HEAT STRESS SAFETY & NEW COURSE
As the temperatures are anticipated to rise again this week, a new Heat Stress Awareness course has been developed by Safety & Risk Services to increase your awareness of the risk factors and associated heat disorders related to heat stress. The course will also identify controls to protect yourself against heat stress.
New Heat Stress Awareness course
https://wpl.ubc.ca/browse/srs/operational-safety/courses/wpl-safe-to13
Heat stress safety: https://srs.ubc.ca/hotweather
If you see someone suffering from too much heat, call 9-1-1 and help them cool off by applying water to their face and neck until emergency services arrive. You can also call 8-1-1 to speak to a nurse. Interpretation services are available on these phone numbers.
For more information, resources and references to help you identify signs and symptoms of heat stress, and guidance to prevent heat exposure, please visit Safety & Risk Services.
RESOURCES ON WILDFIRE SMOKE HEALTH & SAFETY
In light of the recent wildfire in BC, find resources about air quality health and safety awareness, the risks of wildfire smoke, and the best ways to protect yourself on the Safety & Risk Services website.
General Guidance
- Identify and evaluate occupations, areas or tasks where the potential for exposure to wildfire smoke exists.
- Become familiarized with the local Air Quality Health Index for obtaining health risk levels. Note: BC will release air quality advisories to help determine and implement appropriate risk controls.
- Inform workers about the hazards and exposure signs and symptoms of wildfire smoke, and train them on how to minimize exposure to wildfire smoke.
- Have the necessary materials, tools and equipment, PPE and other resources required to minimize exposure to wildfire smoke.
- Employees who have concerns about workplace exposure to wildfire smoke and their health should contact Occupational & Preventive Health.
For more resources and guidance, please visit the Safety & Risk Services website: https://srs.ubc.ca/wildfire
UBC Emergency Preparedness: https://ready.ubc.ca/take-action/fire/
DRINKING WATER FOUNTAINS AND BOTTLE-FILLING STATIONS ARE REOPENING
Starting mid-August 2021, the Facilities team will begin to proceed with un-bagging and flushing all the drinking water fountains and bottle-filling stations across the UBC Vancouver campus. Flushing the water will remove any stagnant water from the building’s pipe network system to ensure the water is kept fresh and the stations are ready for use. As a health and safety precaution, the stations have been taped and closed off since the start of the pandemic.
For more information on drinking water at UBC, please visit Safety & Risk Services: https://srs.ubc.ca/environment/drinkingwater/
CAMPUS SECURITY WILL BE ATTENDING TO FIRST AID CALLS
As of July 2, Campus Security is attending to all First Aid calls for faculty, staff, students, and visitors on the UBC Vancouver campus. Campus Security Patrols Officers are now Occupational First Aid Level 2 (OFA2) level certified and will respond and provide initial care and implement any critical interventions up to the scope of their training until paramedics arrive on scene. All life-threatening emergencies should continue to be directed to 911.
As part of becoming an integrated Safety & Risk Services team and elevating the profile for Campus Security, part of that journey includes taking on 24/7 First Aid responsibilities for students, faculty, staff and visitors within our campus boundaries. In January, Campus Security is hoping to begin the process of integrating with the student medical response team to improve the quality of services for a safe campus environment and engaged team members. More details to come later this year.
For First Aid, please contact 604-822-4444
In the event of a medical emergency, first call 911 and then call First Aid.
VCH VACCINATION SITE AT PHARMSCI CLOSED ON JULY 30
On Tuesday, July 27, 2021, the provincial government announced the Vax for BC campaign, announcing that “the Province will gradually refocus its vaccine efforts from mass clinics onto programs targeting the hardest to reach people. In the weeks ahead, B.C.’s vaccine strategy will shift toward more local public health clinics, community outreach efforts, mobile programs and pop-up clinics.”
To ensure vaccines are accessible to incoming students (both international and domestic), faculty, and staff who have not yet been vaccinated and wish to complete their immunization series, UBC is in discussion with clinical leads from Vancouver Coastal Health and are currently working through some operational dependencies.
Learn more on the Safety & Risk Services website: https://srs.ubc.ca/2021/07/28/vch-vaccination-site-at-pharmaceutical-sciences-building-is-closing-on-july-30/
DEAN GREGORY JOINS BUILDING OPERATIONS AS THE MUNICIPAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Dean Gregory will be joining Building Operations as the Municipal Landscape Architect on August 30, 2021. Dean’s journey with the university began 13 years ago as the Campus Landscape Architect in Campus & Community Planning (C&CP). Dean has been instrumental in transforming both the UBC Point Grey and Okanagan campuses through the planning and implementing of extensive public realm plans.
Read more on the Building Operations website: https://buildingoperations.ubc.ca/2021/07/27/dean-gregory-joins-building-operations-as-the-municipal-landscape-architect/
MANAGING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
HR has collected mental health resources to help you manage your ups and downs. Our HR representative Arvind Kang (akang03@mail.ubc.ca) and Matt Furgal (matthew.furgal@ubc.ca) is always available for a confidential conversation.
- Self-guided: Self and Community Care: Building skills to manage stress: Learn to integrate relaxation and your personal needs into your daily life in this self-paced webinar.
- Self-guided: Wellbeing in the Workplace: Learn tools and skills to support wellbeing while working within changing environments in this self-paced webinar.
- Aug 3 – September 3: Weekly mindfulness sessions: Join your community to practice mindfulness to improve your ability to manage stress and feel more connected while working from home.
- August 10 (Part 1) & 18 (Part 2): Understanding Mental Health: This session aims to increase mental health literacy while providing tools and skills to respond effectively in a caring and respectful way.
BRIGHT IDEAS: WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
We are always look forward to hearing your input on operational efficiencies as well as any new and fresh ideas you have to share with the department. A Bright Idea submission can also lead to winning one of our staff awards at the end of the year!
We encourage everyone in Building Operations to submit their Bright Ideas that contribute to the success of our five departmental strategic priorities:
- Employee Engagement
- Leadership Development
- Asset Stewardship
- Innovation
- Customer Experience
Please visit https://buildingoperations.ubc.ca/staff/bright-ideas to learn more and submit your Bright Idea. If your Bright Idea is selected, you will be contacted and possibly asked for a follow up meeting to further expand on your idea.
WEEKLY EMERGENCY TIP: KNOW THE RISKS, MAKE A PLAN, GET A KIT
Knowing the potential hazards that exist in your area, making a plan for your family and getting an emergency kit are the foundation of your emergency preparedness.
For everything you need to know about preparing for a disaster, visit Government of Canada’s Get Prepared website at Get Prepared: Home
UBC Emergency Preparedness: Ready.ubc.ca
Government of Canada’s Get Prepared: www.getprepared.gc.ca