Top Stories
WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR SAFETY? PROTECT YOURSELVES FROM THE SUN AND HARMFUL UV RADIATION
Of the 1.5 million outdoor workers in Canada, about 900,000 are outside at least 6 hours a day. As an outdoor worker, you are often working outside when solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is strongest. Spending lunch and breaks out of the sun can have a significant impact on lowering your exposure.
UV radiation from the sun is the primary cause of skin cancer, which is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada and the rates are increasing. As an outdoor worker, you are up to 2.5 to 3.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with skin cancers.
In addition to skin cancer, long term exposure to UV from the sun can lead to eye damage, including age-related macular degeneration; cataracts; eye cancer; and tissue growth on the white of the eye. While the risk of skin cancer and eye damage due to solar UV exposure, they are largely preventable.
Here are six key actions that you can take to protect your skin and eyes from UV exposure from the sun:
- Cover up – wear loose clothing, long sleeves and pants;
- Protect your eyes – use UV protective eyewear;
- Cover your head, neck and ears – wear a wide brimmed hat or hard hat with a brim and use a neck flap;
- Take your breaks in the shade – get out of the sun when you can, especially between 11 am – 3 pm, when UV is the strongest;
- Use sunscreen and lip balm – use at least an SPF 30 broad spectrum, water – resistant sunscreen, and don’t forget to reapply;
- Be skin safe – report changes in skin spots or moles to your doctor as soon as possible – early detection is important.
WATCH OUT FOR ROAD/SIDEWALK CLOSURES MAY 15TH AND 16TH
There will be road closures on Applied Science Lane by Beatty Biodiversity due to DES leak repairs. Plan your route accordingly.
Scaffolding will be erected on the sidewalk around the Chemical Biological Engineering building. Avoid parking in the marked areas.
SPRING GRADUATION CEREMONIES MAY 23 – 31:WATCH OUT FOR INCREASED TRAFFIC AND CLOSURES
UBC Congregation Ceremonies will be held at the Chan Centre on May 23 – 21. Expect to see high traffic volume along the roadways. To ensure graduates and their visitors have a stress-free and enjoyable ceremony, let’s try not to photo-bomb their pictures with Building Ops service vehicles.
2018 UBC TECHNICAL GUIDELINES NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
The UBC Technical Guidelines are design and construction standards for new institutional buildings and major renovation projects on UBC campus. Submissions from various stakeholders have been approved by the Technical Guidelines Steering Committee and have been published online.
Each year, there is an opportunity to make improvements to the details within the guidelines. Building Operations’ teams review lessons learned on past projects and make a request to the committee to modify the guidelines with an end goal of working with project teams to deliver a new asset that we can effectively maintain. In the 2018 Technical Guidelines, many improvements were made in the mechanical plumbing section. A significant accomplishment also achieved was to include a guideline for rooftop equipment structures to be included on buildings with large amounts of mechanical/electrical equipment. We have a number of buildings with rooftop equipment that is exposed to the elements which make it difficult for crews to maintain and reduce the lifespan and reliability of the equipment. This change in the guidelines will apply to new buildings that have not yet had their design completed which means we will see a positive impact in future builds.
These improvements to the Technical Guidelines will help facilitate preventive maintenance. The 2018 Technical Guidelines can be viewed at http://www.technicalguidelines.ubc.ca/.
CUSTODIAL STAFF TO USE USB PARKING LOT TO DROP OFF THEIR KEYS ON A TRIAL BASIS
Is your Building Ops assigned vehicle parking spot located at the front parking lot at USB?
As often these spots are available during the day, Custodial staff will trial using the non-electric vehicle spots, pictured here, to drop off their keys at the end of the day. Starting next week, you will see cars parked from 2:45-3:00 pm each day. Should this become an operational issue for you, please send your comments through your manager so that we can see if this option works for the operational teams located in USB.
WANT TO KNOW WHERE TO FIND OLGA, MICHELLE AND PAUL? CHECK OUT THEIR OFFICES IN STORES
As you may all be aware, Stores team has filled its vacant positions. We have also modified our space to accommodate our new staff; Olga Arlitt, Michelle McArthur and Paul Harris.
The blue cage has been relocated to our mezzanine and the area cleared
And now, we welcome the rest of the team to their new offices.
CENTRALIZED MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CMMS) IS NOW CALLED ENTERPRISE MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMMS)
Our Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) will now be referred to as Enterprise Maintenance Management System (EMMS). Market research has highlighted a number of different types of systems from different vendors which could meet our needs. Enterprise aptly fits our needs because it represents the potential to support more than one department/unit.
In our April 10 issue, we announced that our goal is to present the results of our market research to the Information Technology Advisory Council (ITAC) for their approval to proceed. We are happy to share that the EMMS project has now gained ‘Concept’ approval from the Information Technology Advisory Council (ITAC) to progress to Provost and Executive committee level for concept approval.
Our target go-live date is April 2020.
INSURANCE DIRECT BILLING NOW AVAILABLE AT THE WELLNESS CENTRE
The Centre for Occupational Health, Safety & Wellbeing and Allan McGavin Physiotherapy are excited to announce that they are able to direct bill. If you have extended health insurance from any of the following carriers, please bring your information with you to your next appointment. Our software program is compatible with the following insurance providers: Pacific Blue Cross, Great West Life, Standard Life, Sun Life, Manulife, Desjardins, Chambers of Commerce, Cowan, Industrial Alliance, Johnson Inc., and Maximum Benefit.
Contact Linda Roseborough at 604 827 0739 if you require more information.
MAY IS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH
Bert Tempel, Head Metal Worker, on his BMW R1100GS
The month of May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. In the last few years, there has been an increase in number of crashes and number of injuries have gone up as well. As we see those on two wheels out enjoying a cruise in the warm weather, we urge you to be aware and stay safe on the roads.
Here are a few tips motorcyclists can take when out on the road.
- Try to be highly visible. Ride with your headlight on.
- Wear the proper riding gear, a helmet, eye protection and a jacket.
- Be bright and visible.
- Maneuver intersections safely, especially when oncoming traffic is turning left.
- NEVER assume a driver has seen you. Stay out of blind spots.
- Keep your distance and reduce speed.
Here are some tips for drivers on the road.
- Always look twice when changing lanes and at intersections. Make sure there isn’t a motorcycle or moped in your blind spot.
- Watch for signals. Sometimes a motorcycle is hard to see.
- Leave your phone alone.
- Keep your distance. Do not crowd them out.
Motorcycle safety is everyone’s collective responsibility.
CHECK OUT THESE JOB POSTINGS
Know anyone interested in working in Building Operations? Let them know about our current job postings.
#29871 Weekends Evening Service Worker
#29873 Evening Part-Time Service Worker
#29874 Weekends Evening Service Worker
#29802 Labourer 3 (Mech Room)
#29803 Labourer 3 (Mech Room)
#29860 Project Coordinator, Electrical Utilities
#28598 Trades 2 – Plumber
For full listings, check out designated job postings boards or visit UBC Careers.
Quick Updates
SINGLE ALTERNATING TRAFFIC ON EAST MALL IN FRONT OF IKE BARBER DUE TO DES REPAIRS MAY 14TH AND 15TH
BIKE TO WORK WEEK MAY 28 – JUNE 3
NPS SCORED DECREASED TO 79% WITH 6 NEW PROMOTERS AND 1 NEW DETRACTOR
FRANCOIS DESMARAIS BLUE ZONE FM FROM MAY 7 – JUNE 22