ECE Health & Safety

For immediate emergencies, please call 911.

For all non-urgent Health & Safety concerns/inquiries, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

Most recent meeting minutes from the ECE Local Safety Team (LST) meetings can be found here.

For information on UBC’s Covid-19 Safety Plans, please visit: https://srs.ubc.ca/covid-19/covid-19-safety-plans/

Building Emergency Response Plans

The Building Emergency Response Plan (BERP) for the Kaiser Building can be found below:

The Building Emergency Response Plan (BERP) for the MacLeod Building can be found below:

Incident Reporting

All injuries and potentially dangerous incidents must be reported. To report an incident, please use the UBC-wide CAIRS system, found at: cairs.ubc.ca. Once you have reported an incident, please email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a description of the event so that our Local Safety Team can assist you as needed.

Please find below the suggested procedures for several situations that have been experienced in our department. Incident procedures are subject to change, but you can find the most up-to-date procedures and steps below according to the type of incident.

Any questions or concerns can be sent to the ECE Local Safety Team at safety@ece.ubc.ca

Incidents Reported and Proper Procedures

In any situation where chemical waste/hazardous materials are being transported, have been spilled or are found unlabelled:
  • All chemicals and hazardous materials MUST be properly labelled at all times. This is imperative to facilitate correct storage, transport, and disposal of the materials.
  • Ensure that proper safety goggles, gloves, lab coat and other necessary personal protective equipment are worn at all times when handling chemical waste and hazardous materials and are made available to users of lab space
  • Safety pails must be made available in labs for proper acid/chemical transportation, and lab safety manuals must be updated to emphasize proper transport procedure
  • If there is a spill, the persons in the immediate area should act to ensure their personal safety. The responsible person must act quickly to stop, contain, and minimize the effects of and clean up the affected area, where possible and safe. If unable to be safely dealt with, call 911 and notify Risk Management Services (604-822-2029).
  • Once the incident is resolved, email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the event
  • Fill out the incident/accident report - Can be found at http://rms.ubc.ca/health-safety/safety-programs/accident-incident/

Recent Incident: A student unsafely transported two bottles of hazardous acidic mixtures between labs by using a plastic bag and a cardboard box. One of the bottles was not labelled, and the box was not spill proof. No spill or chemical contact occurred, but there was high potential for a hazardous spill or harmful chemical contact. Corrective actions were taken by the group members in terms of safety procedures and transportation pails for the lab.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety [at] ece [dot] ubc [dot] ca.

In any situation where a person comes into contact with chemical waste/hazardous materials:
  • Ensure that proper safety goggles, gloves, lab coat and other necessary personal protective equipment are worn at all times when handling chemical waste and hazardous materials and are made available to users of lab space
  • The persons in the immediate area should act to ensure their personal safety. The responsible person must act quickly to stop, contain, and minimize effects/clean up the affected area where possible and safe. If unable to be safely dealt with, call 911 and notify Risk Management Services (604-822-2029) for assistance.
  • Identify the material and the quantity that the person has come into contact with
  • Once the incident is resolved, email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the event
  • Fill out the incident/accident report - Can be found at http://rms.ubc.ca/health-safety/safety-programs/accident-incident/
  • Please note that all chemicals and hazardous materials must be properly labeled at all times. This is imperative to facilitate a quick, proper disposal of the materials.

Recent Incident: During a cleaning procedure, a student accidentally splashed a small drop of diluted bleach into their eye while not wearing proper safety goggles. The student used an eyewash station to clean the irritated eye, then visited the UBC Hospital emergency room for examination. The irritation subsided and no further medical attention was needed.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety [at] ece [dot] ubc [dot] ca.

