SRS News 2

Tomisin Bolorunduro joins Privacy and Information Security Management (PrISM) as Senior Advisor, Information Security Compliance, in Safety & Risk Services.

Tomisin is a Security Compliance professional who came to us most recently from Trulioo, a tech unicorn start-up in online identity verification. Her legal background, interest in technology, and curious mind will make her a valuable asset to the PrISM team.

Self-Isolation and ending isolation for COVID-19

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.

Pedestrian safety on campus

Safety practices for walking are just as important as those for riding on a bus or in a car. We have put together some simple road safety guidelines to prevent pedestrian injuries.

Driving safely on campus

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.

Sam Stephens steps into new role as Interim Director, Campus Security in Safety & Risk Services

In his new position, Sam will be responsible for leading the Campus Security team and ensuring that we continue to provide great service to keep the campus community safe and secure.

Continuing as one VPFO under Karamjeet Heer and John Metras’ leadership

Starting June 1, Karamjeet Heer will begin serving as the Interim Vice-President, Finance, and John Metras will become the Interim Vice-President, Operations following the departure of Peter Smailes, former Vice-President, Finance & Operations.

Let’s work together to stop the spread of COVID-19

Dr. Sabrina Wong from UBC Nursing is recruiting people to participate in a study to learn whether people can correctly interpret the results of the Roche SD biosensor (SARS-CoV-2 self test nasal) using the manufacturer’s instructions.

Susan Johnson steps into her new role as Senior Manager, Privacy and Information Security Risk

In her new role, Susan will continue to oversee the PIA process, including major projects such as the Integrated Security Program Student (IRPS) as well as the portfolio of operational PIAs and advisory services.

Norman Kotze joins the Emergency Management team as Associate, Emergency & Continuity Planning

In his new role, Norman will help lead continuity planning for the Vancouver Point Grey campus. Working with academic units, he will assist in the roll-out of our Continuity Planning Framework and the creation of Continuity Plans for faculties using a risk-based approach.

Sam Stephens joins Safety & Risk Services as the new Director, Special Projects

Sam Stephens joins Safety & Risk Services as the new Director, Special Projects

Sam has a diverse background, with extensive experience leading projects and teams within Compliance, Security and Risk Management roles for organizations in the public sector.

Srinath Srinivasan joins Safety & Risk Services as Lead Advisor, Information Security Compliance in PrISM

Srinath is a Cybersecurity professional with over a decade of experience in a diverse range of industries and sectors, including transportation, health, finance, and technology in both private and public sector organizations. Prior to joining UBC, Srinath was an IT Security Analyst running both the operational and risk shop for BC Transit.

UBC is transitioning from COVID-19 Safety Plans to a Communicable Disease Prevention Framework

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.

UBC Flags lowered for National Day of Mourning

Flags on both UBC campuses are to be lowered in recognition of the National Day of Mourning, to remember lives lost in the workplace and resolve to prevent future tragedies.

Updated COVID-19 Campus Rules

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

Masks required in UBC public indoor spaces until June 30

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.

Building Safety Capacity through Workplace Inspections

Workplace inspections are a vital component in our efforts to ensure a safe workplace and help prevent incidents, injuries, and illnesses at UBC. Some inspections are conducted by specially trained individuals, while general inspections are typically conducted by members of the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees and/or Local Safety Teams.

Reporting COVID-19 test results through the online COVID Positive Test Result Reporting Form is no longer required.

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.

Eve Neesham-Grenon joins the Research Compliance & Occupational Hygiene team as Biological & Radiation Safety Associate

Research Compliance & Occupational Hygiene with Occupational Health & Safety welcomes Eve Neesham-Grenon to the team as the Safety Associate focused primarily on the Biological & Radiation Safety Programs. Eve brings a fantastic mix of laboratory and hygiene experience to her new role and we are thrilled to have her move into the position. 

