.ca in Nunavut, and PensionFeedback@wscc.nt.ca in the Northwest Territories. You can also call us at 1 (800) 661-0792.

The WSCC’s Governance Council will carefully consider all feedback before making a decision about whether or not to recommend legislative amendments.
Slips, Trips,
and Falls
SELECTING THE PERFECT PPE
TO PREVENT INJURY

The cold weather has arrived. Remember, slipping hazards arrive along with the snow and ice. As this is one of the leading causes of injuries in the north, there are a few important things that we can all do.

The Right PPE and More

Proper shoes and grips do a lot to prevent injuries. Whether walking from your car into an office, or working at an outdoor work site, everyone should wear appropriate footwear for the conditions.

What can employers do?

There are many prevention tools and tactics (on top of proper footwear) that will prevent a slip on ice:

  • Make sure ice patches are taken care of right away. This might involve putting sand and salt down, regular clearing of snow, and proper signage for areas that have a regular buildup of ice. 
  • Post signage at doors reminding employees to put on appropriate footwear.
  • Be understanding and supportive if an employee is a few minutes late due to slippery conditions.
  • Remind workers to slow down, avoid distractions (looking at cellphones while walking, for example), and put on the correct footwear whenever they are leaving the building.

To learn more about preventing slips, trips, and falls, visit the Safety Bulletin page of our website. To learn more about selecting the perfect PPE for any task and any worker, visit our Safety Spotlight feature block.
Policy Changes
The Governance Council reviewed and approved the following policies and Governance Council (GC) Directives at its September 2021 meeting:

  • Policy 00.02 – Reconsidering a Decision
  • Policy 00.04 – Year’s Maximum Insurable Remuneration (YMIR)
  • Policy 03.07 – Calculation of Temporary Compensation
  • GC Directive B-009 – Appeals Tribunal Members’ Remuneration and Travel
  • GC Directive B-011 – Appeals Tribunal Members’ Claims

Please refer to the WSCC Policy Manual to view all WSCC policies or the Governance Council Directives to view all governance directives.
New WSCC Hours of Operation
WSCC’s hours of operation have recently been adjusted. Please note that in-person services may be limited based on local health orders, but WSCC employees will continue to work remotely. For updates on the availability of in-person services, view the banner at the top of the WSCC website.

Updated Hours:

  • Iqaluit: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM ET (closed from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM)
  • Yellowknife: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM MT (closed from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM)
  • Inuvik: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM MT (closed from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM)

To speak with a staff member, call 1 (800) 661-0792. To report a serious workplace incident or injury, visit WSCC Connect.
WSCC Office Closures
WSCC Offices will be closed for Remembrance Day on Thursday, November 11th, and will reopen on Friday, November 12th.

To report a serious workplace injury or incident, call 1 (800) 661-0792.

To report unsafe work, use our online Report Unsafe Work service on WSCC Connect.
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