Our Success is No Accident | Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Fourteen hundred and thirty-four days, or nearly four years...that’s how long it’s been since a Yukon Energy employee has missed a shift as a result of a workplace injury.

It’s a statistic that Yukon Energy’s Manager of Health and Safety, Melanie Pettefer, is very proud of. “It’s huge, not just for Yukon Energy but for any utility, given our industry’s potential for exposure to hazards.”
 
In Melanie’s mind, there are a number of factors that have contributed to our favourable safety record. For one thing, there’s been a shift in mindset. “I think we have a more positive safety culture now than we did a few years ago,” she says. “There seems to be a shared concern among the staff for everyone’s safety.” That can be seen, in part, at the company’s Joint Health and Safety Committee level. The committee, made up of both managers and union employees, is very active and now works from its own Terms of Reference so everyone knows what Occupational Health and Safety and Yukon Energy can expect of them.
 
Melanie also credits strong leadership, saying that a visible commitment to safety from Senior Management has made a big difference.
 
Yukon Energy took a giant step forward in terms of safety when, last November, we obtained our Certificate of Recognition (COR). The COR is issued to employers who develop and implement health and safety programs that meet established standards set out by the Northern Safety Network and the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board. We’ve now taken that further and are requiring any construction contractors bidding on projects over $500,000 in 2010 to be COR certified. The dollar value threshold will be reduced to $100,000 in 2011 and beginning in 2012 it will be a requirement for all construction contractors to have their COR or Small Employer COR.
 
"When we started working towards COR almost two years ago, there was a lack of written procedures and safe work practices,” Melanie says. “The COR process has forced us to identify our deficiencies, correct them, and have them independently audited afterwards.”
 
Even with COR, Yukon Energy continues to make improvements aimed at making our workplace the safest it can possibly be. For instance, we are developing a system that will show how we prioritize hazards. We have completely dusted off our Confined Space Program and are also producing a set of safety rules that will be posted in all our work areas. And we are revising all of our policies to reflect our current Health and Safety Management program.
 
One of the things that helps keep Yukon Energy on track is our affiliation with groups such as the Canadian Electricity Association and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering. “National groups such as these help us keep current with safety,” Melanie says. “It’s a great feeling to know that we’re holding our own and in some cases even exceeding what some other large Canadian utilities are doing.”
 
Melanie points out that change is difficult, but it was and is needed, and she’s grateful for the support she’s received from her colleagues as she’s worked to bring about this change. “I can’t do it alone. Only together can we make Health and Safety work for everyone at Yukon Energy, but that’s what’s starting to happen here now and it’s very gratifying to see.”
 

 

 

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Getting to the COR of the Matter | Friday, March 26, 2010

Are you a contrator who does work for us? Then here's some information that's important for you to know about.

You will soon be required to be Certificate of Recognition (COR) certified. The COR is issued to employers who develop and implement health and safety programs that meet the highest safety standards as set out by the Northern Safety Network and the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board. 

Yukon Energy became COR certified last year. Now, in continuing our efforts to make Yukon Energy as safe a workplace as it can possibly be, we are phasing in the COR requirement as part of our tendering and contracting process.

Phase I will become effective July 1, 2010 and applies to construction contracts valued at $500,000 or more.

Phase II begins July 1, 2011 and applies to construction contracts valued at $100,000 or more.

Phase III begins July 1, 2012 and applies to construction contracts of any value.

For more information, please call (867) 393-5335 or 393-5353 or send an email to melaine.pettefer@yec.yk.ca.

 

 

 

 

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Be Prepared! | Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Winter storms, power outages, floods...no one likes to have to deal with unexpected situations like this. But the more planning you do and the better prepared you are prior to any emergency, the easier it will be to cope once one does occur. That's why we have produced a Yukon Emergency Preparedness booklet. If you live in Yukon, watch for a paper copy in English to arrive in your mailbox in the next few weeks. French copies will be available upon request.

We would like to thank Manitoba Hydro, Yukon's Emergency Measures Organization and the Yukon government's French Language Services Directorate for their assistance with this project.

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Preparing for a Winter Power Outage | Monday, November 23, 2009

As promised, here are some tips regarding what to do before, during, and after a winter power outage.