Nick Steel promoted to Senior Advisor, Faculty of Medicine within Occupational Health & Safety

Nick Steel promoted to Senior Advisor, Faculty of Medicine within Occupational Health & Safety

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.

Liz Cockfield joins Safety & Risk Services as Project Coordinator in PrISM

Liz Cockfield is the new Project Coordinator, joining Privacy and Information Security Management (PrISM), and will be leading projects across the PrISM team.

Maintaining masks in UBC public indoor spaces

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.

UBC Annual Screening Mammography Clinic on April 5, 2022

The Screening Mammography Program (SMP) Mobile Services will once again be visiting the UBC Point Grey Campus on April 5, 2022. BC women ages 40 and up with a primary care provider (doctor, nurse practitioner or naturopath) can book a screening mammogram directly through the program without a doctor’s referral. 

Updated UBC Campus Rules and COVID-19 Safety Plans

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

COVID-19 Waste water monitoring at UBC

Wastewater monitoring for COVID-19 involves testing for presence of the fragments of the virus (called SARS-CoV-2 RNA gene fragments) that are shed by both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals in wastewater. For Winter Term 2, UBC is scaling up wastewater monitoring to include more of the UBC Vancouver campus community and student residences.

Changes to UBC’s COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program

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.

Protecting your eyes in the workplace

According to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, over 700 Canadian workers sustain eye injuries resulting in lost time and/or temporary or permanent vision loss every day. Simply using the proper eye protection on the job could prevent 90% of these eye injuries from occurring.

Lori Takenaka promoted to Safety Advisor, Facilities within Occupational Health & Safety

Lori Takenaka promoted to Safety Advisor, Facilities within Occupational Health & Safety

In her new role as Safety Advisor, Lori will lead a team of health and safety specialists and will continue to support UBC Facilities in the development and implementation of their health and safety programs.

Teela Narsih promoted to Advisor, Safety Program Management & Systems within Occupational Health & Safety

Teela Narsih promoted to Advisor, Safety Program Management & Systems within Occupational Health & Safety

Teela began her career at UBC in 2015 where she has been an Occupational and Research Safety Associate with a focus on the development and implementation of the university’s safety program. Over the last 6 years, she has been instrumental in redesigning and updating SRS’ safety training.

UBC strongly recommends the use of medical masks as a face covering when possible

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 will be providing Rapid Antigen Test kits for symptomatic students, faculty and staff

In an effort to support the continuity of on-campus learning, instruction and research, UBC will be providing Rapid Antigen Test kits for symptomatic students, faculty and staff with the presentation of a UBC identification card, beginning the week of February 7th.

Updated COVID-19 Campus Rules

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

Health & Safety: Understanding the risk of fatigue at work 

Fatigue in the workplace has been recognized as a major cause of accidents. In fact, an Australian study found that after being awake for 17 hours straight, a person’s reaction times can be just as impaired as someone with a blood alcohol content of 0.05 percent. 

Updated information on COVID-19

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.

Celebrating promotions within the newly renamed division – Occupational Health and Safety, Safety & Risk Services

Celebrating promotions within the newly renamed division – Occupational Health and Safety, Safety & Risk Services

As mentioned in last month’s announcement, Safety & Risk Services is making changes to the reporting structures to strengthen alignment with the university and VPFO’s strategic priorities. Janet Hankins has been promoted to Manager – Research Compliance and Occupational Hygiene, Paul Gill to Manager, Health & Safety Partnerships, and Paul Nakagawa to Manager – Safety Program Management and Systems.

Last pick-ups from Environment Services Facilities will be on December 16

The Environmental Services Facilities (ESF) will be closed starting December 20, 2021 until January 4, 2022. The last day of pick-ups from academic departments will be December 16. For questions or concerns, please contact your ESF technicians before December 20. 

Avoid slips, trips, and falls this winter with some simple tips

Winter is almost here, and with it comes cold weather and greater risk of slips, trips or falls. Practice safe winter walking to help you stay on your feet this winter. Safety & Risk Services invites you to follow some prevention tips.

