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Welcome to the new format for our Workplace Well-Being Newsletter. This communication will be sent on a quarterly basis to all McMaster Employees, to help you stay connected on all things Health, Safety, and Well-being related.
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In this issue:
Employee Health Services (EHS)
COVID-19 Reporting Tool
Flu Clinics
Environmental and Occupational Health Support Services (EOHSS)
COVID-19 Awareness Training Online
Non-medical Face Coverings/Masks in McMaster University Indoor Public Spaces
Workplace Joint Health and Safety Inspections
Ontario COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool
Hydrogen Fluoride Training
Risk Management Manual Updates
Fire Prevention Week
Elevator Signage
COVID-19 Guidelines and Resources
Organizational Development (OD)
Healthy Workplace Month
Financial Literacy Month
What's Happening This Month
Employee Health Services
COVID-19 Reporting Tool
Employees/students are asked to report using the MOSAIC COVID-19 Reporting Tool tile when their self-assessment results recommend testing or self-isolation. This includes returning from travel out of country, if they are having symptoms, if they have come in close contact with a confirmed case, or if they have tested positive for COVID-19.
Please note that the COVID-19 Awareness training is not part of this reporting tool. If you are an employee please register for the training through the Regulatory Training tile in Mosaic. If you are a student the training is available in Avenue to Learn under the continuing tab. For more information on training please refer to the FAQ’s.
Flu Clinics
Getting your flu shot is more important than ever to protect yourself and the people around you from the flu, and to help reduce the strain on the healthcare systems responding to COVID-19.
Protect yourself from the flu. Tips to avoid the flu:
- Wash your hands often
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
- Don't touch your face
- Stay at home when you're sick
- Clean (and disinfect) surfaces and shared items
Where to get the flu shot and other information can be found on the Ontario.ca website.
Environmental and Occupational Health Support Services
COVID-19 Awareness Training Online
The University has made the COVID-19 Awareness training available to faculty, staff and students. Individuals will learn about the nature of the virus and how to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 using the hierarchy of controls to systematically take action to minimize risk. The COVID-19 Awareness training is mandatory for all individuals currently working on campus or returning to campus for work purposes, and for students attending classes/labs on campus. Other than approved individuals/groups, everyone should continue to work/study remotely. More information can be found on the safety training webpage.
Non-medical Face Coverings/Masks in McMaster University Indoor Public Spaces
This serves as a reminder to all Faculty, staff and students of the requirement to wear non-medical face coverings or masks in indoor public spaces throughout all McMaster University buildings. Additional signage about mask requirements will be posted throughout campus. It is important we stay vigilant and comply with this requirement. Show the McMaster community you value their health and safety by covering your face to protect them. Information on mask distribution can be found on the Daily News.
Workplace Joint Health and Safety Inspections
A key role of a worker representative on a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) is to conduct workplace inspections in order to identify hazards that may cause harm to individuals in the workplace.
COVID-19 has affected these inspections for many McMaster JHSCs as many workers have been working remotely with no or very limited access to the physical workplace. At the beginning of the pandemic the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development understood regular monthly inspections of the workplace may not be possible in some areas of the workplace. Visiting the workplace with the sole purpose of performing an inspection was not recommended. As the months pass, some workers have returned to the physical workplace and therefore it is important for these areas to once again be inspected in order to ensure our physical environment remains safe. These inspections may need to be done differently than prior to the pandemic.
Options for conducting JHSC inspections during a pandemic:
- Inspecting smaller areas, i.e. one or two offices vs a whole floor
- Utilize workers outside of the JHSC to conduct inspections for your committee with consensus of the workers on the JHSC
- Perform virtual inspections, e.g. onsite employees can utilize technology (FaceTime, Teams etc.) to review a space remotely with a worker representative
A Supplemental COVID-19 Inspection Checklist is now available on our website.
For questions or concerns about conducting JHSC workplace inspections please contact the Health and Safety Advisor on your committee or contact eohss@mcmaster.ca for assistance.
Ontario COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool
The Ontario COVID-19 self-assessment is to be completed everyday no more than one hour before arriving onsite and follow the recommendations provided. The link to this self-assessment tool can also be found on the McMaster Safety App. For those who work at host hospital sites or clinics please use the screening tool that your hospital site or clinic specifies you must use.
Hydrogen Fluoride Training
Due to the pandemic Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) training is currently not being offered in class. If you require HF training please contact Leah Allan at allanle@mcmaster.ca to arrange alternative training options.
Risk Management Manual Updates (RMM)
The following RMM Programs have been updated and approved by Senior Management:
- RMM 311 Respiratory Protection Program
- RMM 400 Building Indoor Air Quality Program
- RMM 703 Laser Safety Program
For a full listing of RMMs please visit our website.
