Occupational & Preventive Health

If your work at UBC involves one or more of the following, you should enrol in OPH by booking a First Assessment appointment with the OPH nurse:

• Entry into a hospital, clinical or dental facility
• Potential exposure to human blood, body fluid, tissue or cell lines
• Work with animal species
• Potential exposure to human feces and/or urine
• Potential exposure to infectious biological agents
• Work in a childcare facility
• Potential exposure to dirt/soil or rusty metal
• Entry into a Containment Level III facility

If you have had a workplace exposure incident (i.e. to human blood, body fluid, or tissue), contact OPH after you have notified your supervisor, received appropriate first aid and/or medical follow-up.

To book an appointment with the OPH nurse, or if you have questions related to your health in the workplace, contact oph.info@ubc.ca or 604-827-4713.

Every situation is unique and OPH will work with you to determine the next steps to help support your physical and mental health in the workplace. We take into account the potential risks in your workplace and discuss your personal health needs in order to recommend and provide follow-up services like vaccinations, tests, health screenings and referrals to specialists.

Care & Support

Our medical team provides evidence-based services, resources and advice to promote a healthy UBC community, in support of UBC’s Strategic Plan. For some employees, enrolment in the Occupational & Preventive Health program is required by the provincial and/or federal regulations described below:

• WorkSafeBC Regulation 6.39 states that an employer must offer vaccination to all workers who are at risk of occupational exposure to biological agents for which there is a vaccine that prevents against infection.
• The Canadian Biosafety Standards & Guidelines state that a medical surveillance program must be in place to help prevent and detect illnesses related to the exposure of personnel to infectious material or toxins.

Accessibility

OPH is committed to providing accessible services. OPH offers appointments over the phone and in-person at our accessible on-campus clinic. As an employee, you are expected to engage in all OPH activities during work hours. If there’s anything we can do to make your appointment more accessible (i.e. sign language interpretation, captioning, accessible parking, etc.), please contact oph.info@ubc.ca.

Confidentiality

OPH operates under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and does not disclose your personal or medical information to anyone without your written consent. During your OPH appointment, the Nurse will provide you with the opportunity to discuss any questions you may have about confidentiality.