Information on First Aid services and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for faculty, staff, students and visitors at UBC Vancouver campus.
All incidents and accidents must be reported to a supervisor and on-line through the UBC Centralized Accident/Incident Reporting System (CAIRS) as soon as possible following the incident/accident. Reporting serves as documented evidence in the event that the incident evolves into a claim and the individual involved (provided that they covered by WorkSafeBC) needs workers compensation. In addition, reporting is an important piece in maintaining a safe work environment for everyone.
An accident is a situation that requires medical attention such as a band aid or seeing a doctor/hospital. An incident is a near miss and is a situation where it could have been an accident but no medical attention was needed. Filling out a CAIRS report even for an incident is important as an incident may be changed into an accident if medical attention is required after.
There are 4 chemical spill carts located in the Biological Sciences Building.
- Teaching Labs (Botany/Zoology): East Wing alcove 2014 next to the ice machine
- Botany Growth Chamber: South Wing Room 2374
- Botany Research: South Wing Freezer Room 2303
- Zoology Research: West Wing Zoology Mailroom room 4213 inside wooden cabinet
There is 1 chemical spill cart located in the Biodiversity Research Center.
- Next to the window at the top of the central stairwell, 2nd floor landing across of meeting room 224
Although each lab is supposed to have their own chemical spill kit designed specifically for the chemicals they have in their lab, these spill kits are an emergency secondary backup.
How to deal with spills and accidental releases?
All spills and accidental releases must be reported in the UBC Centralized Accident Incident Reporting System (CAIRS).
Call 911 if chemical spills are larger than 1 litre or you are not comfortable to clean it up spills less than 1 litre. Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services will notify the Hazmat Team.
The link below will have the UBC Safety Risk Services chemical spill clean-up procedures.
https://riskmanagement.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2017/11/Chemical-Spill-Cleanup-SWP.pdf
Student safety is an important aspect of creating a safe campus. Various safety resources are available to make a safe and welcoming student experience at UBC.
Please visit the SRS - Safety and Risk Services.
For more information, please visit UBC Student Services Safety on Campus.
What is and how to create a working alone/isolation protocol?
What is Working Alone or in Isolation?
Working alone or in isolation means to work in situations where assistance would not be readily available to the worker:
- In case of an emergency, or
- In case the worker is injured or in ill health
Isolation is where multiple employees are working together, but unable to readily access emergency assistance due to their remote location.
Safety Risk Services requires all UBC workers have in place a Working alone/isolation protocol for when such instances do happen. More information can be found below on how to create one for your lab and some helpful tools that are available.
More information: https://srs.ubc.ca/health-safety/safety-programs/personal-safety/workingalone/
Ergonomics play an important role in our safety and well-being. The proper ergonomic design of our workspaces can minimize the risk of a wide range of injuries – from eye strain and carpal tunnel syndrome to persistent neck or back pain. The UBC Ergonomics program offers a range of services to promote optimal working postures and practices to reduce workplace musculoskeletal injuries. Some services include: Office Ergonomics, Sit-stand desks, Purchasing and Design guidelines, lab ergonomics, and other resources.
Situations requiring evacuation include fire, hazardous material release, bomb threats and earthquakes. Fire alarms must be treated as real emergencies and building evacuation must occur. The need for evacuation in other situations will be determined by emergency personnel and you will be advised if evacuation is necessary.
What do I do if evacuation of the building is necessary?
- Shut down equipment and secure hazardous materials,
- Calmly proceed to nearest exit: in case of fire, check doors for heat before opening,
- Follow instructions from emergency personnel,
- Do not use elevators,
- Walk: don't rush or crowd. Use handrails in stairways,
- Move away from the building quickly: watch for falling glass and other hazards,
- Move to your emergency meeting location and stay there so that all personnel may be accounted for,
- Never re-enter the building until notified by emergency personnel that it is safe to do so.
Beaty Biodiversity Research Centre: the predesignated emergency meeting area is on Main Mall directly west of the whale on the grassy area.
Biological Sciences Building: there are 3 predesignated emergency meeting areas. Your emergency meeting area will be the one nearest to you:
- Main Mall west of the Biological Sciences Building next to the water fountain,
- Biological Sciences Road at the intersection of Michael Smith Building/Food and Nutrition Sciences Building/Biological Sciences Building,
- In front of the UBC Bookstore on East Mall.
