June 2020                                                                    FRANÇAIS| ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ
Step 1: Workplace Risk Assessment  
Find the risks and identify Control measures

The first step in your COVID-19 safety planning process is to fill in the Workplace Risk Assessment. This will help you identify different exposure risks in your workplace, as well as the safety control measures to help reduce the risk level. Use the completed assessment to help the rest of your planning process.  

When your form is done

This form does not need to be submitted to the WSCC. Keep your form close by, update it if risks in your workplace change, and set a schedule for review. During workplace inspections, OHS Inspectors will ask to see your completed form.


Step 2: Worker Hazard Assessment  
Get your workers involved

Once you know what the risks are in your workplace, have a conversation with your workers about what you are doing to manage them. Give the Worker Hazard Assessment to all of your employees and ask them to identify any additional hazards they see in their workspace. Each worker needs to complete this form for their own job. The form contains question prompts to make sure your workers are asking the right questions. Workers will need to reference your completed Workplace Risk Assessment, so make sure it is available to them.

Completed forms will have GREAT information for your planning process.Make sure you understand all of the workers questions and concerns, and incorporate it into your Exposure Control Plan. Front-line workers' input is the key to creating a successful plan.

If workers have completed a past version of this assessment (the Field Level Risk Assessment), they do not need to complete a new one, so long as they are reviewing the document regularly and updating it as things change. They should also notify their supervisor of any updates in their assessment.

When the forms are done

These forms do not need to be submitted to the WSCC. Your workers should keep these assessments in their own file, but supervisors must review the forms, collect the information, and incorporate their concerns into your company's Workplace Risk Assessment and Exposure Control Plan. Remind your employees to stay involved, and keep an eye out for changing risks. They should review these forms regularly, and make changes as needed. During workplace inspections, the WSCC will ask to see the hazard assessments completed by your employees.

Need more help?

Your Workplace Risk Assessment will be their best reference document while completing the Worker Hazard Assessment. Ensure that you have a conversation with your workers about the risks, hazards, and changes in your workplace before they begin to fill in this form.


Step 3: Exposure Control Planning  
Know the Hazard and Risks? Start Planning...
  
                 

The Exposure Control Plan is mandated under Section 88 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations in Nunavut (Page 41-44)  and the   Northwest Territories (Page 58-62) . The Exposure Control Plan is your written safety plan for your business or organization. It should include your hazard and risk assessments, what you plan to do to reduce the risk, your training plan for workers, and your schedule to review and revise your plan.

Need Help?

The WSCC has several documents that can help you in the planning process. From a simple checklist to a detailed guide, these resources will help you verify that you have taken the correct steps to ensure the safety of your workers.
Your plan needs to fit your workplace. It can be any length, but it must: be written down, list all of the risks and hazards, and describe ways that your business plans to control these hazards.

Contact an OHS Inspector if you need help working through your plan. Nunavut businesses can contact Covid-19@wscc.nu.ca, NT businesses can contact Covid-19@wscc.nt.ca, or call 1 (800) 661-0792.


Step 4: Put your plan into action  
Build, create, and implement changes to make your workplace safer
  
               

Take your Exposure Control Plan and start putting all of the listed changes into action. Have you identified that you need a barrier to protect your staff? Install it. Does your staff need clear rules for cleaning and sanitizing? Write them down, and inform your staff. Are your staff working in a new environment? Make sure they have the tools and training in place to address safety in their new workplace.

Need help?

The WSCC has many educational resources intended for employers and workers. These tools offer accessible information, helpful reminders, and essential guides for working safely during COVID-19.
Once this step is complete, your business will be ready to open if they are authorized to do so based on your territories re-opening plan (Nunavut | Northwest Territories). When OHS Inspectors do an inspection of your workplace, they will want to see that you have implemented all changes that you identified in your Exposure Control Plan.


Step 5: Stay Up-to-Date

You and your workers should follow the most recent public health advice. Employers, supervisors and workers should also be keeping an eye open for new hazards and any part of your Exposure Control Plan that is not working effectively. Consider, adapt, and improve.

Information is changing quickly. It is important to monitor communication from your territorial government.

Nunavut:
Northwest Territories:
WSCC Publication Announcements

The WSCC is continually working on improving our resources to help employers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have completed a Workplace Risk Assessment and Worker Hazard Assessment using earlier versions of the WSCC templates, or used a different risk assessment form, you do not have to complete a new one. Just remember to review your safety plan and update it as things change.

If you need help with any step in your business's re-opening or current business operation, contact an OHS Inspector today. An inspector will be happy to help you review your assessments and planning notes, and will help you improve your plan. Nunavut businesses can contact Covid-19@wscc.nu.ca, NWT businesses can contact Covid-19@wscc.nt.ca, or call 1 (800) 661-0792.

Remember, all workers have the right to a safe workplace. It is an employer's duty to address all safety concerns in the workplace, and it is the responsibility of every worker, supervisor, and employer to participate in the process.


OFFICE CLOSURES  

WSCC Offices are closed for Canada Day on Wednesday, July 1st, and will reopen on Thursday, July 2nd at 8:30 AM. WSCC's Iqaluit Office will additionally be closed for Nunavut Day on Thursday July 9th, and will reopen on Friday July 10th at 8:30 AM.

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

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

wscc.nt.ca   /  1.800.661.0792   *   wscc.nu.ca  /  1.877.404.4407