USB Generator replacement
The University Services Building (USB) will begin the replacement of a new generator starting Monday, February 28. This work will be conducted in two phases, and will impact the traffic flow in the USB yard — loading/parking area at the rear of the building (Lower Mall).
Please review the attached PDF traffic management plans (TMP).
PHASE 1: February 28 to April 22, 2022 (Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
PHASE 2: April 25 to May 27, 2022 (Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Zone list updates
The Zone list (see attached) has been updated as of February 9, 2022. Please note that the following updates were made:
- Shop name change from CAITs to Controls
- Green zone Controls – Nicholas Koutnik
- Teal zone Controls – Dimitri Kavouras
- Blue zone Controls – Kevin Huynh
- Yellow zone building – Arts Student Centre
Play in Planon!
Did you know there is a dedicated Planon PLAY environment available to the Facilities teams? Here you can try out functionality and processes without any consequences. Simply log in with your CWL using the training password.
Learning Resources
Walking through one of the self-learning training aids is a great way to practice in the PLAY environment. To access these resources, visit Planon Support and Resources on the Facilities website.
UBC CAIRS: Following safe work procedures and wearing proper PPE
CAIRS report # 128681
The employee was making a batch of chemicals for the boiler feedwater system at the Centre for Comparative Medicine building. This task involves pouring chemicals from a 16 litres storage container into a smaller 2 litres measuring cup.
The employee was wearing safety glasses but no other Personal protective equipment (PPE). When the employee was tipping the storage container into the measuring cup, the chemicals splashed up under the safety glasses and into the employee's right eye. The employee immediately went over to the eyewash station and flushed their right eye for 20 minutes, and then drove themselves to the UBC hospital for further evaluation.
Root causes:
- Safe Work Procedures weren't being followed. The employee wasn't wearing safety glasses, face shield and apron.
- Proper chemical distribution nozzles were not provided which would allow for the safe transfer of chemicals from the storage container to the measuring cup.
Corrective actions:
- Reinforce and crew talk Safe Work Procedures amongst the group.
- Remind employees that first aid can be reached at 2-4444 and can come to you anywhere on campus.
- Purchase stainless steel table to allow the storage containers to be placed properly for safe and accurate pouring of the chemicals.
- Purchase proper safety glasses, which have a rubber surround protecting the eyes from a chemical splash.
Reminder: Picking up medical grade masks & Rapid Antigen test kits
Rapid Antigen Test kits are available for symptomatic UBC students, faculty, and staff who display symptoms of COVID-19. The test kits are distributed at University Commons outside the UBC Bookstore with the presentation of a UBC card.
Facilities departments and units can pick up medical grade masks through the Stores warehouse. UBC representatives will also be in University Commons handing out packages of medical grade masks. You can recognize these representatives by their colourful vests.
For information on medical grade masks, please visit: srs.ubc.ca/masks
For information on Rapid Antigen test kits, please visit: srs.ubc.ca/athometestkit
Reminder: Join the UBC Facilities Sun Run Team
Kick off 2022 with a healthy and fun start by joining the UBC Facilities Sun Run Team and taking part in the 37th Annual Vancouver Sun Run on April 24, 2022.
Whether you walk, jog, or run, you are sure to feel amazing when you cross the finish line and celebrate your achievement as part of the Facilities Sun Run Team — and you get a team t-shirt!
Registration Deadlines & Fees:
Early Bird Pricing until February 18:
- In-Person: $25.00
- Virtual Experience: $15.00
- Hybrid: $35.00
To register, please complete the attached registration form and email it to Linda Roseborough at linda.roseborough@ubc.ca
Welcome to the team... and fond farewell
- Steve Carey has been promoted to Facilities Manager for Blue zone within Customer Services & Informatics. His first day in this role will be March 28, 2022.
- Conor Hourigan has been promoted to Subhead Millwright in Building Operations.
