To stay fully informed about UBC’s response to COVID-19 visit covid19.ubc.ca. For Okanagan-specific updates, visit ok.ubc.ca/COVID19
On this page:
Prevention | Working safely on campus | Working safely remotely | Reporting COVID-19 exposure
Prevention
Following appropriate health guidance during the current COVID-19 response will reduce your risk of infection. Organizations such as the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Public Health Canada, and the World Health Organization, have issued COVID-19 related health guidance which, if followed, helps to reduce the risk of infection:
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| Wash hands thoroughly and frequently | Use hand sanitizer when you can’t wash your hands |
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| Wipe down frequently touched surfaces and objects | Avoid touching your head/face whenever possible |
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| Minimize your contact with others through physical distancing by keeping about two metres apart when outside your home | If you are sick or come into contact with a person who is sick, stay home and follow guidance about self-isolation |
Working safely on campus
While working on campus, health and safety guidance must be followed at all times, this is unaffected by the situation caused by COVID-19:
- Always follow safe working procedures, current processes, and health and safety guidance for your role.
- To find relevant safe working procedures speak to your manager or the appropriate member of the HSE team.
- If you encounter a situation that appears to have an elevated risk of contact with COVID-19, leave the area immediately and contact your supervisor for assistance.
- If your staff member reports an elevated risk to you, please contact ready.ok.ubc@ubc.ca for next steps.
Mandatory Online Training
All faculty, staff and student staff who are performing work on campus must take the online course Preventing COVID-19 Infection in the Workplace. This course is designed to help UBC faculty, staff and student-staff work safely by following provincial direction on reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection and transmission and is an important element of the on-campus work resumption process.
Facilities
Access
Due to heightened security procedures on campus, building access is limited. For details, visit Limited Building Access & Hours.
Cleaning
Facilities Management continues to meet ISSA Canada and APPA Leadership in Educational Facilities cleaning standards for COVID-19.
Best Service Pros provide our custodial services and maintain the campus to a very high standard. Moving forward, custodial have enhanced cleaning scope and resources during both the out-of-hours and daytime cleaning to accommodate the needs of a phased return of faculty, staff and students to campus.
Supplementary cleaning of high touch surfaces in shared work areas is encouraged. For those who wish to perform supplementary cleaning of their space, supplies will be provided through Facilities Management. See below for related guidance.
Preparing Spaces for Resumption
Facilities Management will provide support with facility needs (cleaning kits, barriers/plexiglass installation, hand sanitizer, face shields) for UBCO teams that have received approval to return campus. Signage is also available for workspaces. For full details, visit COVID-19 Resumption.
Safety Guidance
The following documents have been compiled to reflect infection control guidance from Health Canada, the BC CDC, Safety and Risk Services and UBCO IDAPP (Infectious Disease and Pandemic Planning Committee) for the context of the UBCO campus.
Members of the campus community are encouraged to review these documents and to apply the guidance, where appropriate, in an effort to follow infection control best practices and to reduce potential spread of COVID-19. Questions about these documents should be directed to hse.ok@ubc.ca
- Physical Distancing
- Distancing in Close Quarters
- Supplementary Cleaning
- Essential In Person Meetings & Trainings
- Shared Vehicles
- PPE
- There is currently a global shortage in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), e.g. protective masks and gloves, due to the impact the COVID-19 situation is having on supply chains. If you are aware of any PPE supplies at UBC that are currently not being used and could be recirculated around campus please email hse.ok@ubc.ca.
- Face Coverings & Non-Medical Masks: Limitations and Use
Infection Control Consultations
Members of the Health, Safety & Environment and the Campus Health team are available to provide safe working consultations, either in person or online, and help to develop COVID-19 safety plans. Please contact hse.ok@ubc.ca to request support.
Working safely remotely
It’s always important to ensure you are working safely, whether on campus or remotely.
- HSE Ergonomics and Virtual Ergo Assessments
- UBC HR Ergonomics Guide to Working from home
- UBC HR guide to Telecommuting
- UBC Broadcast – Secure Remote Working
Reporting COVID-19 exposure
Faculty and Staff
If you suspect you have been exposed to, or contracted COVID-19 at UBC or through your association with UBC, please notify your supervisor and report the incident through the Centralized Accident / Incident Reporting System (CAIRS).
WorkSafeBC has provided COVID19 claims related information for workers on their website: COVID-19 Claims WorkSafeBC info
Supervisors
Contact Health, Safety and Environment at hse.ok@ubc.ca or 250.807.8516 and a safety expert will provide guidance on any immediate follow-up measures.