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Please note that the Environmental Services Facilities (ESF) will be closed starting December 19, 2022 until January 3, 2023. The last day of pick-ups from academic departments will be December 16. There will be no hazardous waste pick-ups during this break.

UBC has updated the COVID-19 Campus Rules to reflect the recent Provincial Health Orders. There are currently no province-wide restrictions at this time. All students, faculty, staff, and others must check themselves for COVID-19 symptoms prior to engaging in in-person UBC activities on UBC Premises.

Starting October 11, 2022, Influenza (flu) vaccines will be available at community pharmacies across British Columbia. Book your flu vaccine through the provincial government’s Get Vaccinated system and locate a clinic on ImmunizeBC. For members of the UBC Community, there are pharmacies on campus where you will be able to receive your influenza vaccine.

Safety & Risk Services within VP Finance & Operations (VPFO) in collaboration with VP Human Resources (VPHR), and UBC Information Technology (UBC IT) are launching a pilot project in VPHR and VPFO to increase compliance with required training, as mandated by legislation and UBC policies.   

Help increase the campus community’s resilience, emergency awareness and preparedness by joining us on September 6-8. Find our Emergency Preparedness booth on Imagine UBC at Main Mall on September 6, and Ride the Quake Cottage, an earthquake simulator at University Commons outside the Nest on September 7 and 8.

A heat warning has been issued this week for Metro Vancouver — make plans for you and your loved ones to stay cool during the day. Daytime high temperatures of 29 to 35 degrees Celsius inland and near 27 degrees Celsius near the water. Early morning low temperatures of 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. Cooling centres and temporary water features are open on the UBC Vancouver campus.

Shannon joined Safety & Risk Services in 2020, playing a key role in minimizing the impact and risk on UBC from loss or damage to its physical assets and from third-party liability allegations. As Director, Shannon will continue to be responsible for the management of the university’s comprehensive insurance portfolio, and act as the leader and key expert with respect to insurance policies and related loss prevention programs.

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for Metro Vancouver for the rest of today June 27, 2022 with inland temperatures reaching 34 degrees. Given the current high temperatures, we wanted to provide some resources and information to help you stay cool and safe.

Information on ending isolation if you tested positive and are managing your illness at home have been posted to the Return to Campus and Contact Tracing section of our website. Self-isolation essentially means keeping away from others to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Driving on UBC campuses presents some challenges with pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders, and vehicles of all types continuously present and moving through a small geographic area. We have put together some basic safety guidelines to ensure a safe campus, and remember, the pedestrian always has the right of way.

As of May 1, 2022, UBC is transitioning from COVID-19 Safety Plans to a Communicable Disease Prevention Framework in alignment with the BC Centre for Disease Control, WorkSafeBC, and Public Health Guidance for Post-Secondary Institutions. This means the university will replace the seven institutional plans, with a Communicable Disease Prevention Framework to cover all UBC activities.

As there are now signs of further Omicron variants and increased case numbers, experts have indicated that BC is about to enter into a sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of these factors, UBC has made the decision to maintain the requirement to wear masks until June 30, 2022.

Public Health make regular updates to their recommendations about contact tracing based on current infection rates, and information gathered about the spread of COVID-19 variants, such as Omicron and Delta. If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19, visit BCCDC’s COVID-19 Treatments webpage to see if you may benefit from COVID-19 treatment.

In his new role as Senior Advisor, Nick will lead a team to continue to develop, promote and implement the occupational health and safety program for the Faculty of Medicine.

The latest Public Health Order indicate that while face coverings will be optional for people in all indoor public settings, individual organizations can choose to continue to require mask wearing on their premises. As such, UBC will continue with the current approach, requiring masks to be worn in public indoor spaces on both campuses, until the end of the 2021/22 Winter Session on April 30, 2022.

Safety & Risk Services has updated the UBC Campus Rules and COVID-19 Safety Plans to reflect the recent Provincial Health Orders.

As of March 1, 2022, UBC’s required COVID-19 Mandatory Rapid Testing Program has concluded. Proof of vaccination declarations are only required for the purposes of compliance with Provincial Health Orders.

UBC will be providing a supply of medical grade masks to all students, faculty, and staff starting February 7th. A supply will be provided to Faculties and Departments. Additionally, UBC representatives on campus will be handing out packages of medical grade masks. You can recognize these representatives by their colourful vests.

UBC has recently updated the COVID-19 Campus Rules to align with the latest guidance from the Provincial Health Officer.

Safety & Risk Services has updated the COVID-19 information to reflect the recent guidance and direction around continuity planning, contact tracing, and mask recommendations from the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), and WorkSafeBC.