Working in a biosafety cabinet can result in an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury risk due increased reaching over the air vent. Take care to ensure you’ve set-up your workstation optimally to reduce injury risk.

Working at biosafety cabinet

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MSI risks

Poor Ergonomics: the awkward shoulder posture and extended reaching when using a standard pipette filler and long seriological pipettes are amplified due to the glass barrier and need to reach over the air vent.

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Improved ergonomics

• Adjust the height of the biosafety cabinet
• Adjust chair height and height of footring/footrest
• Organize work to keep frequently used items as close as possible
• Place a low provide garbage bin within as close of a reach as possible
• Use ergonomic pipette filler and shorty seriological pipettes

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Improved ergonomics

• Obtain elbow rest if needed
• When purchasing a biosafety cabinet an NSF certified with as large of an opening as safely possible, e.g. 12″ to 14″ and a sloped window is preferable

Cleaning biosafety cabinet

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MSI risks

• Extended reaching to wipe the back of the cabinet
• Places increased strain on the shoulders, neck and back

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Improved ergonomics

Use a telescopic pole with flat head and paper towel to reach the back of the cabinet. This will reduce the strain on the shoulders, neck and back.

Microscope work involves sustained static postures of the head, neck and body. Adjust your workstation to minimize awkward postures and improve comfort.

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MSI risks

• Forward bending-strains back musculature
• Leaning on arms-strains upper shoulders/neck
• Forearm contact pressure on table top

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Improved ergonomics

• Work in an area with proper leg clearance
• Position microscope near the edge of the table
• Use a height adjustable chair; preferred if table is also height adjustable
• Eye piece should be at eye level
• Backrest should support low back
• Feet should be supported on ground, footring or footrest
• Use a forearm pad to reduce contact pressure on the forearms (demo available through UBC’s Ergonomics Program)
• If standing, raise microscope so that the eye piece is at eye level and use an anti-fatigue mat
• Take frequent micro-breaks to adjust posture
• Posture in photo could be futher improved with an extendable and adjustable eye piece

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MSI risks

Shoulder fatigue will develop if staff are required to point and reach to the tablet screen. Ideally, a separate trackpad should be provided or at minimum provide an armrest for support

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Improved ergonomics

If purchasing a new microscope, look for options that allow a tablet attachment with a separate track pad. A separate trackpad is recommended if staff will be pointing, selecting or highlighting items on the tablet.

Working with traditional pipette fillers can result in awkward postures which causes pain, reduces speed, and increases risk of errors. An ergonomic long handle pipette filler combined with a shorty seriological pipette significantly improves shoulder posture.

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MSI risks

Shoulder abduction strains the shoulder and neck musculature.

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Improved ergonomics

• Use an ergonomic long handle pipette filler and a shorty seriological pipette-this will allow you to keep your arms close to your side as you work
• Take micro-breaks
• Rotate tasks

Extensive pipetting increases the risk of developing a repetitive strain injury (RSI). Purchasing the right pipette can improve efficiency and reduce the risk of injury.

Below is a list of key ergonomic factors to consider when purchasing new pipettes.

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Electronic pipettes

• Recommended if pipetting >2hrs/day
• Benefits include reduced force and repetition

When purchasing an electronic pipette look for ones that have an adjustable finger support, allow multi-finger involvement (e.g. index finger trigger), electronic tip ejection and auto-dispense.

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Low aspiration and dispensing force

When purchasing manual pipettes look for ones with low trigger force to reduce the risk of injury.

Frequent repetition with a manual pipette, particularly one that requires high trigger force, can strain the thumb musculature and result in an increased risk of injury.

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Low tip insertion force

Ineffective tip insertion can result in tips falling off or staff using excessive force to secure the tips. Purchasing pipettes that require only light force and provide feedback of successful tip insertion reduce the risk of injury and improve efficiency.

Benefits:

• Reduced hand/arm force to secure tips
• Reduced hand/arm force when ejecting tips
• Reduced risk of tips falling off and inadvertent sample loss

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Adjustable spacing multi-channel pipettes

Multi-channel pipettes tend to be heavier and have higher tip insertion/tip ejection forces; however, they can significantly reduce the number of repetitions.

When purchasing a multi-channel pipette look for low tip insertion force and electronic options.

Multi-channel pipettes with adjustable spacing allow staff to move liquid between wells of different sizes and thus significantly reduce the number of repetitions required which will reduce the risk of injury and improve efficiency.

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Alternative arm position

Some pipettes have been specifically designed to promote a more neutral arm and wrist posture. This design may also improve accuracy.

Your department will work to get permission to offer you employment in Canada. Before you can accept that offer, you'll need to apply for a work permit at the nearest Canadian visa office in your country of citizenship or residence, or online via the IRCC website.