When working with impact hand tools, please follow the precautions below:
  • Please ensure that you are aware of your immediate surroundings at all times
  • Exercise caution and awareness at all times when performing work:
  • When working with a vise or hammer, ensure that the area around you is clear of obstruction and that your hands and body are safely positioned (free hand should not be placed on a vise while striking with a hammer)
  • Always wear closed, steel-toed shoes when lifting or moving heavy items
  • Always use the proper equipment: e.g. a jack for shipping palettes, a dolly for furniture (ensuring that you are trained to used any moving equipment)
  • If you do not have the proper shoes, equipment, or training to lift or move an object, please contact the ECE Facilities Manager (facilities@ece.ubc.ca) to arrange for trained personnel to move it for you

Recent Incident: A user of the Machine Shop positioned material in a vise while hitting it into place with a hammer. The hammer glanced off of the nearby milling machine head and struck the worker’s free hand, which was positioned on the vise, resulting in a bone fracture. Users of the machine shop have been instructed to take precautions to ensure proper hand placement and adequate clearance between equipment in the future.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

When working with high voltages, please follow the precautions below:
  • Have proper safety mechanisms in place in your lab when working with high voltages and contact the ECE Health & Safety Committee for access to resources (e.g. safety instructions, safety training, personal protective equipment, proper signage, etc.).
  • Do not rush, and ensure caution and awareness at all times when working with high voltage.
  • Always unplug an active power source before attempting to disconnect equipment
  • Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times, including electrical safety gloves when working with high voltages
  • Ensure that proper signage is posted on dangerous equipment (e.g. on the back of equipment to notify users to unplug a power supply before disconnecting)
  • In the event of an injury, the persons in the immediate area should act to ensure their personal safety. If unable to consult with the injured person at the time of a serious injury, the principal investigator or passer by must call 911 and await instructions
  • Familiarize yourself with the nearest first aid kit (all labs and main offices in the Kaiser and MCLD buildings have them)
  • Once the incident is resolved, the principal investigator must email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the event and complete an incident/accident report - can be found at http://riskmanagement.ubc.ca/health-safety/accidents/incidents-ubc/reporting-accidents/incidents

Recent Incident: A trained student working on an experimental set-up was rushing and ignored established lab procedures while disconnecting a cable from an active power supply. Without unplugging the power supply, the student used a screwdriver to reach through the power supply’s metallic guard to access a wire’s retaining screw, which resulted in a short circuit between the grounded metal guard and the screw. Minor damage occurred to the screwdriver, but the student sustained no injuries. This was a near miss with potentially high severity.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

When working in laboratories, machine shops, and classrooms in any ECE building spaces:
  • For any experimental setup, the supervisor and student must receive approval from the ECE Safety Manager and must have a safe action plan in place, as well as an appropriate building space to perform the experiment.
  • Wearing the required safety gear (PPE) is mandatory for all users when using lab space, as well as displaying proper badges/signage on clothing to indicate required training is complete
  • Ensure that all safety instructions and guidelines are followed as dictated by proper signage in the respective spaces. It is mandatory that these safety instructions are followed
  • In the event of injury, the persons in the immediate area should act to ensure their personal safety. If unable to consult with the injured person at the time of a serious injury, the principal investigator or passerby must call 911 and await instructions
  • If there is no supervisor or staff member available, and you suspect that an unauthorized user or someone without proper PPE is working/present in a lab or machine shop, a notification must be sent to safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the situation
  • All other access-related concerns can be forwarded to access@ece.ubc.ca

Recent Incident: A graduate student built an experimental setup on a cubicle desk area involving a large volume of water flowing close to electrical equipment. An improvised experiment was set up in a non-experimental laboratory area in an unsafe manner, without proper supervision. Electrical connections were exposed to potential water spills and water levels used in the experiment exceeded storage capacity.  The setup was placed in an area with no drainage nearby or spill measures in place, and the experiment was planned to run unattended for long periods of time. As a result, a large water spill occurred, luckily missing any electrical connections. After investigation, the student and supervisor were instructed to mount the experiment in an appropriate lab space.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

When setting up an electrical test please follow the following precautions:
  • Always follow correct safety procedure when operating any lab/machine equipment as outlined by required ECE safety training
  • Obtain permission before operating any high voltage equipment
  • Read and follow the safety guidelines provided by the equipment manufacturer
  • For your safety, use insulated tools and wear rubber sole shoes
  • Do not operate the equipment on a wet area or under the chance of liquid spills
  • Only make use of proper high voltage cables and connectors. If you need to make custom cables or connections please seek support from the ECE technical staff
  • Do not perform any electrical modifications to the equipment
  • When activity is complete, or during manipulation, power down equipment and ensure that the equipment is unplugged and that all capacitors are discharged before touching any high voltage leads or the interior of the equipment
  • Ensure that your set up has proper fusing and housing, and make sure that equipment chassis, cabinets, or any other enclosures are properly grounded.
  • For more information please read the following safety guide from WorkSafeBC:

http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/by_topic/assets/pdf/electricity.pdf

