Did you know that more than 70% of lifting injuries in the NWT and Nunavut were caused by a sudden reaction while lifting a heavy object? Twisting your body while moving a heavy weight can lead to serious muscle and joint injuries and, in the worst case, could even be debilitating for the longer term.

Luckily, there are a few simple ways to minimize the risk of injuries while lifting. Remember to keep your back straight and your shoulders aligned with your hips. Keep the object you are carrying close to your body, pivot your feet when you want to turn and move by taking small steps. Before lifting, you should also take the time to have a look around to make sure your pathway is not obstructed so that your ability to move won’t be hindered.

Warming up and stretching is not just for elite athletes. Muscles contract as they lose heat, getting tighter and increasing the risk of injuries. Remember to warm up next time you are about to carry or move a heavy load, especially if you are working in the cold.

Want to learn more about safe lifting practices? Have a look at WSCC’s Safety Spotlight page to learn how to keep your back and joints safe.

Accidents involving vehicles or mobile equipment cause serious injury or death in the workplace every year.

Walking around a vehicle (called a circle check) to do some basic checks before turning it on is a simple measure that will help prevent such incidents. You can perform this task before taking the wheel by starting from the driver’s door, making your way around the rear of the vehicle and then advancing all the way to the front. While you proceed with this inspection, keep an eye for any damage on the equipment or hazards around it, whether it’s a deflated tire, a shattered glass bottle, a broken taillight or a child at play. Do not rely exclusively on the backup camera as it has blind spots that could hide hazards.

If you implement a safety check requirement for any vehicle used in your organization, you might want to provide the driver with a safety checklist that must be completed and signed before using the vehicle.

To learn more about circle checks, please visit WSCC’s website. Check out the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) to view an example of a vehicle checklist.

COVID-19 infections in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut are still commonly occurring and will continue to occur for the foreseeable future. If you haven’t done so recently, it might be time to review your Exposure Control Plan, including your COVID-19 Workplace Risk Assessment and update it if necessary. It’s the responsibility of every employer to establish and maintain safety measures that will provide staff with a safe workplace and to make sure those measures are applied.

Monitor your territorial government website to stay up-to-date about the COVID-19 situation (Northwest Territories and Nunavut).

Visit our COVID-19 Resources page to learn how to provide a safe workplace for your employees. If you have questions, reach out to the WSCC today.

WSCC’s Offices are closed for Labour day, on September 5, and will reopen on Tuesday, September 6.

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.