Information about working alone while working remotely (at home) available

Information about working alone while working remotely has been updated on the Working Alone or in Isolation page. Find out what you need in place as a supervisor if a worker is working alone remotely (at home).

Aligning enhanced safety and reducing risk for the university

In alignment with the VPFO and SRS strategic plan, Safety & Risk Services (SRS) is moving to the next step that builds on our strengths and opportunities to continue to align around enhanced safety and reduced risk for faculty, staff, and students. ​

75,868 text notifications sent via UBC Alert as part of the annual ShakeOut drill  

As part of the annual ShakeOut drill, a UBC Alert test notification by text and voice message was sent on October 21, 2021, at 10:21 am, to remind students, faculty, and staff to drop, cover, and hold on when an earthquake occurs.  

Cassandra Torres and Evan Lloyd join Safety & Risk Services as Management & Continuity Planning Advisors

Cassandra Torres and Evan Lloyd join Safety & Risk Services as Management & Continuity Planning Advisors

Cassandra Torres (she, her, hers) and Evan Lloyd join the Emergency Management team in Safety & Risk Services as Emergency Management & Continuity Planning Advisors. Their education and backgrounds in emergency response will be great assets to the team.

Shilan Keshvadi joins Safety & Risk Services as Associate, Health & Safety Education and Audit

Prior to joining us, Shilan was a Research Safety Coordinator at Simon Fraser University, where she acted as the EHS (environment, health, and safety) resource person for the Local Joint Health & Safety Committee to provide updates on policies and practices and address health & safety concerns.

Protect yourself from the flu: Get your flu shot

Protect yourself from the flu: Get your flu shot

UBC Vancouver is once again offering free flu immunization clinics to students, faculty and staff. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Getting the flu shot is your best protection.

Wherever you are, “Drop, Cover, & Hold On!”

Wherever you are, “Drop, Cover, & Hold On!”

Join us in the annual province-wide earthquake drill, Great BC ShakeOut at 10:21 a.m. on October 21, 2021, and learn more about the risks in our community and what UBC is doing to plan ahead. If you are registered for UBC Alert, you’ll receive a test notification by text and voice message on October 21.

Preparing for the Big One: UBC research lab to shake, rattle and roll

UBC’s Earthquake Engineering Research Facility (EERF) will shake, rattle and roll for the public this International ShakeOut Day. EERF will open its doors to the public from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, October 21, after the shakeout drill at 10:21 a.m.

Safety Awareness Week: Outdoor Event on Safety & Security

Meet our Campus Security team and community partners (RCMP, Transit Police, SVPRO, ICBC, Crimestoppers, and VFRS), and learn more about their role on campus vs. community partners, as well as tips on maintaining safety and security on campus. Find them at the University Commons (University Boulevard & East Mall) from October 19 to 21, 2021.

Flu season is coming and it could be ugly: what you need to know

As COVID-19 restrictions ease, Canada is seeing a resurgence of many respiratory viruses—and many experts predict this year’s flu season could be severe. Dr. Michael Curry (he/him), clinical associate professor with UBC faculty of medicine’s department of emergency medicine, reveals how this year’s flu season will be different from the last and weighs in on how to reduce your risk of getting sick.

First Aid is provided by UBC Campus Security

UBC Campus Security provides First Aid for students, faculty, staff, student-staff, and visitors on the UBC Vancouver Point Grey campus. Our patrol officers are Occupational First Aid Level 2 (OFA2) 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 medical emergencies should continue to be directed to 9-1-1.

UBC Library and UBC Campus Security launch Theft Prevention Pilot campaign

To support the safety and security of students, the library has partnered with UBC Campus Security to launch a Theft Prevention Pilot campaign that will run throughout the fall term. The goal of the campaign is to ensure students have peace of mind when visiting library branches and to foster good habits when using public spaces.

