Nobody wants to get hurt or sick at work. And UFV’s Environmental Health & Safety department and the Joint Occupational Health and Safety committee have a vested interest in keeping us safe.
To raise awareness about workplace injury and illness prevention, UFV is participating in the first annual North American Occupational Safety & Health (NAOSH) week.
The goal during the NAOSH week is to focus the attention of employers, employees, partners, and the public on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home, and in the community.
At UFV, we strive to:
- Increase understanding of the benefits of investment in occupational health and safety.
- Raise awareness of the role and contribution of safety and health professionals.
- Reduce workplace injuries and illness by encouraging new health and safety activities and interest in NAOSH Week.
During NAOSH week at UFV, the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) team and the local Joint Occupational Health & Safety committee (JOHSC) will be hosting an information booth at Abbotsford campus on May 9 and the Chilliwack campus at Canada Education Park on May 11. The information booths will move between several locations on campus throughout the day. The booths will feature safety information, free UFV merchandise, and the chance to win prizes.
On Tues, May 9, the EHS/JOHSC information booth will be at the Abbotsford campus at various locations at the following times:
Building B (Safety & Security) — 8‒10 am
G Building (near Tim Hortons) — 11:30 am‒1:30 pm
B Building (near Office of the Registrar) — 2‒4 pm
On Thurs, May 11, the EHS/JOHSC information booth will be at the Chilliwack campus at Canada Education Park at various locations at the following times:
Building A (Near Spirit Bear Café) — 8‒11 am
Trades and Technical Centre (near First Aid room) — 12‒3 pm
In addition, EHS will be providing daily quizzes safety-related information with the chance to win prizes.
Quiz 1: Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committees. Find the quiz here.
Quiz 2: Ergonomics. Find the quiz here.
Quiz 3: Preventing Injuries in the Workplace. Find the quiz here (you will receive more information about this topic in a UFV All email on Wed, May 10).
Quiz 4: Accident and Incident Reporting. Find the quiz here (you will receive more information about this topic in a UFV All email on Wed, May 10).
Quiz 5: Safety Inspections. Find the quiz here (you will receive more information about this topic in a UFV All email on Wed, May 10).
Learn about prevention of workplace injury and illness through our list of five topics. Two are listed below. The final three will be included in a link from a UFV All message on Wed, May 10.
Topic One: Joint Occupational Health & Safety committees
Check out the information below and remember to check the EHS webpage for more information.
What is a JOHSC?
A JOHSC is made up of staff, faculty, and administrative representatives working together to identify and resolve health and safety concerns throughout our campuses. The two Health & Safety committees at UFV are advisory bodies that promote health and safety activities and ensure a healthy and safe working environment for all employees.
What does a JOHSC do?
- Assists in creating a safe and healthy workplace.
- Assists with employee concerns relating to health and safety.
- Promotes compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
- Participates in worksite inspections.
- Participates in incident/accident investigations.
UFV has two JOHS committees: one at each of the main campuses. Click here to see your campus representatives, previous month’s minutes and Terms of Reference. You can reach out to your local committee at any time. For more information about UFV’s Joint Occupational Committees, please visit the Safety & Security webpage. WorkSafeBC has more information on JOHSC in BC, click here for more information. Click here to complete the daily quiz and to be entered into a draw for a chance to win prizes.
Topic Two: Ergonomics
Check out the information below and remember to check the EHS webpage for more information.
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 to neck or back discomfort.
Fortunately, many potential injuries can be avoided by making a few simple changes to the set-up of our workspaces and bringing awareness to the repetitive movements we perform as part of our daily work. The UFV Ergonomics program offers a range of services to promote optimal working postures and practices to reduce workplace musculo-skeletal injuries.
To review general office ergonomics guidelines as they relate to your own computer workstation, please click here.
CHAIR:
- Chair height should allow your feet to rest flat on the floor or on a footrest, with your thighs roughly parallel to the floor.
- There should be about two inches of space between the front edge of the seat and the back of your knees.
- You should be able to maintain contact between your back and the chair’s backrest while working on the computer to allow proper back support.
- The curve of the back rest support should be positioned in the natural curve of your lower back.
KEYBOARD & MOUSE POSITION:
- Your elbows should be bent at about a 90-degree angle when your fingers are on the home row of the keyboard, with your upper arms hanging naturally from your shoulders.
- When using a mouse and keyboard, your wrists should be in a neutral position.
MONITOR AND WORKSTATION:
- Position the monitor about an arm’s length away; with the top of the screen at, or slightly below, eye level.
- If two monitors are used, position the primary screen directly in front of the user and keyboard. This screen should be used for keyboarding tasks as much as possible. The secondary screen should be the same height and placed to one side of the primary screen at an angle of about 30 degrees.
- Regularly used equipment, such as a phone or files, should be located within an arm’s reach.
Remember to vary your posture and tasks throughout the day and take regular breaks to stand and stretch to reduce fatigue and discomfort.
UFV has an established ergonomics program to support employees. A self-assessment tool has been developed to help you assess your current workspace to ensure that it fits you properly and is safe to use, click here for more information. Click here to complete the daily quiz and to be entered into a draw for a chance to win prizes.