Building Operations Weekly

Top Stories

 

Asset Stewardship

Winter Is Coming…Back-Up Vehicles Safely

As we enter the darker winter months with more severe weather conditions, here is a reminder and tips for safely backing up vehicles. Studies by the National Safety Council have shown a disproportionate number of collisions take place when reversing, estimating that 25 percent of accidents can be attributed to poor reversing techniques while only representing 1 percent of overall driving time.

Vehicle Operation of Building Operations I-C-07 Vehicle Fleet Management Operations Policy  states using a high degree of caution when backing up (i.e. walking around vehicle before backing to check for obstacles, backing out of traffic rather than into traffic whenever possible, using a passenger to provide assistance whenever possible). Also stated in this section is “where practicable, back into a parking space to allow for maximum visibility upon exiting the space”.

It would be best practice to use a spotter while backing up a vehicle when a passenger or co-worker on site does exist. The policy does not specifically state that a spotter is required but recommends one should be utilized whenever possible. This is because there are/will be scenarios where a spotter is not available.

Reverse cameras are a standard addition to our fleet renewal purchases, but do not eliminate the need to check for obstacles and/or use a spotter.

 

Data Security Requirements for UBC Staff Is Mandatory

The online Privacy and Information Security – Fundamentals training is now mandatory. All UBC faculty, staff, student employees, and contractors who use UBC electronic information and systems are now required to take this training. Exceptions may be made for those who have already taken equivalent training.

Also approved was the mandate to encrypt all mobile devices that are used by UBC faculty, staff, student employees, and contractors to access UBC electronic information. This mandate covers all other mobile devices that are used to access UBC electronic information, whether those devices are UBC-supplied or personally-owned. UBC’s Information Security Standard #5 (Encryption Requirements) will be revised to reflect this change.

Both of these mandates signify our commitment to address ongoing threats to UBC’s data. Information security is everyone’s responsibility at UBC, and we must all take these steps to safeguard our data.

To take the online Privacy and Information Security – Fundamentals training or to get instructions on how to encrypt your device, please visit UBC’s Privacy Matters website.

Should you require assistance from our Cybersecurity team, please contact Don Thompson, Chief Information Security Officer, at don.thompson@ubc.ca.

 

EMMS Update: Request for Proposals Now Open to Vendors

Over the last 8 months the project is pleased to have achieved a number of key milestones and numerous approvals from the Executive and Board, all happening prior to even selecting a Vendor. The Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open to any vendor to put forward their proposals of how they meet UBC and Building Operations’ needs. Vendors will be shortlisted when RFP closes on November 20th. The successful vendors will be invited to undertake demonstrations in January 2019. Stay tuned for more updates.

 

Leadership Development

Check Out www.hr.ubc.ca/careers for Current Building Ops Job Postings

Know anyone interested in working in Building Operations? Let them know about our current job postings

  • 31339 Millwright
  • 31703 Operations/Project Manager – Change Management
  • 31698 Weekends – Night Service Worker
  • 31269 Labourer 3 – Labourer Division
  • 31724 Trades 3 – Electrician
  • 31696 Evening – Part-Time Service Worker
  • 31697 Weekends – Night Service Worker
  • 31694 Evening – Full-Time Service Worker
  • 31695 Evening – Full-Time Service Worker
  • 31725 Trades 3 – Electrician
  • 31277 Labourer 3 – Hard Landscape
  • 31456 Utility Worker
  • 31646 Evening – Full-Time Service Worker

For full listings, check out designated job postings boards or visit UBC Careers.

 

Customer Experience

Leaking Condition Prevented Thanks to the Operating Engineers

An Operating Engineer inspection revealed a leaking condition on the feed water drain system for the humidification boilers at Pharmacy (and Life Sciences). The Sub-Head OE realized the severity of the leak and discussed with the Steamfitters their availability to perform the repair work over the weekend along with some other planned work. The Facilities Manager streamlined and confirmed the work with the building clients. The work proved well worth the effort and cost as the schedule 40 pipe has deteriorated which may lead to an inevitable catastrophic failure.

This underlines the importance of Mechanical Operations inspection strategy moving forward in developing our Preventive Maintenance Plans. These OE inspections reveal potential failure conditions, and if we pay attention to them, we can address the failure condition before a high impact to the clients and damage to infrastructure occurs.  A planned shutdown is always better than an unplanned one.  Well done OE’s keep up the good work!

 

Employee Engagement

Bright Ideas Call for Evaluation Committee Members

On October 9 we re-launched Bright Ideas encouraging everyone in Building Operations to submit a bright idea or a staff excellence nomination. Visit https://buildingoperations.ubc.ca/staff/bright-ideas/ to learn more or go to https://buildingoperations.ubc.ca/staff/staff-recognition/ and fill out the online form.

Want to be a member of the Evaluation Committee? We are looking for 2 – 3 staff members from every unit in Building Operations to be a member of the Bright Ideas Evaluation Committee. Let your manager know or email Caroline Soriano at caroline.soriano@ubc.ca by Friday, November 2, 2018.

 

SHHS United Way Furniture Safe Is Now On

Please support the Student Housing and Hospitality Services’ United Way campaign by sharing this with your colleagues and friends.

For purchasing information please contact SHHS Facilities and Building Services at 604 822 4911, between 8am and 3pm. All purchases can be picked up at Gage parking lot.

Gage Reno Furniture, AS IS:

TV (Sony & LG) $50

Night Stands       $10

Coffee Tables     $10

Kitchen Tables   $20

 

Come Choose Your Favorite Pumpkin Tomorrow, October 31

Come down and see the kids from Cariboo Daycare parade their best Halloween costumes as they go Trick or Treating down the USB hallway. While they get to choose their favourite carved pumpkin, so can you. As you check out the display, you are welcome to enjoy coffee and pumpkin pie. Come….if you dare….

 

Still Accepting Registration for Kids to Work Day

Have you submitted your child’s registration form? It’s not too late. Facilities, Student Housing & Hospitality Services and UBC Community Services are encouraging all parents with children in Grade 9 to bring them to work for the day on November 14, 2018. Registration is open until October 26, 2018. For more details or to register, contact Caroline Soriano at caroline.soriano@ubc.ca or at 604.822.4178.

 

Come Enjoy Coffee and Treats on November 2 to Celebrate Thrive Week

Mental health is the capacity of each and all of us to feel, think, and act in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face. Our ability to live, learn, work, and support one another at UBC depends on our mental health and resilience. UBC is committed to increasing the mental health literacy of our community. Explore your path to mental health during Thrive week, October 29 to November 2, 2018. On November 2, at morning coffee, 9AM, we celebrate Thrive Week.

Although this exploration will be different for everyone, research around physical and mental health consistently points to five ways that can help everyone foster and maintain mental health. We call these the Thrive 5.

Students, staff and faculty are invited to learn more about the Thrive 5 and to check out the Thrive Events Calendar to get involved.

 

Quick Updates

 

Bike to Work Week October 29 – November 4