Workplace Health Services

Welcome to Workplace Health Services (WHS), a comprehensive in-house program that seeks to protect the health and well-being of UBC employees (staff, faculty and students who are employed by the university).

WHS equips employees with the necessary knowledge and services to manage their personal health in the workplace.

How does your workplace impact your health? How does your health impact your workplace?

Our Story

WHS evolved out of the established immunization practices of the Animal Care Centre following the commissioning of the Containment Level III facility at the Life Sciences Centre (LSC).  To satisfy federal requirements for the commissioning of this facility, UBC established WHS in 2007 under our former title, “Medical Surveillance Program”, and opened its clinical location inside the UBC Health Clinic in July, 2008.  At that time, UBC expanded the scope of the program beyond its existing clientele to serve all UBC employees whose work involves potential risk factors.

We are always keen to hear from employees on issues surrounding their occupational health so that we may continue to grow to meet the demands of the UBC community. If you have a question about your health in the workplace, please contact us.

Our Services

Located inside the UBC Health Clinic, WHS offers the following confidential services to employees in a clinical setting.  All recommended services are free of charge.

• Immunization Reviews
• Immunizations
• Reminders when due for additional services, such as updated vaccinations, annual health screenings or tests. Reminders are generated for the duration of the individual’s employment at UBC.
• Occupational Health Screenings
• Respiratory Protection Program
• Hearing Conservation Program
• Consultation with the Occupational Health Physician
• Advisements and education concerning health and safety in the workplace
• Referrals to Risk Management Services for consultations regarding safety concerns in the workplace

Our Clients

Have a question about your workplace health? Anyone holding a seven-digit UBC Employee Number qualifies for our services. Please contact us to find out more.
We currently offer targeted programs to a variety of employee groups, both on and off-campus, including:

• Researchers working in Containment Level III facilities
• Researchers working with biohazardous materials, including human blood and body fluid, animal species, infectious agents, etc.
• Employees whose work involves a risk of exposure to blood and body fluid
• All respirator wearers, including N-95s
• All employees requiring annual audiometric testing
• Food handlers
• Child care workers

How it Works

Employees become enrolled in WHS when they are identified as having exposures in the workplace, for which we recommend preventative activities that help mitigate those risks. Employees may be identified by their supervisor, by self-referral, through enrolment in the Biosafety Course or by virtue of their annual respirator fit and/or audiometric testing.

For each employee group (researchers, Building Operations staff, etc.), the enrolment process varies.  Targeted services may involve Risk Assessments, consultation with the Occupational Health Nurse or Physician, health screening questionnaires and/or vaccinations.  Please contact WHS for more information to find out how you can enroll today.

Privacy

WHS respects the individual employee’s dignity, privacy of personal information and confidentiality of personal health information at all times. Data is collected in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (1996) and the Personal Information Protection Act (2004) and formal retention schedules in conformance with UBC policies and procedures.