Other things you should know

• Residents of some countries are also required to obtain temporary resident visas and or electronic travel authorizations.
• You're responsible for all fees associated with all government immigration applications.

New faculty and staff with questions about obtaining their Work Permits or Permanent Resident status may contact Housing & Relocation Services for individual support from a regulated immigration consultant.

Once all relevant documents are in place, you'll be able to travel to Canada and meet with a Canadian Border Services Officer. They'll ask you some questions, and then staple the necessary (conditional) permits into your passport(s). Each eligible family member can then work or study legally in Canada. If you have children traveling with you, ensure they receive a stamp in their passport or visitor record.

Renewing your work permit can be done online via the IRCC website from within Canada, well in advance of the expiry date. If you're a temporary resident visa holder, you need a current and valid work permit to travel to other countries and return to Canada.

You can apply for a permanent residency (landed immigrant) status if you have an ongoing appointment at UBC.

Common ways of doing this include:

• BC provincial nominee program: We support tenure-stream faculty when your academic unit "nominates" you to stay and work in Canada.
• Express entry: A points-based application system used to apply for permanent residency. UBC faculty members usually choose one of the following options: Applying as a federal skilled worker, based on education, work experience and other set criteria, or; Applying as Canadian experience class, for those with one year of recent Canadian work experience.

Family sponsorship: If you're a permanent resident, you're entitled to sponsor parents and grandparents to join you in Canada. Find information on this process on the IRCC website.​​​

You can apply for citizenship after being present in Canada as a permanent resident for a specified amount of time.

Work with your hiring department at UBC to complete these steps:

1. Acceptance and signing of your offer of employment/appointment (from your hiring department)
2. Submission of various documents (by your hiring department) to UBC's Human Resources department to begin the immigration process. They'll ask you for these documents.
3. Temporary work permit offer from UBC, through either a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or under a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption.
4. Application for a work permit (by you), once the LMIA is approved or eligibility for an LMIA exemption is confirmed. You may need to apply for a temporary resident visa before being permitted to work.
   It's your responsibility to contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to apply for your work permit and to get any required visas or medical examinations. Citizens of certain countries also need a temporary resident visa (TRV) or electronic travel authorization (eTA).  Find out if you need a visa.
5. Begin arrangements for your move to Canada.
6. You'll receive a letter or email from IRCC once the work permit has been granted. Your work permit will be issued at the border upon your arrival in Canada, so be sure to have the following documentation available for inspection: Letter of offer of employment from UBC, passports, temporary resident visa (if applicable), travel documents (airline tickets, etc.), any family documentation (marriage, birth certificates).

Licensed Childcare:

Licensed child care is a highly regulated and monitored service that prioritizes children's safety, education, and well-being. Staff are required to have early childhood education, undergo background checks, and maintain certifications. The daycare follows a structured curriculum, maintains detailed records for each child, and adheres to strict staff-to-child ratios. Physical or emotional punishment is prohibited, and emergency preparedness protocols are in place to ensure a secure environment for all children.

Registered License-Not-Required Child Care:

This care type is registered with a Childcare Resource and Referral Centre but not licensed. Providers are over 19, have a criminal background check, basic child training, 20 hours of experience, a first-aid certificate, and group liability insurance. Their home must pass safety inspections. They can care for up to 2 children from the same sibling group who are not related to them, covering ages birth to 12 years old.

License-Not-Required Child Care:

Similar to registered care, but with no government inspections or qualifications required. Parents are responsible for ensuring their child’s safety. Two children or a sibling group who are not related to them is the maximum group size for this type of care.

In-child’s-own-home:

Unlicensed home child care is when parents hire a nanny or babysitter to care for their child in their own home. This care is exclusively for the family’s children and cannot include children from other families. The caregiver must not be a live-in relative.

There are no legal requirements to monitor this type of care, and caregivers aren’t required to have formal qualifications or training. Parents are responsible for screening and hiring the caregiver, who becomes their employee. As employers, parents must make regular payments to Employment Insurance (EI) and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and register with Revenue Canada and WorkSafeBC.

UBC Childcare Services offers early childhood education and care for families on the UBC Vancouver campus and beyond. It serves over 750 children across 30 licensed facilities, catering to children from infancy to school age. With more than 250 staff members, the centre emphasizes learning, development, and community connection. Families can apply year-round, and the centre operates on a waitlist system; priority admission can be found on their website.

All faculty and staff may apply for the UBC childcare waitlist. The waitlist tend to be long, and we suggest that you inquire early about available space.

In an effort to improve timing of access into on-campus childcare, this supplementary Priority Childcare Placement Program (PCPP) provides a limited number of tenure-stream faculty members with higher placement on the UBC Childcare waitlist to support strategic recruitment and retention priorities. Department Heads or Deans may recommend tenure-stream faculty members for this program by completing the application below. Applications are forwarded to the Deputy Provost for review and consideration. 