Recent Incident: An unattended transformer, later used by undergraduate students, was left on a bench in MCLD 306, where all three secondary spade connectors (and the cannon plug) had exposed conductors that could easily be shorted together. There was no fusing on any secondary wires, and no safety grounding for the exposed transformer chassis. A staff member corrected the hazard by unplugging the transformer from the bench, but this was a near miss with critical potential severity.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

When working in laboratories, machine shops, and classrooms in the Macleod and Fred Kaiser buildings:
  • Access to labs and the machine shop will only be granted once the proper training has been completed - if a student is found in a lab or machine shop without proper training or protective equipment, that student will be removed (with repurcussions to follow on a case by case basis)
  • Always wear the required safety gear (PPE) when using dangerous materials or equipment
  • Please ensure that you follow all safety instructions and guidelines dictated by proper signage in the respective spaces. It is mandatory that these safety instructions are followed
  • Proper badges/signage must be displayed at all times to indicate required training has been completed
  • Ensure that you are aware of your surroundings at all times and not distracted from the task at hand
  • When using a drill press, make sure to take extra time and care to ensure materials are properly clamped
  • Do not rush, and ensure caution at all times when handling heavy or dangerous equipment
  • In the event of any injury, the persons in the immediate area should act to ensure their personal safety. If unable to consult with the injured person at the time of a serious injury, the principal investigator or passer by must call 911 and await instructions
  • Once the incident is resolved, the principal investigator must email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the event so a safety committee member can submit a formal incident/accident report
  • If there is no supervisor or staff member available, and you suspect that an unathorized user is working/present in a lab or machine shop, a notification must be sent to safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the situation. All other access-related concerns can be forwarded to access@ece.ubc.ca

Recent Incident: A student in the Thunder Lab was found not wearing proper Personal Protective Equipment and without proper lab training. The student gained access via a person working in the lab who opened the door. The student was removed from the lab, but this was the second time the student had been found working in the lab without permission.

Recent Incident: While working in the MCLD building, a UBC employee entered MCLD 148 and began using a drill press. The person did not identify himself, did not ask for permission to operate equipment, and was not wearing any of the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as posted in the shop. He also did not secure the piece he was working on. No injuries were sustained, but this was a near miss.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

When using/manoeuvring equipment in laboratories, machine shops, and classrooms in the Macleod and Fred Kaiser buildings:
  • Please make sure you have been trained properly on the equipment you are about to use.
  • Please ensure that you are aware of your surroundings at all times and not distracted from the task at hand
  • Do not rush, and ensure caution at all times when handling heavy or dangerous equipment
  • Always wear the required safety gear when using materials or equipment
  • When using a drill press, make sure to follow the required procedure and ensure materials are properly clamped.  If you are in doubt, ask the machinist to review your set up before using the drill.
  • In the event of any injury, the persons in the immediate area should act to ensure their personal safety. If unable to consult with the injured person at the time of a serious injury, the principal investigator or passer by must call 911 and await instructions
  • Once the incident is resolved, the principal investigator must email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the event so a safety committee member can submit a formal incident/accident report

Recent Incident: While working in MCLD 148 with a drill press, an employee improperly clamped the material being worked on. The material was grabbed by the drill, pulled away from the vice, and became free to spin at a high speed on the rotating drill bit, endangering the user. No injuries were sustained, but this was a near miss.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

When using compressed gas cylinders:
  • Ensure that proper handling techniques and required safety methods are being followed. In the event that a staff member, faculty member, student, or campus visitor finds a cylinder unsecured, that person must immediately contact a member of ECE engineering services (Mark Finniss – MCLD 142 - 604.827.4445, Roberto Rosales – 604.822.6845)
  • Ensure that you are aware of your surroundings at all times and not distracted from the task at hand
  • Do not rush, and ensure caution at all times when handling heavy or dangerous equipment
  • In the event of an injury, the persons in the immediate area should act to ensure their personal safety. If unable to consult with the injured person at the time of a serious injury, the principal investigator or passer by must call 911 and await instructions
  • Familiarize yourself with the nearest first aid kit (all labs and main offices in the Kaiser and MCLD buildings have them)
  • Once the incident is resolved, the principal investigator must email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the event and complete an incident/accident report - Can be found at http://riskmanagement.ubc.ca/health-safety/accidents/incidents-ubc/reporting-accidents/incidents

