Health & Safety View

The Centre for Occupational Health, Safety, and Wellbeing

Ensuring worker health and safety is a priority as it prevents injury and illness and improves productivity. The Centre for Occupational Health, Safety, and Wellbeing integrates occupational safety and health protection into workplace policies, programs, and practices to promote worker health and wellbeing. The Centre, located in the University Services Building, offers a range of health and wellness services which includes ergonomic services, injury prevention education, physical conditioning, and health screenings.

The Centre works in partnership with various UBC and community groups including the UBC Pharmacists Clinic, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Kinesiology, and the BC Cancer Agency. Support from CUPE Local 116, CUPE 2950, IUOE Local 115, and the Association of Administrative and Professional Staff (AAPS) contributes to the Centre’s efforts in advancing worker safety, health, and wellness.

Restricted access to The Centre

The Centre for Occupational Health, Safety, and Wellbeing is available only to VPFO staff (UBC Facilities, Safety & Risk Services, Finance & Integrated Services, Comptroller, Treasury, Enterprise Risk & Assurance, Transformation & Strategy, VPFO Human Resources, and VPFO Communications & Engagement).

How to request access to The Centre

Please review and submit this access request form. Once the completed form is processed, you will receive an email confirming that your UBC Card access to The Centre has been activated.

View access request form

If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding The Centre for Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing, its programs and services, please contact centre.usb@ubc.ca.

Group classes

Through the development of the Centre for Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing, Safety and Risk Services, and UBC Facilities aims to advance worker safety, health and wellbeing. Fitness classes are available only to VPFO employees and are free to attend.

Functional Strength Training

In this small group class, a kinesiologist will guide you through a series of structured sets designed to build full-body strength through functional compound movements such as squats, deadlifts, rows, and presses. This class is easily adaptable to any level of ability and exercise experience.

Yoga

Relieve your body’s tension and improve your strength, flexibility, and balance. You will enhance relaxation and release stress while improving total muscle condition.

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

This fun and fast-paced workout is designed to build both muscular endurance and cardiovascular fitness by pairing functional strength training with short bursts of explosive plyometric moves that quickly elevate your heart-rate.

One-on-one personal training

Information & resources
Wellbeing workshops & events
Safety and occupational development training

Book your classes online

Injury Prevention

The Centre for Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing offers a series of interactive sessions focusing on the areas of the body that are most frequently injured or causes pain.

The sessions currently being offered are:

Healthy Back
Healthy Shoulder
Healthy Knee

Led by a kinesiologist, participants learn how to keep your back, shoulder or knee healthy and avoid injury. Each program covers anatomy, movement patterns, the best evidence-based exercises for stability, and relevant ergonomic advice. Reach out to The Centre (centre.usb@ubc.ca) if your VPFO unit is interested in a complimentary injury prevention workshop.

Health Screenings & Clinics

The Centre for Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing, in conjunction with our campus partners, offers a variety of health screenings and clinics throughout the year to identify and mitigate your risk and protect your health and wellbeing. Information about screenings and clinics will be communicated through the VPFO Update newsletter. All health clinics are offered free of charge for VPFO employees.

Health screening fairs

Fairs typically include heart health screening, diabetes awareness, lung health, and mammography screening.

Services are provided by licensed pharmacists and pharmacy students from the Pharmacist Clinic – UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences or the BC Cancer Agency.