October 2024

FRANÇAIS | ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ

Lifting and twisting incidents can happen when lifting or carrying something heavy and twisting the body without moving your feet. In 2023, roughly 15% of all injury claims to the WSCC were due to twisting and lifting incidents.

Examples of tasks that may cause a lift and twist incident include using poor body mechanics while shovelling gravel or snow, or carrying something heavy and slipping, which causes the body to jerk to regain balance. Injuries from lifting and twisting incidents can be very painful, long-lasting, and debilitating.

The top three occupations that are exposed to twisting and lifting hazards in the north are:

• Mine workers
• Janitors, caretakers, and building superintendents
• Heavy equipment operators

For more information about preventing struck-by incidents at your workplace, visit the Safety Spotlight page.

A time loss claim is created when a worker misses work because of a work-related injury. It is one of six criteria under the Safe Workplace program.

The WSCC compares the number of time loss claims for your organization to a 5-year average amongst employers in your industry class and payroll range. You will achieve the ‘Time Loss Claim Average’ criteria under the Safe Workplace program if you keep your count below the average.

Curious to know what your Time Loss Claim count is as well as the average for your group? Check out your Safe Workplace dashboard.

For more questions about the safe workplace program, contact the Safe Workplace team by email: SafeWorkplace@wscc.nt.ca, SafeWorkplace@wscc.nu.ca, or call 1-833-315-2057.

Ready to gain leadership experience?

WSCC is looking for a self-motivated person to join the Governance Council as a Northwest Territories Worker Representative. Terms are three years, and the position is part-time and paid. Gain valuable leadership experience and help impact occupational health and safety across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. If you or someone you know has a commitment to workplace safety, please consider an application.

For more details, visit our Website.

The deadline to report your 2024 payroll revisions is November 30. You must report significant changes (25% or greater) in your payroll estimate to avoid penalty.

Report any changes by following this link: WSCC Connect.



You can find more information about payroll revision on WSCC Connect. If you have any questions on revising your payroll, contact Employer Services in the Northwest Territories at 1-800-661-0792 and in Nunavut at 1-877-404-4407.

Policy Updates

The Governance Council reviewed and approved the following policies at its September 2024 meeting:

• Policy 02.03, Personal Optional Coverage
• Policy 03.11, Allowances and Services for Severely Injured Workers
• Policy 05.05, Vocational Rehabilitation Program Allowances and Grants
• Policy 09.01, Safety Training
• Policy 09.09, Varying and Suspending Mine Health and Safety Regulations
• Policy 10.01, Doubtful Accounts and Write-Offs
• Policy 10.05, Funding Strategy

Please refer to the WSCC Policy Manual to view all WSCC policies, and the Governance Council Directives to view all governance directives.

Office Closures

All WSCC Offices are closed for Thanksgiving Day on Monday, October 14, and reopen on Tuesday, October 15, at 8:30 a.m.

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.

wscc.nt.ca 1.800.661.0792 | wscc.nu.ca 1.877.404.4407