Air quality
Air quality affects our health, safety, comfort and productivity. Learn more about how each of us can contribute to good indoor air quality and how to respond when the outdoor air quality is affected by adverse environmental conditions.
For more information, please contact Graham Rhodes or 250-721-6525.
Indoor air quality
Building ventilation
A building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system contributes to good indoor air quality by distributing and balancing outdoor air throughout the building, removing contaminants and odours, and controlling humidity and temperature. Facilities Management is responsible to ensure building HVAC systems on campus are operating and maintained in accordance with .
How to maintain good indoor air quality
- Keep all fresh air intakes and exhaust vents free of obstructions
- Perform odour-generating work in an appropriate facility
- Open windows and doors to allow for air circulation, where appropriate
- Empty garbage cans often
- Clean and dust your workspace regularly
- Use low-odour markers
- Clean up any pooled water or spills immediately
- Eat in designated areas
Reporting a concern or compliant
- If the issue is related to a nuisance odour (e.g. scented fragrances, cleaning supplies, office plants, food odours, etc.) or an occupant activity within your unit, notify your supervisor who is responsible to address the issue.
- If the issue is related to a building system (e.g. air circulation, temperature, humidity, plumbing odours, etc.) or a project (e.g. construction or renovations), contact Facilities Management for assistance.
- For all other indoor air quality issues, contact ohs@uvic.a for assistance. We will provide advice, referrals and assist with any follow-up as appropriate.
Scents & fragrances
The university encourages all members of the campus community to avoid the use of scented products in work areas, classrooms and public spaces, as such products may impact the health of individuals.
For more information, including steps to address concerns with scented products, please review the scent safety guidelines.
The UVic scented products sign is available to post in work areas to remind individuals to avoid the use of scented products. Please ensure you follow the UVic Signage Policy and post on unit bulletin boards wherever possible. Units may also include this sign as part of their departmental-managed digital signage.
Outdoor air quality
During the summer months there may be periods where the local air quality is affected by wildfire smoke from other regions. This information is provided as guidance to campus on measures to help minimize exposures and health risks primarily as it relates to , and particularly for those workers who work outdoors.
Minimizing exposure
Unit supervisors and their employees should take the following proactive steps to minimize exposure before starting work activities:
- Monitor to determine any adjustments to strenuous activity levels.
- Reduce contact with the smoky environment as much as possible, and adjust work schedules as appropriate.
- Reduce the level of physical activity depending on the air quality and the worker’s own health condition and susceptibility to symptoms.
- Consider the use of an N-95 respirator for workers who are required to work outdoors during smoky periods as an added level of protection. Supervisors must ensure that workers have been fit-tested for the respirator they are using, and that they are trained on its use and care.
- Follow the heat safety (e.g. staying hydrated) during periods of hot weather that may be occurring at the same time as a smoky environment.
Symptoms & reporting
- WorkSafeBC advises that for most individuals smoke exposure can cause irritation of eyes, nose and throat, including headaches and worsening of allergies. These symptoms will generally resolve quickly in healthy workers if the exposure to smoke is short-term.
- For those individuals with respiratory illnesses, chronic diseases, or pregnant women or older adults, they may experience more serious or acute symptoms to smoky conditions and should advise their supervisor ahead of time if they have medical restrictions affecting their work.
- Any workers who begin to experience symptoms due to wildfire smoke or other outdoor pollutants should report them to their supervisor to ensure appropriate actions are taken before symptoms worsen. Anyone who experiences severe symptoms should call Campus Security (250-721-7599) for first aid or 911 for a medical emergency.
Monitoring
The university will monitor the AQHI, and during periods where it is high or very high (7-10+) will review potential impacts to campus activities and provide appropriate advisories or guidance for the campus community, with consideration to AQHI Health Messages to reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities. Typically when the AQHI is above 7, it is usually because of high concentrations of smoke particles in a region.
Smoking Policy
UVic is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for students, employees and visitors. Second-hand smoke is hazardous to health and can cause disease, including lung cancer in healthy non-smokers. It is expected that all members of the campus community will voluntarily comply with the university's Smoking Policy (AD2405).
Contact ohs@uvic.ca for any questions about the smoking policy.
Designated areas
Smoking or vaping tobacco or cannabis products is prohibited outside of any designated areas on campus. Designated tobacco smoking areas are located with red benches and receptacles in convenient and accessible locations. There are also 3 designated cannabis smoking areas accessible to adult students (legal age of 19 years or older) living on campus. Each area includes a bench marked with a green stripe. Cannabis smoking is only allowed at the designated cannabis smoking areas.
Cannabis in the workplace
Employers and employees have a shared duty to take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of themselves and others, and to follow the The legalization of recreational cannabis does not change these expectations or responsibilities in the workplace.
Responsibility of employers
Employers are responsible to protect against workplace impairment by not allowing any person to enter or remain at work if they are physically or mentally impaired by alcohol, a drug or other substance. This includes employees, contractors or any other person who is on campus and interacting with UVic personnel.
Adequate supervision is required to ensure reported or observed impairment is effectively managed. In every case of workplace impairment, the most important responsibility is to ensure people are safe.
Responsibility of employees
Employees must show up fit for duty and remain so during work. Under WorkSafe legislation, employees are obligated to advise their employer if their ability to safely perform their work is impaired for any reason, and to not knowingly do work where their impairment may create an undue risk to themselves or anyone else.
All employees are expected to take reasonable precautions to avoid impairment while at work due to alcohol, drugs or other substances, including cannabis.
Medical cannabis
Medical cannabis must be authorized by a doctor. UVic will continue to accommodate employees following established procedures which, in part, requires an authorization from a doctor and is managed on a case-by-case basis. More information about medical accommodations is available from Human Resources.