Required COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program

UBC requires COVID-19 rapid testing for all students, faculty and staff, with exemptions provided for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As the first step of the COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program, all students, faculty and staff are required to complete an online, confidential declaration of their vaccination status.

Non-medical masks required in public indoor spaces on UBC campuses from August 25

As a result of a Public Health Order, effective August 25, 2021, non-medical masks are required for all indoor public areas at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan, including lobbies, hallways, stairwells, elevators, classrooms and labs. The Order also applies to anyone taking public transportation, in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle. You can view the announcement

VCH drop-in vaccination clinic is available at Life Sciences Centre

The Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) drop-in vaccination clinic will be open at the Life Sciences Centre on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on your eligibility and vaccine availability.

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.

Heat Stress Awareness course available

The Heat Stress Awareness course is recommended for all workers that are at risk of heat exposure, and for their supervisors to complete. The course was developed 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.

VCH vaccination site at Pharmaceutical Sciences Building is closing 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”.

Air quality health & safety awareness

In light of the recent wildfire in BC, more information about wildfire smoke health & safety has been added to the Emergency Preparedness website and the Occupational Hygiene section on the SRS website.

UBC’s HVAC teams are making sure we can breathe easy

Over the past 18 months, learning, research, and work at UBC have been taking place remotely, wherever possible. But one group of people has diligently stayed on campus to keep its infrastructure humming through all this time: the teams responsible for ensuring that heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are functioning properly across the university.

UBC community supports COVID-19 research with rapid antigen testing clinic

The pilot project—the first of its kind at a Canadian university—ran from February to April, and helped identify positive cases of the virus in asymptomatic individuals who were quickly moved into isolation. Now, it has expanded into a clinical trial of the SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test developed by Roche, and is open to anyone living or working at UBC until August 20.

New COVID-19 Return to Campus Guidelines released

On July 5, 2021, the BC Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training released the new COVID-19 Return-to-Campus Guidelines, effective immediately.

The Centre for Occupational Health, Safety & Wellbeing reopens its doors

The Centre in the University Services Building (USB) reopened its doors for individual exercise as of Monday, July 5th, 2021. To request access to The Centre, please submit an access form and adhere to some important protocols to keep our community safe.

Updated UBC COVID-19 Safety Framework

With the recent announcement of Public Health moving to Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan and as mentioned in the UBC Bulletin on June 28— Supporting our return to Campus, UBC has aligned our safety planning process with the BC Restart Plan.

Resources for dealing with heat stress and exposure

Working in hot environments, outdoors and indoors, can affect the body’s cooling system. Find resources and references to help you identify signs and symptoms of heat stress, and guidance to prevent heat exposure.

Campus Security honours victims of the Kamloops Residential School

This week, Campus Security has put on orange epaulets in shared grief and to pay our respects to the children of the Kamloops Residential School, their families and communities.

Access Services joins Campus Security in Safety and Risk Services (SRS)

Safety & Risk Services is excited to announce that Access Services is transitioning from Student Housing and Community Services (SHCS) to Campus Security in SRS, effective Monday, May 31, 2021.

Campus Security Review

The University of British Columbia takes all matters of campus security very seriously, which is why we commissioned an external independent review of campus security policies and procedures in 2020. The review has made a number of findings and recommendations which we have shared with our university community.

UBC Alert test notification this week

As part of our regular testing program, UBC Alert will be sending out a test notification to students, faculty and staff via a phone call and text message, on Thursday, May 13 to UBC Okanagan campus, and
Friday, May 14 to UBC Vancouver campus.

VCH Vaccination site re-opens at Pharmaceutical Sciences Building

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is reopening the vaccination site on Wednesday May 12 at the UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences Building (PharmSci) for administering COVID-19 vaccines to eligible members of the public, based on specific phases of B.C.’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan.

VCH immunization site temporarily pausing

Vancouver Coastal Heath (VCH) will be temporarily pausing the COVID-19 vaccination site at UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences Building to consolidate this clinic with the Vancouver Convention Centre (East) clinic. VCH will be re-evaluating the need to re-open as needed. The last day of appointments will be Sunday, April 18, 2021.