Recent IncidentThree compressed gas cylinders were recently left unsecured in MCLD 162. To prevent falling, or rolling during storage, compressed gas cylinders must always be secured, as they pose a severe risk of injury and explosion in the event of fire or damage. Immediate action was taken by an ECE staff member to secure the cylinders, but the persons using the area must ensure such cylinders are secured. This was a near miss with high potential severity.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

In any situation where chemical waste/hazardous materials have been spilled or are found unlabelled and unaccounted for:
  • The persons in the immediate area should act to ensure their personal safety. The responsible person must act quickly to stop, contain, and minimize the effects of and clean up the affected area, where possible and safe. If unable to be safely dealt with, the principal investigator must call 911 and notify Risk Management Services (604-822-2029).
  • Identify the material and the quantity spilled
  • The responsible person must complete the UBC Spill Reporting Form and fax to Risk Management Services (604-822-6650) as soon as reasonably possible. A second copy of the form must be forwarded to the applicable Administrative Head of Unit. The form can be found at: http://riskmanagement.ubc.ca/environment/spills-accidental-releases
  • Risk Management Services will determine if the spill is reportable and which agencies require notification. If the spill is reportable Risk Management Services will notify all applicable agencies.
  • Once the incident is resolved, email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the event
  • Fill out the incident/accident report - Can be found at http://riskmanagement.ubc.ca/health-safety/accidents/incidents-ubc/reporting-accidents/incidents
  • Please note that all chemicals and hazardous materials must be properly labelled at all times. This is imperative to facilitate a quick, proper disposal of the materials.

Recent IncidentA cardboard box of chemical waste (spilt beakers and other lab objects) was found in the Kaiser Building loading bay by a staff member, who reported the box to Risk Management Services and our ECE Administrative Office. Staff waited in the immediate area until RMS arrived and properly disposed of the waste. Although the waste was unlabelled and potentially dangerous, no harm was caused.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

When manoeuvring inside or on the premises of the Macleod and Fred Kaiser buildings:
  • Please ensure that you are aware of your immediate surroundings at all times
  • Exercise caution at all times when lifting or carrying heavy or large objects (such as furniture, lab equipment, or shipping palettes):

o   When carrying objects by hand: lift using your legs, not your back

o   Always wear closed, steel-toed shoes when lifting or moving heavy items

o   Always use the proper equipment: e.g. a jack for shipping palettes, a dolly for furniture (ensuring that you are trained to used any moving equipment)

o   If you do not have the proper shoes, equipment, or training to lift or move an object, please contact the ECE Facilities Manager (facilities@ece.ubc.ca) to arrange for trained personnel to move it for you

  • In the event of an injury, the persons in the immediate area should act to ensure their personal safety. If unable to consult with the injured person at the time of a serious injury, the principal investigator or passer-by must call 911 and await instructions
  • Once the incident is resolved, the passer-by or principal investigator must email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the event so a safety committee member can submit a formal incident/accident report

Recent Incident: While looking for a delivery driver outside of the MCLD building, a staff member tripped on uneven cement, resulting in injury.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

If you discover a person whom you believe is in distress on the UBC campus:
  • Ensure that the location is safe or find a secure location while calling for help.
  • Dial 911 and follow the instructions given by the emergency responder.
  • Call or have another bystander call UBC Campus Security (604 822 2222)
  • Once the incident is resolved, email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the event so a safety committee member can submit a formal incident/accident report

Recent Incident: An individual was found unresponsive in a locked cubicle on the 2nd floor bathroom of the Kaiser building.  A staff member was notified and asked for help from a passing ECE faculty member.  The faculty member called 911 and the staff member called UBC Campus Security.  The faculty and staff members followed the 911 ambulance service instructions until campus security and the ambulance arrived and took over the situation.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