Before an Outage

  • Prepare an emergency kit that includes candles, matches, flashlights, a battery-powered or wind-up portable radio, a first aid kit and other basics. Make sure everyone in your house knows where the kit is kept.
  • Stock up on food that won't spoil, like canned and dried goods and energy bars. Have a manual operated can opener handy.
  • Check flashlights and battery-powered portable radios regularly to ensure that they are working, and you have extra batteries. A radio is an important source of weather and emergency information during a storm. A radio in a vehicle can be useful if you don't have a portable radio in your home.
  • Have emergency heating equipment and fuel (a gas fireplace, wood burning stove or fireplace) so you can keep at least one room livable. Be sure the room is well ventilated.
  • Make sure your home is properly insulated. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows to keep cold air out.
  • Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside to provide insulation.
  • Know how to shut off water valves.
  • If you have medication that requires refrigeration, check with your pharmacist for guidance on proper storage during an extended outage.
  • Review the process for manually operating an electric garage door.
  • Have an emergency plan and an alternate place to stay that will have a back-up heat source. Ensure everyone in your household is familiar with the emergency plan.
  • Invest in a generator if you can. It can make a huge difference in allowing you to be able to use the essential appliances in your home.
  •  Purchase inexpensive, small packets of hand and foot warmers. These packets self heat when shaken or squeezed and will warm you up in a power outage.

During an Outage

  • Turn off all tools, appliances and electronic equipment and turn the thermostat(s) down to minimum. Power can be restored more easily when there isn't a heavy load on the electrical system. By unplugging all sensitive electronic equipment (TVs, stereo, DVD player, microwave oven, computer, cordless telephone, answering machine, garage door opener, etc.) you can protect against possible voltage irregularities that can occur when power is being restored.
  • Leave one light switch on, so you know when power is restored.
  • Dress in warm layers. Wear a hat and mittens (mittens are better than gloves).
  • Snowdrifts can be used as a makeshift freezer for food. (Be aware of attracting animals).
  • Snow can be melted for an additional water source.
  • Turn on your bathroom and kitchen water taps slightly, allowing water to drip. This will help prevent pipes from freezing.
  • If possible, avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer door. Food can stay cold in a full refrigerator for up to 24 hours, and in a well-packed freezer for 48 hours (24 hours if it is half-packed).
  • Don't use charcoal or gas barbeques indoors. They emit deadly poisonous gases.
  • If you have to evacuate because of a prolonged outage, turn off your main breaker.

After an Outage

  • Switch on the main breaker if it was turned off.
  • Let the electrical system stabilize before reconnecting appliances. Turn the thermostats up first, then reconnect the refrigerator and freezer. Wait 10 to 15 minutes before reconnecting other appliances.
  • Be extra cautious if you go outside to inspect for damage after a storm. Downed or hanging electrical wires can be hidden by snowdrifts, trees or debris, and could be live. Never attempt to touch or moved downed lines. Keep children and pets away from them.
  • Check with/help neighbors.
  • If pipes have frozen during the outage, remove any insulation, completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they are most exposed to the cold. A hand-held hair fryer, used with caution, also works well.
  • Inspect the food that is in your fridge and freezer for spoilage. If in doubt, don't eat it.

For more information, contact the Yukon's Emergency Measures Organization.

 

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Safety Comes First | Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Yukon Energy recently received some good news. We have attained our Certificate of Recognition (COR) for workplace safety. The COR is issued to employers who develop and implement health and safety programs that meet established standards set out by the Northern Safety Network and the Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board.

A COR recognizes that Yukon Energy Corporation’s health and safety management system has been evaluated by an independent certified auditor and found to meet industry standards. The audit was carried out at Yukon Energy’s Dawson City, Mayo and Whitehorse operations. 

There are 80 employees at Yukon Energy, and many of them work at high risk jobs. That's why it was important to us that we get independent confirmation that we were taking all precautions to keep our staff safe. 

Our slogan? Safety is a part of every decision we make and every action we take.

 

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You Asked… | Tuesday, November 3, 2009

 We received an inquiry the other day from a Yukoner who asked about our contingency plans in the event of an influenza pandemic. This person was concerned that if a substantial number of Yukon Energy employees are off work because of the flu, and there’s a power outage, it will take much longer than usual to restore power.
 
It’s a good question. The short answer is that Yukon Energy will continue to provide essential electrical services to our customers throughout any pandemic flu period. That includes restoring power as quickly and safely as possible during outages.
 
We have a comprehensive influenza pandemic plan that identifies back-up personnel in all essential areas. The plan outlines how we can continue providing Yukoners with essential services. It also lays out practices aimed at protecting as much as possible the health of our staff and customers. 
 
Do you have a question for Yukon Energy? Let us know and we'll do our best to answer it to your satisfaction.
 
 

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