Job Openings
All positions at UBC are available on the UBC HR Careers website, or through the career application in your Workday account. Please note that applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on the day prior to the posting end date. The following VPFO positions are currently open:
- Trades 2 – Landscape Tech 2 (JR6307) – closing Feb 19
- Shift Engineer (CEC) (JR6335) – closing Feb 21
- Labourer 3 (Gardener) (JR6306) – closing Feb 21
Please remember to apply as an internal candidate. This Workday Knowledge Base article shows how: How do I apply for an internal job posting?
In case you've missed it
Here is a quick recap of key events and information that you may have missed. For more details, please click on the links below or refer to our weekly portfolio newsletter, VPFO Update.
If you do not currently receive the VPFO Update in your inbox, please contact Samantha Tsui, Communications Coordinator.
Health & Safety: Protecting your eyes in the workplace
It takes less than a minute to wear safety eyewear – and a millisecond to do permanent damage without them.
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.
Types of protective eyewear include:
- Safety glasses – provide eye protection for general working conditions where there may be dust, chips or flying particles. Side shields can provide some additional protection.
- Goggles – provide impact, dust and chemical splash protection to protect against hazards coming from any direction
- Face shields and helmets – protect workers exposed to chemicals, heat, or bloodborne pathogens. NB. Face shields and helmets should not be used as the sole means of protective eyewear. They need to be used in conjunction with safety glasses or goggles.
- Special protection – other types of protection, such as helmets or goggles with special filters to protect the eyes from optical radiation exposure, should be used for tasks such as welding or working with lasers.
Here are five things you can do to protect your eyes from injury:
- Know the eye safety dangers of your work
- Eliminate hazards before starting work by using machine guards, work screens or other engineering controls
- Use safety eyewear designed to protect against your specific workplace hazards
- Ensure your safety eyewear fits properly and is comfortable to wear and provides unrestricted vision and movement
- Keep your safety eyewear in good condition and have it replaced if it becomes damaged
Read more on the Safety & Risk Services website.
EDI: Celebrating Love
Hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day!
In celebration of love, we want to share this heartwarming video, Love Has No Labels — a great reminder for us that love exists in all shapes and forms.
Watch on YouTube
Weekly Emergency Tip: Keep your vehicle fueled or charged
Always keep your gas tank at least half full or battery half charged. During a disaster, gas stations and electrical infrastructure may not be working for days.
For information about emergency car kits, visit the Emergency Car Kit page on the Government of Canada website.
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health: Healthy break activities
Most of us are given some break time in our regular workday to help us unwind and refocus. What you do during that break time could have an impact on your workplace mental health.
Removing yourself physically and mentally from your work is proven to improve your focus and productivity. Even a 5 minute break can help when it may be difficult to step away from your work due to any reason, like a tight deadline.
Here are some quick healthy break activities to try:
- Calm your mind and body with a "Take 5" mindfulness practice with MindWell U
- Calm your mind and write what you are grateful for. Identifying the positives helps us retrain our brains to recognize what is good in our lives and what we can be grateful for. This can help change the quality of our life. When we're having a bad day or struggling, it may seem like there's nothing good or positive in life. Remember, gratitude comes in all shapes and sizes.
- Energize and get moving by sending print materials to a printer that is further away, walk to a water cooler at the other end of the building, or step outside to get a breath of fresh air.
- Relax and get creative by coloring. This activity is another way to slow down your thought process and relax both mind and body.
Managing your mental health
Human Resources has collected mental health resources to help you manage your ups and downs. To view more workshops, webinars and events visit the HR event listing.
Our HR representatives are always available for a confidential conversation:
- Monica Haab (monica.haab@ubc.ca): Customer Services, Energy & Water Services, Customer Services & Informatics, Municipal Services, and Trades
- Alena Martin (almarti@mail.ubc.ca): Custodial Services and Infrastructure Development.
Understanding the Employee and Family Assistance Program
The UBC Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is a voluntary and confidential counselling support service that provides employees at all levels and their family members (dependents) with the help needed to resolve a wide range of personal, work, health, or life issues. This expert information and immediate support resources are available in-person and by phone, video, web or mobile app 24/7, 365 days per year.
Login to the new LifeWorks Wellbeing Platform and explore their resources and content.
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