*MANDATORY TRAINING* ALL STAFF MUST COMPLETE PREVENTING COVID-19 INFECTION IN THE WORKPLACE TRAINING
Preventing COVID-19 in the Workplace is a new course that details the initiatives that the University is undertaking to prevent COVID-19 infection in the workplace and outlines how you can contribute. Please follow the link below to access the course via Workplace Learning:
https://wpl.ubc.ca/browse/srs/courses/wpl-srs-covid
Completing this course is mandatory for all UBC and Building Operations staff to complete.
This course must be completed by all Building Operations staff by Friday August 7th
If you require help with registering for the course, please e-mail nicolas.banquero@ubc.ca to receive a step-by-step how-to guide. If you require assistance with booking a computer in our training room, please let your supervisor know as soon as possible so that we can arrange a workstation for you.
*Important – be sure you click “Sign in here” highlighted in yellow to take you to the Canvas sign-in page
*Log into Canvas with your CWL and password
Complete instructions are included in the How To Guide, please e-mail nicolas.banquero@ubc.ca to receive a How To guide if you require additional help.
REMINDER – EMPLOYEES MUST FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES WITHIN ALL CAMPUS BUILDINGS AS WELL AS THE USB AND HEADER HOUSE SAFETY PLANS
Occupying Buildings on Campus:
The new social norms brought upon us by COVID-19 require that we change well ingrained social behaviors, especially related to personal space and keeping safe distances from others. While it can be difficult to remember and enforce at times, it is very important that we continue to respect the safety and well-being of others and be diligently mindful when occupying public spaces.
Adhering to occupancy rules and maintaining a safe distance of 2m (6 feet) from others is UBC policy and needs to be enforced when you are working within all buildings on campus. Please see below for guidelines in maintaining safe physical distance from others and occupancy guidelines while completing work on campus:
- Please ensure that you are following all of the COVID-19 protocols put in place by the University while on campus (see Preventing COVID-19 INFECTION COURSE, including maintaining 2m of space between yourself and others
- Occupancy in some spaces is quite limited and It is extremely important that maximum occupancy limits are adhered to when entering spaces to complete work
- When entering a building or a space to complete work, it is very important that you:
- Look for posted maximum occupancy signage so you are aware of the space restrictions
- Open the door and check the space for occupants before entering
- If there are people in the space, ask if it is safe to enter and complete your work at this time
- If it is not safe to complete your work and proper physical distancing cannot be practiced, arrange a time that works for both the building occupants and yourself to return to the space and safely complete your work
Safety Plan:
All staff are also to follow directives outlined within our Building Operations safety plans, including new operational procedures put in place throughout each building. Methods and practices outlined in the safety plan are in accordance with guidelines set by BCCDC to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Your self-compliance with the guidelines set out in the safety plan is of the utmost importance.
The safety plan includes a review of USB and Header House operational activities and directives to ensure effective controls are in place to prevent the infection from COVID-19. These activities include, but are not limited to;
- cleaning and hygiene
- following directional arrows/traffic flow
- maintaining physical distancing in buildings and vehicles
- adhering to entrance/exit signage
- compliance with maximum occupancy limits for meeting rooms, office spaces, kitchens and washrooms.
Non-compliance with our safety plan and any other relevant COVID-19 related policies or updated building procedures may result in loss of access to a particular space and could lead to discipline.
If you have not already done so, please review the safety plan for your building on the Staff tab of the Building Operations website https://buildingoperations.ubc.ca/staff/
RESUMPTION PLAN – MODIFIED WORK SCHEDULES
As building Operation continues to review its resumption plan, we are continuing to review our schedules such that we meet our operational requirements, service levels and physical distancing guidelines. As such, the Garage will be returning to their normal operating hours (Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm and Friday 7:30am – 5:00pm). Given the number of employees, the entire Garage team will be working a modified, four day per week work schedule, to accommodate our service level requirements across campus. This schedule will go into effect on Monday, July 13th.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE: DUST MASKS VS. N95 RESPIRATORS
N95 Particulate respirators and nuisance dust masks are often confused. These masks may look similar, but they have very important differences! If you wear a respirator in the workplace, make sure you know the differences and that you are wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment. A risk assessment of work tasks will be required to determine if whether respiratory protection is needed and what level is appropriate.
If you have questions or think you need a dust mask or N95 respirator, please contact the Facilities Safety and Risk Services (SRS) at 604.822.1885. or tariq@mail.ubc.ca.
PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES – BOILER REPLACEMENT
During these uncertain times, we are still managing to move projects forward on campus. We recently lifted our new high-pressure steam boiler onto the roof of the Pharmaceutical Sciences building. All of the legwork for this project was done remotely via multiple Zoom meetings. Thank you to Project Services for supporting our division through the logistics, and to Campus and Community Planning for the street closure. Special thanks to the Operating Engineers for keeping the steam plant operational during this project, while ensuring physical distancing procedures were being followed.
KUDOS TO UTILITY WORKERS AND CUSTODIAL FOR ALL OF THE GREAT WORK THROUGHOUT RE-OCCUPANCY
In order to support campus’s re-occupancy plan, the Utility Workers have put up handwashing stickers in over 1300 washrooms and over 300 lunchrooms; elevator capacity signs in 98 buildings; and closed off water fountains in all core buildings. They are now busy with installing hand sanitizer dispensers across campus. Great work team!
In support of social distancing guidelines, all Custodial main offices have safety cones and floor decals to help guide staff on traffic flow and spacing requirements. Only one to two staff can check in/out at a time and plexiglass dividers are placed between Heads and staff members. We have also temporarily eliminated the need for staff to sign timesheets to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. Initially, we made pens available to staff and the process was for Custodians to sign their time cards, hand back the pen to the Head, who would then wipe the pen with disinfectant. It was a fairly tedious process, so we have now switched to Heads signing on behalf of the Custodians when they are receiving and handing back their keys.
Kudos to the Operations manager, assistant supervisors and heads in implementing the required changes and to the front line staff for showing their ability to quickly adapt to important changes. Well done team!
WEEKLY EMERGENCY TIP: DISASTER RESPONSE ROUTES
TIP: Avoid Disaster Response Routes if they are activated during a disaster. They are designated for use by emergency personnel only.
For information about Disaster Response Routes, visit the City of Vancouver’s website at: https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/know-the-disaster-response-routes.aspx