Feeling the effects of the cold weather? Learn how to recognize cold stress
Cold stress can lead to illnesses when you’re working in cold or wet environments. Learn how to keep yourself and your coworkers safe by taking the Cold Stress Awareness course.
Environmental Services Facilities closed December 16–January 2
The ESF will be closed over the holidays. There will be no hazardous waste pick-ups during this break. The last pick-up day from labs will be Thursday, December 12.
The Centre will be closed Dec. 23–Jan. 3
As we approach Winter Break, please note that no fitness classes will be held at the Centre for Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing from December 23 to January 3. Classes will resume on January 6.
Learn more about our Campus Security Road Map
Campus Security’s roadmap highlights a series of interconnected projects and essential changes within the department’s organization, services, operations, infrastructure, processes, and culture, all aimed at fostering stronger alignment with the community.
Save lives with an AED
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is an easy-to-use, portable device that can restart a person’s heart. Anyone can use an AED. The device will only administer an electrical shock if the heart needs it. Learn where AEDs are located on campus.
Building safety capacity: Daylight savings time ends on Sunday
Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 3 at 2:00 am where we “fall back” and move our clocks back by one hour. While most of us are looking forward to an extra hour of sleep, it is important to know that our circadian rhythms can be impacted, which in turn can affect our mental and physical health and increase the chances of accidents and injuries.
Protect yourself from the flu: Get your flu shot
Starting October, 2024, Influenza vaccines will be available across British Columbia. The flu vaccines will be booked through the provincial government’s Get Vaccinated system. If you have already registered with the provincial Get Vaccinated system, you will not need to re-register to receive an invite for the influenza vaccine. Learn more about the Influenza Immunization Program.
Are you prepared for an earthquake?
On October 17, 2024, practice how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:17 a.m. during the annual Great BC ShakeOut. As part of ShakeOut, UBC will be testing its emergency notification system, UBC Alert. Learn more about how you can stay safe before, during, and after an earthquake.
Bwungula Dyegula joins Safety & Risk Services as Lead Advisor, Information Security Compliance in PrISM
Welcome Bwungula Dyegula as the new Lead Advisor, Information Security Compliance for Privacy and Information Security Management (PrISM). Bwungula is an Information Security professional with over eight years of expertise in information security compliance and technology risk assurance.
Hailey Maxwell steps into new role as Director, Emergency Management & Continuity Planning
Starting September 3, Hailey Maxwell will be stepping into her new role as Director, Emergency Management & Continuity Planning. In this new role, Hailey will also be joining the Safety & Risk Services leadership team.
Do you know what do in an emergency?
Stop by the Emergency Management booth on Imagine UBC on September 3 to learn more about emergency preparedness and the resources available to plan for emergency situations. Visit the Quake Cottage on September 4 to experience an earthquake simulator.
Manpreet Suhi joins Safety & Risk Services as Lead Advisor, Information Security Compliance in PrISM
We are pleased to welcome Manpreet Suhi as the new Lead Advisor, Information Security Compliance joining Privacy and Information Security Management (PrISM) within Safety & Risk Services (SRS).
Protecting your airway
Respiratory protection is used when there is a potential for exposure to hazardous levels of airborne contaminants (e.g. particulates, biologicals, gases & vapours) or in oxygen deficient environments. Learn about how to choose, use and care for your respirator.
Update: Public Health Officer order for COVID-19
On July 26, 2024, Dr. Bonnie Henry issued an order to end the public health emergency for COVID-19 and rescinded all related Provincial Health Officer (PHO) orders. Please update any UBC materials referencing the PHO and properly retain or destroy COVID-19 vaccination status records. For information on active communicable disease, please visit Communicable Disease Prevention Framework.
Beat the heat this summer
During extreme heat, it’s important to lower your activity levels and stay in a cool area drinking fluids. If a heat warning has been issued, seek access to a cool space or go to a cooling centre. Know the signs of heat-related illness to keep yourself and others safe.
Staying cool at UBC
Given the high temperatures that can occur in the summer, explore these resources to help stay cool and safe. UBC has multiple cooling centres and water is available across campus.
Abbey Hall joins as Executive Assistant supporting Executive Director, UBC Safety & Risk Services
Abbey Hall joins VPFO as Executive Assistant, supporting Rae Ann Aldridge, Executive Director, UBC Safety & Risk Services. Abbey comes to us from the University of Victoria, where she worked in both the Office of the President supporting the VP, Indigenous and for the Department of English as a graduate secretary.