UBC Childcare charges an additional $150 monthly premium on top of regular childcare rates for daycare spots secured through the PCPP. The supporting Faculty or Department is required to pay this additional monthly premium for each PCPP-assisted childcare spot for two years. 

PCPP spots will only be considered for children under the age of 5; school-aged children are not eligible for this program. While both recruitment and retention applications are accepted, recruitment applications will be prioritized. Retention applications will only be considered once all recruitment applications have been allotted a spot.

The application portal is now closed. Please note that applications open twice a year (in Spring and Fall) for a one-month period. The next round of applications for spots in the first half of 2027 will be open from September 21, 2026, to October 23, 2026.

Contact UBC Housing, Immigration and Relocation Services at pcpp.info@ubc.ca if you have questions about the PCPP and application process.

• University Hill is a licensed non-profit preschool that offers a play-based program, which primarily follows the Reggio Emilia approach to teaching. It includes specific activities of the Montessori school as well, referred to as "exercises of practical life". Their programs run from September to June and welcome 3-year-old and 4-year-old students.
• Berwick Child Development Centre offers licensed childcare spaces to children ages 3-5 year-round in an integrated setting with typical children as well as children with special needs. Classes are offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with extended day options from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. as well as 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Berwick focuses on growing communication and social skills in a rich and engaging learning environment. Priority placements are given to children of UBC faculty, staff, students, or University Neighbourhoods Association (UNA) residents. Applications for supported special needs spaces at Berwick should refer to the Vancouver Supported Child Development Program.
• Vista Point YMCA Child Care Centre has been made possible through a partnership between the YMCA, the UNA, and UBC. This centre has been built with the expressed purpose of addressing childcare needs for UBC’s growing residential community, with priority for families who do not work or study at UBC. It is intended to complement the services provided by UBC Childcare Services, who give priority to families who work or study at UBC.
• Wesbrook Childcare Centre accommodates 49 childcare spaces for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children. The facility is the first building to meet the UBC Green Building Action Plan strategies in energy, water, materials and resources, biodiversity, health and wellbeing, quality, climate adaption, and place and experience. The center is managed by the UNA and operated by the YMCA.
• CEFA Early Learning UBC offers a full-day, licensed childcare program for children aged 1 to 5. As a private early learning school, CEFA combines structured academics with play-based learning through its Core Education & Fine Arts curriculum, integrating early literacy, STEM, and the arts. 

UBC holds a corporate membership with Kids & Company providing faculty and staff with access to emergency childcare and priority placement. You are encouraged to sign up on the waiting list as early as possible. 

UBC's current membership with Kids & Company is valid until July 31, 2027. Once it expires, if you are still on the waiting list, there is a possibility that you may not be offered a spot. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to explore other childcare providers well in advance. 

Back-up passes for emergency childcare

As part of our membership, UBC has a limited number of back-up passes for emergency childcare. Each pass is equal to one day, with up to five days available per employee, and are subject to availability. 

If you are a UBC faculty or staff member and wish to request emergency back-up care, please email pcpp.info@ubc.ca with the following information:

• Your child's name
• Your child's date of birth and gender
• Your name and UBC EID
• Phone number
• Email address
• Preferred location(s)
• Number of requested days
• Dates needed
• Have you used back-up passes with us before?

Please note that while every effort is made to accommodate requests, Kids & Company cannot guarantee your preferred dates or location.

The public school system in British Columbia offers education from Kindergarten to Grade 12, with a focus on student-centered learning and inclusivity. Schools are divided into elementary, middle, and secondary levels. The curriculum emphasizes literacy, numeracy, creativity, and critical thinking while incorporating Indigenous perspectives. BC also provides programs for French Immersion, special education, and extracurricular activities. Public schooling is funded by the government, and students attend schools based on their residential catchment area. The system is overseen by the Ministry of Education.

Please visit your local school district website for information on the registration process, school directories, catchment areas and specialized programs and services.

• Vancouver
• Richmond
• Burnaby
• New Westminster
• Coquitlam / Port Coquitlam/ Port Moody
• North Vancouver
• West Vancouver
• Surrey
• Langley

Public Schools on UBCV Campus

There are three public schools on UBC campus that are within the Vancouver School district:

• Norma Rose Elementary
• University Hill Elementary
• University Hill Secondary School 

There is no guarantee that your child will be placed in your preferred school. ​​​​​​

To register for public schools on campus, refer to Registering for Schools in Vancouver.

