Safety & Health Week is happening right now and Human Resources, Health, Safety and Environment (HRHSE) is challenging university students, faculty and staff to learn about the most common injuries that take place on our campus—and how to prevent them.
We aren’t able to recognize Safety & Health Week in person this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take on responsibility, too. Here are some ways we can all practice acts of safety, whether we’re working on essential activities on campus, out and about in the community or working remotely.
Wear your mask
Non-medical masks are still required in all campus spaces unless you’re eating or drinking, alone in an office, residence room or cubicle or walking outdoors. This means you’ve got to keep them on in labs, classrooms, common areas and hallways.
Wearing your mask helps you protect those around you from the spread of viruses (and helps you out, too), so do your part so we can all keep each other safe and healthy.
Keep your distance
Sticking to your household bubble (or 2 contacts for individuals) remains one of the most effective ways to flatten the curve.
With the weather (finally!) warming up, one of the best ways to social distance and still keep up a social life is to get outside—so go out and enjoy the river valley, a park or just bask in the sun! Just remember to keep it at least 6 feet apart and know the latest gathering limits when you’re catching up in your small groups with family or friends outside.
Wash your hands
You know the drill: All you need is your regular old soap, a good scrub and 20 seconds of your favourite song. It’s still one of the best ways you can prevent any viruses on surfaces from affecting you and then spreading.
Set up a healthy work space
If you’re still working from your kitchen table, your floor or your ironing board, it might be time to take a look at your home office. Repetitive strain from poor setups (both at home and on campus) is one of the most common injuries at the university and it’s pretty easy to make small improvements to your space, too.
Not sure where to start? Take the ergonomics self-assessment to learn more about healthy office setups and get some ideas for how you can adjust your own.
Watch your waste
How well do you understand how to dispose of hazardous waste on campus? From broken glass to chemicals, the materials we use at work can cause some serious injuries if they’re not disposed of properly.
Check your understanding by reviewing the best practices for waste disposal on campus.
Know who to call
Know who to call if you have a maintenance request? What if you need to report a COVID-19 outbreak, a medical emergency or a crime in progress?
Visit the university’s Emergency Information and Procedures webpage to learn more about campus procedures during emergencies, to find out who to call or to sign up for the emergency alert system.
And remember, in an emergency always call 911 immediately, and then you can safely report to University of Alberta Protective Services (UAPS).
—Sam Kupczak is a communications coordinator with Facilities & Operations
Safety & Health Week is taking place this year from May 2-8 and HRHSE is challenging university staff to take their 7-Day Safety Challenge. Even if you missed a couple of days, you can still take part.