In any situation where a student is in need of medical attention:
  • The TA or instructor should call 911, and stay with the student until the crew arrives.
  • UBC exam invigilation guidelines (exam interruption) recommends: "If a fire alarm rings in the building or if there is an emergency in the room such as a student falling ill, consult the exam coordinator as they will determine the appropriate course of action"
  • For a sudden exam interruption, the TA/Instructor should follow the same guidelines as if a fire alarm was set off - see UBC policy on exam interruptions
  • The student can write a deferred exam if approved by ESS, at a later date.
  • Once the incident is resolved, email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the event so a safety committee member can submit a formal incident/accident report

Recent Incident: During an exam a student had a panic attack. The student was visibly distressed and in need of medical care. The TA in charge of the exam called 911. The TA stayed with the student until the ambulance arrived and returned to the exam thereafter. The student's wallet and cell phone was surrendered to the ambulance crew. The exam was not disrupted. The student is fine and has contacted the TA after the exam.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

In case of a large spill or accidental release:
  • Do not pull the fire alarm with the release of flammable gases, as doing so may spark an explosion
  • Call 911
  • Shut down equipment if safe to do so - labs with flammable gases must have a correct shut down procedure for their equipment
  • Evacuate the building, closing doors as you leave
  • Remain available in a safe place to provide information to the Hazmat Team
  • Once the incident is resolved, email with a short description of the event so a safety committee member can submit a formal incident/accident report
  • For information about small, contained lab spills, please refer to: http://riskmanagement.ubc.ca/environment/spills-accidental-releases

Recent Incident: In the case of hydrogen or gas leak incidents, the principal investigator is not responsible for solving the problem at the source (e.g., removing the leaky tank). He/she needs to be aware that the main duty in this situation is to notify the correct emergency response team and keep the surrounding workers/students away from the hazard. The principal investigator should remain available in a safe place to provide information to the firefighters or any other parties involved in clearing the hazard.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

If renting one of our propane tank barbecues, or using another barbecue near ECE facilities, the following procedures must be followed:
  • Any use of the grills must be done outside and well away from any doors or vents.
  • Barbecues should always be used at a distance where smoke emanating from the grills cannot enter a nearby building.
  • When lighting a propane barbecue, make sure to keep the lid open
  • Never leave grills unattended and keep children and pets away from the grill area
  • Before returning a barbecue, clean it by removing grease build-up from the frills and in trays below the grill
  • Turn off both the barbecue and propane after use
  • Do not store propane tanks indoors

The ECE barbecues are stored outside of room 5500 of the Fred Kaiser Building, and must be properly signed out at the 5500 front desk before use. Renters accept responsibility for any damages or missing equipment, and must clean the barbecues properly before returning them.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

In case of electric shock, please follow the steps below.
  • Dial 911 and follow the instructions given by the emergency responder
  • Do not touch anything or anyone that is in contact with the source of discharge
  • When possible remove the power at the source or safely shut down the equipment that caused the electric shock
  • Remain available in a safe place to provide information to the rescue crew
  • Once the incident is resolved, email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the event so a safety committee member can submit a formal incident/accident report

Recent incident: While working with a setup (polymer substrate deposit) an individual made connections to a high voltage power supply using a series of alligator clips, thin wires and masking tape (note that this is not a safe/proper connection). During operation one of the cables fell down and despite being insulated with electrical tape it shorted to the fume hood metal platform causing a series of high voltage discharges. Following this, while simply pointing at (not touching) the hazardous wires, the individual received an electric shock. Fortunately the shock was not serious.

When working with high voltage sources please follow the following precautions:

  • Have a safety mechanism in place when working with high voltage or contact the department for access to resources (e.g., safety shields)
  • Obtain permission before operating any high voltage equipment
  • Read and follow the safety guidelines provided by the equipment manufacturer
  • For your safety, use insulated tools and wear rubber sole shoes
  • Do not operate the equipment on a wet area or under the chance of liquid spills
  • Only make use of proper high voltage cables and connectors. If you need to make custom cables or connections please seek support from the ECE technical staff
  • Do not perform any electrical modifications to the equipment
  • When manipulating, power down equipment and ensure that the equipment is unplugged and that all capacitors are discharged before touching any high voltage leads or the interior of the equipment
  • Make sure that equipment chassis, cabinets, or any other enclosures are properly grounded
  • For more information please read the following safety guide from WorkSafeBC

http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/by_topic/assets/pdf/electricity.pdf

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

In any situation where potentially hazardous materials have been spilled or are found unaccounted for as a result of building maintenance:
  • The persons in the immediate area should act to ensure their personal safety
  • The principal investigator or passer by must notify Building Operations of the situation through the emergency number 604-822-2173 and await instructions
  • Building Operations will determine the next course of action
  • Once the incident is resolved, the principal investigator must email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the event so a safety committee member can submit a formal incident/accident report
  • Please note that maintenance and hazard signage must be respected at all times. DO NOT assume that any spilled fluid is water.