Decommission of the Power House

The new Water Supply Centre is now completed, and the old water mains at the Power House is scheduled to be disconnected between April 9-14, 2021. To facilitate the work, there will be changes to the flow of water in UBC’s pipe, however, disruptions are not anticipated.

VCH Vaccination site opens at Pharmaceutical Sciences Building

VCH Vaccination site opens at Pharmaceutical Sciences Building

UBC has entered an agreement with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), enabling them the use of Pharmaceutical Sciences Building (PharmSci) to host a vaccination site, running March 29 – August 2021, for administering COVID-19 vaccines to eligible members of the public, based on specific phases of B.C.’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan.

B.C. Government Updates the Provincial Restrictions on Gatherings

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued a joint statement regarding updates on the COVID-19 response in British Columbia, and the B.C. Government has updated the advice posted on the Province-wide Restrictions webpage.

Rapid COVID-19 Screening Tests underway at UBC

Rapid COVID-19 Screening Tests underway at UBC

Safety & Risk Services has been assisting UBC Student Housing & Community Services in a pilot project offering rapid COVID-19 screening test. This voluntary initiative is a collaboration between the Federal and Provincial Governments, Providence Health Care, Vancouver Coastal Health, UBC’s School of Nursing and Student Housing and Community Services. 

Pink Shirt Day 2021: Celebrate equity, diversity, and inclusion across the VPFO

The VPFO Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee presents Pink Shirt Day on February 24, 2021. The VPFO will be celebrating equity, diversity and inclusion across our portfolio with a virtual event and cookies for those working on campus. Join in on Zoom to hear an update on where the VPFO is going with EDI.

Pre-approved suppliers now available for resusable, non-medical masks

In order to facilitate the sourcing and purchasing of masks at UBC, Financial Operations in partnership with Safety & Risk Services have secured non-exclusive contracts and fixed pricing with three pre-approved qualified suppliers. These contracts are available for any faculties and departments who wish to order directly from a supplier.

Updated COVID-19 Safety planning framework

COVID-19 safety plan outlines the policies, guidelines and procedures UBC have put in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. As part of each safety plan, all students, faculty, staff, and visitors must assess themselves daily for COVID-19 symptoms prior to using campus property.

Updated COVID-19 Campus Rules & Self-Assessment Requirements

UBC has recently updated the COVID-19 Campus Rules and Self-Assessment Requirements to align with the latest Public Health Orders. 

B.C. Government Update on Province-wide Restrictions

In response to the recent Public Health Orders, the BC Government made an extension of the previous orders released verbally on November 7, 2020 for the lower mainland, and then province-wide on November 19, 2020. This order affects the UBC Point Grey, Robson Square, Okanagan campuses and off-campus UBC sites within British Columbia.

Updated COVID-19 Self-Assessment Requirements

A UBC Broadcast was issued on November 26 to provide an additional update on self-assessment requirements. Faculty, staff and contractors working on campus are now required to directly confirm to a supervisor (or designate) that they have completed a daily self-assessment for symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival at their workplace (regardless of campus location).

Provincial Health Order November 19, 2020: Applying the province-wide restrictions at UBC

On Saturday, November 7, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BC Government announced new restrictions specific to the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health regions, with the exception of the central coast and the Bella Coola Valley.

External review of Campus Security — take the survey by Nov 22

As part of UBC’s commitment to address systemic bias and build a more inclusive university, we are embarking on an independent external review of Campus Security.

SRS Spookily Supports United Way

In support of UBC’s United Way fundraising campaign, members of the SRS team competed in a pumpkin carving contest!

Expanding fuel resilience at UBC

Expanding fuel resilience at UBC

Teams from Environmental Protection, Emergency Management and Energy & Water Services collaborated to expand the back-up diesel supply at the Campus Energy Centre by replacing the existing 42,000 litre tank with two 100,000 litre tanks.

