April 17, 2023
Dear Members:
The health and safety of our members and the UFV community are foremost priorities to the committee. We are working assiduously in a cooperative spirit with the employer to continuously improve health and safety situations of our workplace.
JOHSC committee at UFV are grouped by locations, Abbotsford (ABB) and Chilliwack (CEP). Abbotsford committee includes representatives from Abbotsford, Mission and Clearbrook campuses. Chilliwack committee includes representatives from Trades and Technology Centre (TTC) and Chilliwack Education Park (CEP).
The following are highlights of some achievements we recorded this year:
Term of Reference
Per Section 18 of UFV’s JOHSC Term of Reference (ToR), we completed review of the document on 4th January 2023. There are no major revisions except for the addition of an employer representative to Abbotsford’s committee. This addition was necessitated to field a member of the Campus Planning and Facilities Management (CPFM) unit at the request of the employer, and to allow the committee access to information as often as may be required during, and after our meetings – particularly, those within the purview of CPFM. Additionally, to fulfil the composition requirements of the ToR FSA needs volunteers. Particularly, we need up to 3 alternate members to support union members on the committee, and in facilitating a transition plan should there be vacancy. We encourage you to reach out to us – if you have questions, and whenever you want to put your name forward.
Workplace Inspections
Throughout 2022, Abbotsford JOHSC carried out 16 inspections on Abbotsford, Clearbrook, Mission and Aerospace campuses in accordance with the WCB regulations. During this – we found 15 issues, 80% of which are low-risk, and the remainder are moderate-risk. According to reports obtained from the Risk and Safety office, corrective actions for 87% of the issues have been completed, while the remainder have been experiencing delays due to supply chain. The inspection for 2023 has commenced, so far there is no major issue found in any of the buildings inspected. With the introduction of CampusOptics – a software platform designed for post-secondary institutions, we anticipate improved collaborations, reduced risk and improved safety culture, among all stakeholders – especially for the purpose of recording and tracking issues found during inspections. We seek your cooperation whenever the inspection team visits your building or interacted with you along the hallway or in your offices.
First Aid Reporting/Investigations
In 2022, 35 first aid incidences were reported both on Abbotsford and Chilliwack campuses. 80% of the incidences occurred on ABB, 14% at the TTC, and 6% at CEP. 34% of the incidences are moderate (i.e., requiring medical aid), and the remaining 66% are minor (after which person involved returned to work without medical attention). 31% of the incidences are Sprain/Strain in nature while 11% each of the cases are Eye and Head injuries. In 2023, we have also recorded a high number of Sprain/Strain resulting from inadequate salting of parking lots and walkways – thus, we have recommended increased salting of open spaces during winter.
Recommendations
We are preparing two recommendations to the employer on auditing UFV’s EHS program, and on minimizing potentials for casualties – especially when emergency evacuation is required. Motions supporting the recommendations pass during the JOHSC meeting of March 28, 2023, and are as follows:
M1: That a recommendation be sent to employer - requesting that a JOHSC Gap analysis is conducted for the EHS program.
M2: That a recommendation be made to the employer to install a means to identify hall wardens at their locations (or offices).
The last gap analysis was conducted in 2011 (approximately 12 years ago). Legislations, policies, and regulations have since changed. We deem auditing the current situations to be critical and fundamental to the committee’s effectiveness. Similarly, as it stands, identifying hall wardens designated for each building is difficult (especially during emergency evacuation). This could be improved if employer install means of identifications at offices of the hall wardens. We are forming M1 and M2 as recommendations to the employer for implementation without delay.
Annual Evaluation
We conducted an annual evaluation of JOHSC operations as mandated by Section 3.26 of the OH&S Regulation. During the most recent exercise, we noted issues like air quality problems, employer’s lack of consultation with the committee, and proximity of homeless camp (causing a security risk to staff, students and faculties) to the university as the foremost. To date, we are not aware of the any detailed plan to effectively reduce risks posed by this camp to the university community. On air quality issues, Doran Hoge has been appointed as the inaugural director for the UFV’s Sustainability Office. Doran made a presentation to ABB JOSCH about their plan and UFV’s sustainability programs. We discussed the concerns of our members on air quality extensively (with emphasis to those induced by Climate change). It is our understanding that Doran is settling into the role and working on strategic plans to holistically address the issue. I will follow up with Doran on this issue, and most importantly, the implementation of low-hanging solutions to prevent repeat of air quality problems experienced on our campuses last summer.
Meetings
In line with the provisions of Section 37(2) of the Worker’s Compensation Act, both Abbotsford and Chilliwack committees meet monthly. Our educational component for members as an additional layer of training has been very successful and beneficial. Pressing issues and questions from FSA members are presented to the employer during these meetings for resolutions and answers, respectively. Regular OH&S statistics are presented by the risk and safety office. Minutes from previous meetings are accessible to all employees via the public drive – in the EHS Program folder.
Some Very Useful Information
As an employee, you have the right to refuse unsafe work without any penalty. You also have the right to invest work hours in learning about the hazards of your job and being trained in health and safety practices.
You can find out more about UFV’s safety programs at https://www.ufv.ca/safety-and-security/safety-programs/
If you feel unsafe in your work environment, here are the reporting guidelines to make a record of it https://www.ufv.ca/safety-and-security/report-incident/
If you need immediate help, do the following:
- In an emergency, always call 911 first (9-911 from a campus phone)
- For first aid assistance, call 1-855-282-7770 (local 7770)
- For security, call 1-855-239-7654 (local 7654)
UFV-FSA and UFV work together on Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees across our campuses.
You can reach out to an FSA steward in your area if you have any workplace concerns you want advising on. https://www.ufv-fsa.ca/stewards
Feel free also to contact your FSA executive members. https://www.ufv-fsa.ca/officers
Acknowledgements
I would like to express my deepest appreciation towards all the serving FSA members on JOHSC both on Abbotsford and Chilliwack campuses. Their relentless effort and support are the reasons we achieved these feats.
Abbotsford Committee Members: Sarah Xiyan Hou, Carrie Paproski, and Stacie Dixon
Chilliwack Committee Members: Erin Jones, Don Weitzel, Joel Feenstra, Terry Starr, and Leah Whitehouse
Thank you – to all our members, support staff and executives for another outstanding year. Without your support this year, we would not have achieved this much.
In Solidarity,
Opeyemi Adesina
Occupational Health and Safety Co-Chair
UFV-FSA
University of the Fraser Valley Faculty & Staff Association
33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8
Building B | Room 344
Direct Tel: 604-854-4530
Toll-Free: 1-888-504-7441 local 4530
Fax: 604-853-9540
[email protected]
www.ufv-fsa.ca
