Review and update your Workplace Risk Assessment
As the COVID-19 situation rapidly changes, remember to closely follow updates from your territorial government ( Northwest Territories and Nunavut). Update your COVID-19 Workplace Risk Assessment as necessary. All employers need to determine appropriate safety measures to ensure workers are protected on the job, and to verify that those safety measures are implemented.
For further information, visit our COVID-19 Resources page. If you have questions, reach out to the WSCC today.
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Traffic Safety Reminder
BACK TO SCHOOL, CONSTRUCTION, AND CHANGING LIGHT CONDITIONS
 September is a busy time on the roads in our communities. Kids are heading back to school, roadwork may still be occurring, and the days are getting shorter. Any time conditions change, you have a great subject for your morning safety meeting! Here are some topics you can cover in September:
- All workers in NU and the NWT: Remember to drive safely around traffic control personnel. WSCC has a safety bulletin to help you discuss this topic with workers. The bottom line is: slow down, pay attention, and obey all traffic laws and directions.
- If your company works around roads, make sure your Traffic Control Plan addresses the changing conditions. Safety plans need to be updated as conditions change, and staff always need to be trained on any new hazards on or around the work site.
- Dress for changing conditions. If there are employees working outside, walking outside, or working around traffic, make sure they are wearing appropriate clothing for the temperature and light conditions. High visibility clothing is always important, but especially during changing light conditions.
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Electrocution in the Workplace
 A worker was electrocuted and seriously injured during the cleaning of a work bay drainage sump. The incident occurred because the worker did not lock out or tag out the sump pump. The worker had followed the same process for years without incident.
Ensuring electrocution incidents and injuries do not happen requires 2 preventative measures: de-energization and lockout.
- De-energization - this refers to removing the power source from the machine or equipment (unplugging the machinery, turning off a breaker, or removing the battery), and following the recommended process to remove any stored energy within the machine (if any).
- Lockout or Tag Out - when a physical lock, cover, visual symbol, etc. prevents other people from turning on the machine without warning.
Electrocution can cause serious injury or death. It is important that both of these processes happen when employees are cleaning, repairing, or working around equipment that is not actively being used. These same processes can help to prevent other types of incidents and injuries including cuts, injuries to limbs, pinch point injuries, etc.
See this Hazard Alert for further information. If you have any questions about the safety of your workers, contact a WSCC Inspector today.
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Safety Spotlight: Back Injury
Returning to Work Post-Injury
The WSCC has been talking about back injuries and back injury prevention, but what happens when a back injury occurs? What is the path to recovery?
Healthcare providers will work with workers and WSCC Claims and Medical units through the physical recovery process. However, an equally important part of the conversation is the return to work process.
Did You Know?
Return to work programs provide huge benefits to both workers AND employers. It is proven that workers emotional and physical recovery from an injury is improved when employers have an effective return to work program.
Return to Work for Back Injuries
There are many things that can help a worker with a back injury in coming back to work. Many of these strategies are the same steps you would take to prevent back injury from occurring.
- Consider the work station and/or tasks - are workers set up with an ergonomically correct work station? Are they using ergonomic postures? Are there any adjustments that you can make to the space and work flow, or provide supports such as assistive lifting devices? Alternating heavy and light loads and work postures can reduce fatigue and injury risk. The worker may have specific criteria outlined by their healthcare provider.
- Accessible Safety Equipment - make safety second nature by thinking through the physical work space. If lifting supports, PPE, and aids are readily available, it is more likely workers will use them.
- Policies and Procedures - along with your policies on safe lifting, desk ergonomics, etc. ensure that you have a Return to Work Policy and Procedures that clearly outlines out how to help a worker transition back.
- Teamwork and Strong Safety Culture - let your injured worker know that everyone is excited to welcome them back! A workplace where people look out for the safety of others has a strong safety culture.
- Open Communication - essential for any effective return to work program, open communication will help make sure the return to work process is working and is safe for workers heading towards recovery.
If you have questions about back injury prevention contact a WSCC Inspector today. If you have questions about creating a strong return to work program for your workplace, contact our Return to Work Specialist.
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WSCC Offices are closed for Labour Day on Monday, September 6th, and will reopen on Tuesday, September 7th at 8:30 AM.
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.
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wscc.nt.ca / 1.800.661.0792 * wscc.nu.ca / 1.877.404.4407
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