Safety & Security

Mpox (formerly Monkeypox): The risk to Canadians remains low.  Please visit the BCCDC or the World Health Organization (WHO). 

COVID-19: On July 26, 2024, British Columbia’s Provincial Health Officer (PHO) declared an end to the public health emergency for COVID-19 and rescinded all related orders. 

 We can all contribute to health and safety both personally and professionally by: 

• Getting vaccinated 
• Staying home when unwell 
• Conducting daily self-health checks 
• Wearing masks when advised or required 
• Practising proper handwashing and hygiene 
• Adhering to campus health and safety plans
• Following public health guidelines on and off campus 

Our collective efforts make a significant difference.  

Now is the time to be kind, calm and safe.

 Certain communicable disease prevention measures such as health checks, hygiene practices and cleaning must be consistently applied.  

Additional measures such as barriers, physical distancing and masks may be introduced during periods of heightened risk.  

The level of risk can fluctuate seasonally or periodically, necessitating varying levels of protective measures as advised by the PHO.  

Students, faculty, staff and visitors must stay home if they are sick and unable to participate in their regular activities. 

Since not all measures will always be available, UCW community members must stay informed and practice these measures: 

• Follow the CDPP. 
• If you think you may have symptoms, contact your healthcare provider for testing. Please contact 8-1-1 or your medical practitioner for medical advice. 
• Stay home when sick AND if you are unable to participate in daily activities.  Please notify your line manager or instructor of your absence.
• Symptoms include the following:
  • Fever 
  • Fatigue 
  • Diarrhea
  • Coughing
  • Muscle aches
• Practise regular hand washing, sanitizing and cough or sneeze etiquette to minimize disease transmission. Refer to the BCCDC handwashing guide for more information.
• Wear a mask or any other required personal protective equipment (PPE) when required. Additional information on non-medical masks is provided by the BCCDC.
• Consider vaccination.

The CDPP outlines additional responsibilities for directors, managers and the Health and Safety Office.

If you are on campus and start to feel ill, then contact your instructor or line manager immediately. If you are well enough to transport yourself home, then do so immediately and contact 8-1-1 or your medical practitioner.   

UCW strongly encourages everyone to consider vaccination.  

Vaccines have been instrumental in significantly reducing and even eradicating numerous infectious diseases. They decrease the likelihood of contracting certain illnesses and mitigate the severity of outcomes if an infection occurs. Additionally, vaccines reduce the risk of disease transmission, thereby safeguarding individuals in the community who cannot be vaccinated.  

Ensuring that you are up to date with routine vaccinations, receiving annual flu shots and being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are crucial measures to protect yourself and others from preventable infections.  

Evidence-based immunization information and tools for BC residents are available from the BCCDC and ImmunizeBC. Visit how to get vaccinated for COVID-19 to book your vaccine appointment. 

In the event of a confirmed communicable disease on campus, UCW follows the guidance of the public health authorities. Diagnosis of a communicable disease must be treated confidentially. UCW collaborates with the public health authorities on guidance for communications.

The level of risk of certain communicable diseases may elevate occasionally or seasonally. Additional measures that could be re-introduced during periods of elevated risk, as directed by public health authorities, include the following: 

Mandating use of non-medical masks on campus 

Limiting building occupancy 

Enhanced cleaning and disinfection 

Physical distancing and limiting close interactions 

Hand Hygiene: Enable regular opportunities for hand hygiene, including placing hand sanitizer stations at the entrances, exits and in eating and common areas. 

Cough and Sneeze Etiquette: Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue or the crease of your elbow when you sneeze or cough rather than sneezing or coughing into your hands. 

Essential Hygiene Practices: Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Consider physical distancing.

Do not share food, drinks, utensils, etc. 

Avoid unnecessary contact with others.

UCW is committed to maintaining a clean working and learning environment through routine cleaning and disinfecting practices. During periods of elevated risk, UCW will follow enhanced cleaning protocols as directed by public health authorities. 

Please contact UCW Facilities at facilities@ucanwest.ca for questions about the cleaning schedule or practices, or to request refilling of hand soap, paper towels or hand sanitizers. 

Mechanical systems and filter changes are maintained under comprehensive maintenance routines that meet the manufacturer’s recommendations, best practices, WorkSafeBC and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. 

Information, including the CDPP review information, resources and how to report health and safety concerns, is available in the CDPP. 

Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC)

For more information about the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC), including membership and meeting minutes, please contact healthandsafety@ucanwest.ca

Safety Talk of the Month is a monthly newsletter to educate the UCW Community on seasonal or common hazards and the respective preventative measures. To receive a copy, please contact healthandsafety@ucanwest.ca. 

For information on travelling in and out of Canada, please visit the Government of Canada’s travel advisories and requirements.   

For UCW’s Communicable Disease Prevention Plan, please contact Health and Safety Office.

Please consult with your healthcare provider and follow their directions. If you feel sick, then you must stay home to reduce illness transmission to others. You can call 811 to determine if you should seek additional medical attention or treatment.

Although wearing a mask is no longer mandated, UCW supports everyone’s choice to do so.

Masks are available upon request at the main reception of each campus.

Physical distancing is no longer required in post-secondary settings.

UCW strongly encourages vaccination. For more information, visit BCCDC.

For students: student.affairs@ucanwest.ca

For employees: hrdiary@ucanwest.ca

Please contact healthandsafety@ucanwest.ca.