Recent Incident: Following a scheduled maintenance window for the radiant-heating system in the Macleod building, one of the radiators in the south Macleod foyer began to leak fluid (a glycol mixture). When the principal investigator arrived, the fluid had flooded the entire foyer from wall to wall, and the radiator was still actively leaking. Some people walked through the area ignoring the warning signage, and after climbing over the tape, slipped in the fluid. Within 10 minutes, Building Operations personnel arrived and stopped the leak, and custodial staff began cleaning up the fluid. Although the leak persisted for some time, and someone had slipped and fell in the fluid, no harm was caused.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

When working in laboratories, machine shops, and classrooms in the Macleod and Fred Kaiser buildings:
  • Access to labs and the machine shop will only be granted once the proper training has been completed - if a student is found in a lab or machine shop without proper training or protective equipment, that student will be removed (with repurcussions to follow on a case by case basis)
  • Always wear the required safety gear (PPE) when using dangerous materials or equipment
  • Please ensure that you follow all safety instructions and guidelines dictated by proper signage in the respective spaces. It is mandatory that these safety instructions are followed
  • Proper badges/signage must be displayed at all times to indicate required training has been completed
  • Ensure that you are aware of your surroundings at all times and not distracted from the task at hand
  • When using a drill press, make sure to take extra time and care to ensure materials are properly clamped
  • Do not rush, and ensure caution at all times when handling heavy or dangerous equipment
  • In the event of any injury, the persons in the immediate area should act to ensure their personal safety. If unable to consult with the injured person at the time of a serious injury, the principal investigator or passer by must call 911 and await instructions
  • Once the incident is resolved, the principal investigator must email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the event so a safety committee member can submit a formal incident/accident report
  • If there is no supervisor or staff member available, and you suspect that an unathorized user is working/present in a lab or machine shop, a notification must be sent to safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the situation. All other access-related concerns can be forwarded to access@ece.ubc.ca

Recent Incident: A student in the Thunder Lab was found not wearing proper Personal Protective Equipment and without proper lab training. The student gained access via a person working in the lab who opened the door. The student was removed from the lab, but this was the second time the student had been found working in the lab without permission.

Recent Incident: While working in the MCLD building, a UBC employee entered MCLD 148 and began using a drill press. The person did not identify himself, did not ask for permission to operate equipment, and was not wearing any of the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as posted in the shop. He also did not secure the piece he was working on. No injuries were sustained, but this was a near miss.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

When using/manoeuvring equipment in laboratories, machine shops, and classrooms in the Macleod and Fred Kaiser buildings:
  • Please make sure you have been trained properly on the equipment you are about to use.
  • Please ensure that you are aware of your surroundings at all times and not distracted from the task at hand
  • Do not rush, and ensure caution at all times when handling heavy or dangerous equipment
  • Always wear the required safety gear when using materials or equipment
  • When using a drill press, make sure to follow the required procedure and ensure materials are properly clamped.  If you are in doubt, ask the machinist to review your set up before using the drill.
  • In the event of any injury, the persons in the immediate area should act to ensure their personal safety. If unable to consult with the injured person at the time of a serious injury, the principal investigator or passer by must call 911 and await instructions
  • Once the incident is resolved, the principal investigator must email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the event so a safety committee member can submit a formal incident/accident report

Recent Incident: While working in MCLD 148 with a drill press, an employee improperly clamped the material being worked on. The material was grabbed by the drill, pulled away from the vice, and became free to spin at a high speed on the rotating drill bit, endangering the user. No injuries were sustained, but this was a near miss.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