Beware of phishing attempts related to global tech outage
The UBC Cybersecurity team is seeing a significant increase in phishing attempts related to a recent global tech outage. Please be extremely cautious of emails claiming to offer help, solutions, or compensation related to the outage. These emails are likely phishing attempts. Please forward phishing emails as an attachment to the UBC Cybersecurity team at security@ubc.ca. Do not click on any links or open attachments.
The Centre welcomes new yoga instructor Tania Clarke
Starting Wednesday, July 2, Tania Clarke will join The Centre as our new yoga instructor. It is Tania’s mission to help guide others towards a pain free life, and a better relationship with pain management and prevention.
Emergency Management collaborates across UBC to prepare campus for climate-change emergencies
We have seen the harmful effects of extreme heat, extreme rainfall, and wildfire events in BC over the past few years. To help UBC prepare for climate change-related emergencies, Safety & Risk Services’ Emergency Management alongside faculty partners created the Resilience Hubs for UBC Campus Communities project.
Compliance Support Program wins nationally at the 2024 CAUBO Conference
The program won a CAUBO Quality and Productivity (Q&P) Award for the its excellence in fostering cybersecurity compliance and safety. The Compliance Support program is made of a partnership between Safety & Risk Services, the Office of the University Counsel, the Office of the CIO, and UBC IT.
Resources to be prepared during wildfire season
As we head into summer, you are encouraged to bookmark these resources to be prepared in the event of extreme heat, wildfires and smoky weather conditions across the province.
Coexisting with coyotes
Have you seen the coyotes around campus? If you see one, keep your distance, for their safety and yours. Learn more about coyote safety.
Staying safe in the heat
Get ready for rising temperatures and learn how to identify signs and symptoms, the risks related to heat-related illnesses and how to protect yourself by completing the Heat Stress Awareness course on the WPL website.
Emergency Preparedness Week is May 5–11, 2024
Join us during Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week) to increase our community’s resilience by learning about emergency preparedness. EP Week is a provincial and national event supported by the BC Government and Public Safety Canada. Preparing for an emergency does not need to be difficult. Start by getting informed on the risks in your community, make a plan, and then build a kit.
You’re Invited! Information Security Standards Town Hall
UBC is committed to protecting its confidential data and information systems. As part of this commitment, we have established Information Security Standards that govern how everyone at UBC uses and safeguards university data and computing resources. We invite you to learn more about the proposed revisions to the Information Security Standards and have your questions answered by members of the ISSWG.
Daylight Savings time can affect workplace health & safety
Daylight Savings Time takes place this year on March 10, where we “spring ahead” and advance our clocks forward by one hour. Here are some tips to follow to help your body prepare for the time difference with the following tips.
Safety & Risk Services is one of the recipients of the Campus as a Living Lab ‘Grand Challenge’ funding award
The Campus as a Living Lab ‘Grand Challenge’ encourages faculty and staff to work together on a project to effectively respond and adapt to the climate emergency. Safety & Risk Services, in collaboration with the School of Community & Regional Planning and the Faculty of Applied Science, received a funding award to undertake the Resilience Hubs for UBC Campus Communities project.
Eric Alister joins PrISM as Privacy & Information Security Risk Advisor
Eric Alister joins Safety & Risk Services’ Privacy & Information Security Management (PrISM) team, stepping into the role of Privacy & Information Security Risk Advisor. Learn more about Eric.
Learn about electrical safety
The available electrical current in regular homes, offices, and workplaces have enough power to be a dangerous hazard. Electrical equipment has the ability to cause fires, electrical shock, skin burns and tissue damage, and disruptions to heart & breathing patterns. Learn how to reduce your risk of a fire, shock, or injury.
Derek Ho joins PrISM as Lead Advisor, Privacy & Information Security Risk
Derek Ho joins Safety & Risk Services’ Privacy & Information Security Management (PrISM) team as Lead Advisor in Privacy & Information Security Risk. The SRS PrISM team delivers privacy and security risk assessments, campus-wide training and risk advisory services to UBC.
Get to know the senior leadership team: Rae Ann Aldridge
Fostering a culture of purpose driven leadership, get to know Rae Ann Aldridge, Executive Director, Safety & Risk Services and her leadership vision: “I am a highly collaborative leader who works with her teams to inspire, influence and innovate towards a safe, secure and resilient UBC. Employing a strategic leadership approach, I empower my teams to lead in managing operational risk to position UBC as best-in-class.”
Step up your safety game with UBC Alert
Download the UBC Safe Vancouver App and turn on push notifications to receive alerts for safety and security risk to the community. Check to make sure your contact information is up to date in Workday/SSC to ensure you receive UBC Alerts.