Private School

Private schools in British Columbia provide families with diverse educational choices, including faith-based, Montessori, and other specialized programs. These institutions typically feature smaller class sizes and different curricula compared to public schools, which may appeal to families seeking alternative educational experiences for their children. Tuition rates vary, and admission processes can differ by school, often requiring applications and assessments. Families considering private education should weigh the benefits and costs to determine the best fit for their child's needs and educational goals. 

Children are required to register online through the Newcomer Welcome Centre (NWC), if one of the following criteria applies to them:

• Grade 1 to Grade 12 students born in Canada, and who DO NOT speak English as their home language.
• Kindergarten to Grade 12 students born outside Canada, regardless of language spoken at home.
• Parent/legal guardian is neither a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident. This applies even if the child was born in Canada.
• Former students, who meet the criteria listed above, who were withdrawn from the VSB and have returned.

If your child was born in Canada, English is their first language, and none of the criteria indicated above apply, you will need to register on the VSB Apply Now portal.

Required Documents:

The following documents are needed for the online registration to determine eligibility:

• Proof of British Columbia residency;
• The original birth certificate of the child;
• Applicable Immigration/Citizenship/Permanent Resident Documentation;
• Immunization Records, if available;
• Most recent report card, if available.

Documents that are not in English or French need to be translated in English by a certified translator. Please visit VSB for a comprehensive list of required documents.

Registration process:

After you complete the online registration process, you will be required to appear in person at the NWC with your child and your original documents. Use the confirmation email you received, after you submitted your online registration, to book an in-person appointment with a Registrar. You will need to present your original supporting documents during this meeting. Missing documents will delay the process. 

Once your registration has been reviewed by a Registrar, and your child is assessed, if necessary, the completed registration package and the assessment results will be sent directly to the catchment/placement school. The school will contact you shortly after to discuss the next steps. 

School Placement:

Your child will be placed at your neighbourhood school if you live within that school's boundary and there is space and a program available. If your catchment school is full, the school will find a place for your child at the next closest school that has space and a program available.

An elementary school student can transfer to the neighbourhood school when space becomes available. Secondary school students can only transfer to the neighbourhood school at the end of the school year, provided there is space, resources and a program available to accommodate the student.

If you arrive in the summer and your children are starting school in September, you may not find out the school they have been allocated to until late August.

Foreign nationals and international fees:

New UBC faculty members who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents can apply for either a study permit or a visitor record for each of their children. The documents will be attached to the children’s passports, with marked dates that they can legally reside in Canada.

Dates usually match the dates set out in the faculty member’s work permit. Preschool children do not need a study permit and can obtain a visitor record or a stamp in their passport on entry to Canada.

Your work permit must be valid for a full year in order to register your children in school without paying international fees.

• Visit ChildCareBC for more information on childcare services available in Vancouver.
• Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre provides information, referrals, training and resources to families and care givers. Initiatives include the active recruitment of “license not required” caregivers (LNRs) around Vancouver and the accessibility to toy library services.
• The Development Disabilities Association (DDA) provides over 50 community-based programs and services for all children (including special needs), youths, and adults. UBC has partnered with the DDA to enhance the availability of child care for faculty and staff in five of their centres.
• Nannies on Call provides reliable quality childcare 24/7. Nannies have two years childcare experience, are pre-screened, and are first aid certified.
• The Affordable Childcare Benefit is a monthly payment to help eligible families with the cost of childcare. Factors like income, family size, and type of care determine how much support families can get. Families need to renew their applications every year.
• The UNA provides community centres, parks, playgrounds, sports fields, and community gardens throughout UBC’s residential neighbourhoods.
  1. Wesbrook Community Centre is located in the heart of Wesbrook Village, a resident-focused recreation in the UBC community. The community centre includes studios, gymnasiums, fitness centres, recycling centre and parking services.
  2. Located at Hawthorn Place, the Old Barn Community Centre provides a social, recreational and community gathering place for residents and students on campus. The Old Barn Community Centre houses meeting rooms, social spaces, a fitness centre and the Bean Around the World coffee shop.
• UBC Camps is a leading provider of high-quality camps for children ages 3-17. They offer a vast selection of summer camps, including adventure, art and music, enrichment, and sport and recreation programming.
• UBC Recreation is committed to providing all individuals on campus with welcoming, accessible, and enjoyable physical recreation opportunities. Some programs offered include the Intercultural Physical Activity Series, Move More, Learn More and Walking Programs.  
• StrongStart is a free drop-in program offered to parents and caregivers with children ages zero to five years old.  StrongStart program emphasizes learning through play, language and positive social interactions. StrongStart provides a rich learning environment, designed for early learning development.  Qualified early childhood educators lead learning activities where children find opportunities to make friends and interact with others of similar ages.  The overall learning experience is shared as parents and caregivers attend with their children and are encouraged to get involved in activities like telling stories, playing games and serving healthy snacks.  English as a first language is not necessary to attend a StrongStart program.