When working in laboratories, machine shops, and classrooms in the Macleod and Fred Kaiser buildings:
  • Please ensure that you follow all safety instructions and guidelines dictated by proper signage in the respective spaces. It is mandatory that these safety instructions are followed.
  • Always wear the required safety gear when using dangerous materials or equipment
  • Ensure that you are aware of your surroundings at all times and not distracted from the task at hand
  • Do not rush, and ensure caution at all times when handling heavy or dangerous equipment
  • In the event of any injury, the persons in the immediate area should act to ensure their personal safety. If unable to consult with the injured person at the time of a serious injury, the principal investigator or passer by must call 911 and await instructions
  • Once the incident is resolved, the principal investigator must email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the event so a safety committee member can submit a formal incident/accident report

Recent Incident: While working in MCLD 155A (Thunder Lab), an employee was instructing students on the use of equipment in the lab.  No one was wearing the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The room is clearly marked with signs stating the requirement for all personnel to wear PPE when in the room. No injuries were sustained, but this was a near miss. Please see the link below for details about the incident and a procedure for such events.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

When using/manoeuvring room equipment in meeting rooms, offices, and classrooms in the Macleod and Fred Kaiser buildings:
  • Please ensure that you are aware of your surroundings at all times and not distracted from the task at hand
  • Do not rush, and ensure caution at all times when handling heavy or dangerous equipment
  • When using the Kaiser 2020/2030 divider panels, slowly slide the panels in and out of their storage closet located in the center of the room. The panels are very heavy, and lock into place when extended across the room, so please keep arms and legs away from panel sides as they lock into place.
  • Lift heavy equipment (such as meeting room tables and chairs) with your legs, not your back
  • Other heavier furniture or equipment should be handled with pallet jacks or carts
  • Refrain from texting or using your cell phone while doing these activities
  • In the event of any injury, the persons in the immediate area should act to ensure their personal safety. If unable to consult with the injured person at the time of a serious injury, the principal investigator or passer by must call 911 and await instructions
  • Familiarize yourself with the nearest first aid kit (all labs and main offices in the Kaiser and MCLD buildings have them)
  • Once the incident is resolved, the principal investigator must email safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the event so a safety committee member can submit a formal incident/accident report

Recent Incident: During the set-up of a recent seminar in Kaiser 2020/2030, while manoeuvring the wall partitions that divide the room, a staff member's hand came in the way of two panels as they came together, causing an injury. The staff member was escorted to the UBC Hospital, where upon further examination, only minor injuries were sustained.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.

When working in laboratories, machine shops, and classrooms in any ECE building spaces:
  • Wearing the required safety gear (PPE) is mandatory for all users when using lab space, as well as displaying proper badges/signage on clothing to indicate required training has been completed
  • Do not rush, and ensure caution at all times when handling heavy or dangerous equipment. A safe plan of action and knowledge of best lifting practices must be established
  • For heavy shipments and any dangerous lifting situations, Building Ops must be contacted so that they can provide proper staff assistance – to have building ops contacted, please email safety@ece.ubc.ca well in advance of your shipment so logistics can be coordinated
    • ECE Stores is required to notify moving crews whenever a large shipment is coming in
  • Ensure that all safety instructions and guidelines are being followed as dictated by proper signage in the respective spaces. It is mandatory that these safety instructions are followed
  • In the event of injury, the persons in the immediate area should act to ensure their personal safety. If unable to consult with the injured person at the time of a serious injury, the principal investigator or passer by must call 911 and await instructions
  • If there is no supervisor or staff member available, and you suspect that an unauthorized user or someone without proper PPE is working/present in a lab or machine shop, a notification must be sent to safety@ece.ubc.ca with a short description of the situation
  • All other access-related concerns can be forwarded to access@ece.ubc.ca

Recent Incident: During a scheduled installation of equipment in AMPEL, a manufacturing company representative arrived on site to assist graduate students and AMPEL staff to manually lift a nearly 600-pound crate onto a granite slate. None in attendance were wearing required Personal Protective Equipment, and there was a lack of a formal and safe action plan. Upon being notified, an ECE staff member instructed students not to participate, and made sure the other staff members did not take undue risks. Faculty members are responsible for the wellbeing of graduate students. Building Operations staff should be pre-arranged to assist heavy lifting. To arrange support for safe lifting, please email safety@ece.ubc.ca.

ECE is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all people using or visiting our facilities.  To this end, the Health & Safety committee would like to make you aware of an incident which occurred and recommend actions in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future. If you would like to contribute to the procedure outlined above, please contact safety@ece.ubc.ca.