Join UBC’s virtual ShakeOut drill on October 15th

We’re all spending more time at home at the moment, which makes it all the more important to prepare your home for the unexpected. Join UBC’s virtual ShakeOut drill on October 15th to get ready!

SRS Launch COVID-19 Safety Plan Onsite Review Program

SRS Launch COVID-19 Safety Plan Onsite Review Program

The program will help to verify if COVD-19 safety measures are effective and, if required, how improvements can be made.

Safety & Risk Services COVID-19 Safety Plan – Now Available Online

The Safety & Risk Services COVID-19 Safety Plan provides guidance for all SRS team members returning to work on-campus.

UBC Dentistry students to receive WorkSafeBC coverage

Team members from SRS recently helped to confirm the application of WorkSafeBC coverage for students providing patient care as part of their studies.

How to properly use a non-medical mask

Wearing a non-medical mask or face covering might help you to protect others. However any mask, no matter how good it is at catching respiratory droplets or how well it seals, will have minimal effect if it is not used properly or combined with other public health guidance.

Update on UBC’s Approach to Controversial Speaker Bookings

UBC President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Santa Ono, provides an update on recent activity towards UBC’s Approach to controversial speaker bookings.

New stormwater monitoring system installed near South Campus

New stormwater monitoring system installed near South Campus

Team members from Safety & Risk Services and Energy & Water Services recently oversaw the installation of a new hydrometric station near UBC Vancouver’s South Campus.

Serving our diverse campus

UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Santa Ono recently released a statement about systemic racism at UBC. We at Safety & Risk Services and in the VPFO portfolio want to ensure we create a sense of safety, trust and security among all campus users. We can only achieve this when we recognize and address racism and unconscious bias at an individual and institutional level.

A friendly reminder to run the cold water taps to ensure water is fresh

As many buildings on campus have reduced occupancy, we want to remind everyone that running the cold water taps until the water is cold is an important step before drinking or using for food preparation.

Working safely on campus and at home

Avoid infection and stay safe at work by following Safety & Risk Services guidance on safe working at srs.ubc.ca/covid19.

Protect UBC Mobile Phones Against SIM Swapping

Privacy Matters @ UBC has recommend that we take steps to protect our cell phones against a risk known as SIM swapping.

A friendly reminder to run the cold water taps to ensure water is fresh

As many buildings on campus have reduced occupancy, we want to remind everyone that running the cold water taps until the water is cold is an important step before drinking or using for food preparation.

UBC Personal Protective Equipment Supply

To support activities that are continuing on campus, UBC’s EOC has requested those that manage personal protective equipment get in touch.

Enhanced Security Measures on the Vancouver Campus

Enhanced Security Measures on the Vancouver Campus

Heightened security procedures and processes are in place to enhance the well-being and protect the safety of students, faculty, and staff on the UBC Vancouver campus. Please have your UBC ID, or equivalent, on display or ready to show when accessing campus buildings.

The VPFO is working with the rest of UBC in its response to COVID-19

In this uncertain time the VPFO continues to provide some of UBC’s crucial services while protecting those that operate them.

First Aid Features: Kitchen Slip

First Aid Features: Kitchen Slip

The First Aid Features series brings you real life stories from UBC’s Occupational First Aid team. This edition focuses on a slip and fall in one of UBC’s kitchens.

Students, faculty and staff get Ranger Ready in The Nest

Students, faculty and staff get Ranger Ready in The Nest

On February 13, 2020 the AMS Student Nest was transformed into the UBC Emergency Ranger Station, where the Emergency Management team helped the UBC community get Ranger Ready, and prepare for emergency situations.

Pink Shirt Day at the VPFO: February 26

Pink Shirt Day at the VPFO: February 26

This year, Pink Shirt Day is February 26 and the VPFO will be celebrating diversity and inclusion in our portfolio with cake and coffee events for our entire team.