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Fire Prevention Week - Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen Theme
Cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires and home fire injuries in Ontario. This year, Fire Prevention Week (October 4 to 10, 2020) aims to educate people about the simple but important things they can do to keep themselves and those around them safe from fire in their kitchens and homes.
Some key cooking tips….
- Keep an eye out when frying food. Most cooking fires start when someone is frying food.
- Watch what you are cooking. Fires start when the heat is too high. If you see any smoke or grease boiling, turn the burner off.
- Make sure you are awake and alert while cooking. Alcohol or drugs can cause sleepiness and poor judgement.
- Wear short sleeves or roll them up so they do not catch fire, particularly with an open flame.
- Keep children and pets at least 1 metre away from a hot stove.
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so they will not be inadvertently bumped or pulled over.
- Keep things that can catch fire, like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains away from the stovetop.
- Never pour water on a grease fire! Smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turn off the stove.
- If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to ensure you don’t forget the stove is on.
Important barbeque tips….
- Never leave a hot barbeque unattended.
- Clean the barbeque’s grease tray regularly to avoid fires.
- Never pour water on a barbeque grease fire! Use a fire extinguisher or baking soda or check the barbeque manufacturer's instructions.
- Only use propane, charcoal and wood pellet barbeques outside. Indoor use can cause a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Only barbeque outdoors, away from siding and deck railings, and away from eaves and branches.
- Check with a landlord or building manager before using on a balcony in an apartment building.
If interested in fire safety tips for your backyard go to the Government of Canada website.
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Elevator Signage
If you are required to attend campus it is important to be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to signage throughout. Wayfinding signage and COVID-19 messaging has been put in place in all McMaster University buildings. At some point you may need to use an elevator. Most elevators on campus are small and have been signed to ensure only one person is using the elevator at one time. Non-medical masks are also required inside an elevator as this is considered a public space. If you see an area that requires signage or are looking to order signage for your workspace, orders can be placed through Media Production Services.
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Visit the Workplace Health and Safety Guidelines for resources in navigating life during this pandemic addressing occupational health and safety concerns in the workplace related to COVID-19 in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act requirements and restrictions and information provided by Public Health Agency of Canada, Public Health Ontario, Hamilton Public Health and Global Affairs Canada.
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COVID-19 Guidelines and Resources
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Organizational Development
Healthy Workplace Month
October is Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month; a month set aside each year to increase awareness about the importance of workplace wellness. McMaster’s Healthy Workplace Committee in collaboration with Human Resources Services, is organizing a month of events and activities for all of McMaster. More details will be added to the Healthy Workplace website as they become available.
National Financial Literacy Month
November is National Financial Literacy Month (FLM). During the month of November each year, Human Resources Services supports an educational initiative focused on strengthening the financial literacy of faculty and staff which empowers them to:
- manage money and debt wisely while saving for the future
- reduce their financial stress; and
- understand their financial rights and responsibilities.
Throughout the month, Human Resources Services will feature weekly sub-themes that bring attention to the benefits of basic money management practices at different stages of life and encourage employees to reduce debt and save for the future. The initiative includes a series of weekly workshops and educational resources. More information will be added to the website as details are confirmed.
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Employee and Family Assistance Program
If you are looking for additional resources for you and/or your family during this difficult time visit the Homewood Health website.
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What's Happening This Month
Fire Prevention Week - October 4 - October 10
Look for fire safety information to be posted throughout the week on social media.
LIVE: Online Yoga
Thursdays, October 1 – 22 from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Back by popular demand! Join Jenn Stanley for all-levels intro to yoga. This class will feature movement and poses with extra instruction for those new to the practice of yoga. The session will also include poses familiar to those with a regular practice. We will focus on intentional movement and breath with the goal of finishing the class feeling calm and ready to continue your day.
Getting and Staying Active
October 7 from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
This session will review the importance of maintaining physical activity to support long-term health and wellness goals and to combat some of the physical and mental stressors one might be faced with in daily life. Participants will also review strategies to increase participation in regular physical activity, discuss how to start a new activity routine, cover workplace strategies to increasing daily activity levels, and consider ways to balance work/life schedules with physical activity needs. Strategies for reducing barriers to increase or maintain activity levels will also be discussed.
Managing Your Time and Energy
October 28 from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Time is a precious resource and individuals require balance in their work lives so that they can meet both their job requirements and personal needs. Is it possible to manage time at work to be both satisfied and successful? This session will explore answers to this question. After this session, participants will understand the key premise of time management, clarify priorities, reflect on strategies to improve personal effectiveness and efficiency, and discuss tips and techniques to manage time, energy and focus.
Learn more about these and other upcoming sessions and register on our HR Events page.
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