Northland Utilities Wins WCB Safety Award

June 28 2003

Northland Utilities was recognized for its safety programs by the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) which held a workplace safety contest during North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) week in May. Employers from across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut were encouraged to enter the Employer Recognition Contest and submit details of their ongoing and NAOSH week staff and/or public safety and health activities.

“It was quite an honour to be chosen by the WCB. Our team takes health and safety seriously. We were very pleased to be selected. It’s great to see some rewards for our work. I think we will be doing this again,” said Jerome Babyn, manager, Northland Utilities. The Yellowknifer, July 18, 2003.

This year’s NAOSH submission focused on initiatives implemented by NUL to reduce risk to young workers and prepare them for the future. In early 2003 a comprehensive and consolidated new workers’ orientation program was introduced. This full day program provides thorough health and safety information for these workers – proper use of protective gear, safe use of equipment and tools, noise protections, health and safety standards/acts/regulations and much more. In addition, there is a 30 day follow up to confirm that young workers have correctly understood and retained the information and offers them the opportunity to ask questions that may have arisen on the job.

The company has also created educational programs for teachers to use in the classroom. Three programs which simply explain the basic principles of electricity have been designed for students in grades four through six. A teacher’s guide and activity modules for the students are also included. The site is updated and revised on a regular basis.

Northland Utilities also participated in a number of community-oriented activities during NAOSH week in order to communicate its Health, Safety and Environment commitment:

1) invited contractors to attend a High Voltage Display

2) partnered with inspectors from the Electrical Inspections Department who used our Low Voltage table top display to demonstrate the importance of electrical safety to the public

3) introduced the 7 Steps to Electrical Safety

Northland Utilities offers a number of programs, activities and initiatives to promote the importance of occupational health and safety to its employees, contractors, consumers and the public including: ongoing safety training and annual review of training needs for employees; the implementation of a new Health, Safety and Environment Management System; performance of job safety analysis and the creation of a back-up emergency plan; publication of a variety of brochures of a range of electricity topics; presentations about electrical safety at trade shows and schools; and an informative and interactive web site.

Northland Utilities provides distribution, transmission and generation of electricity throughout the NWT and is dedicated to fulfilling our responsibility to keep our employees, customers and people in the community safe and healthy.