Notice Board

The University of Lethbridge recently experienced its first case of workplace transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

In light of this occurrence, it’s extremely important we continue to be diligent in following established workplace guidelines and reiterate the health and safety protocols that have been put in place to help ensure the safety of everyone on campus.

It is imperative for relaunch coordinators, unit supervisors and all those who are coming to campus to review these protocols and adhere to the following standards:  

• Employees and students are advised NOT to eat lunches or take breaks together where masks may be removed for eating or drinking, even if physical distancing measures of 2m are maintained.  
• Employees are advised to use masks that meet AHS requirements. It is recommended to use only 3-ply non-medical procedure masks or, if using a cloth mask, it must have at least 3 layers (2 layers of tightly woven fabric, such as cotton or linen, and a middle layer of a filter-type fabric, such as non-woven polypropylene.)  
• Employees are advised that work tasks requiring work within 2m of each other are conducted only if deemed essential and while wearing an approved mask. 
• If an employee or student is notified by AHS that they are a close contact of a positive case, please notify the University as soon as possible by contacting your supervisor or instructor, who will then submit an online safety report.

Ensure that Return to Work Health & Safety Plans, hazard assessments, and relevant standard operating procedures (SOP) include the standards listed above and that affected employees and students have access to these documents.

As this recent incident of workplace transmission has shown, we cannot become complacent with respect to our health and safety protocols. We are at a critical time in the ongoing fight against this virus and we must remain vigilant to protect ourselves, our co-workers and students.

Doug Mackie, Chief Safety Officer