Health, Safety and Environment Bulletin

Oct. 6, 2023 | Health, Safety & Environment Coordinator

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What to do if you find yourself with Influenza-Like-Illness symptoms

With the fall term in full swing and gatherings likely to happen over the upcoming long weekend the number of people with cough, cold, flu symptoms (also known as ILI symptoms) is likely to continue increasing. Although we are no longer under pandemic restrictions, professionalism and common courtesy dictate that we protect our patients and colleagues by still following a standardized process for anyone who experiences ILI symptoms. 

If you find yourself with cough, cold or flu symptoms, do the following:

• Contact your immediate supervisor and/or treatment coordinator so that your planned work can be reassigned

• From the first appearance of symptoms stay home until your symptoms are significantly improved or for 5 days whichever happens sooner.  

• You must be fever free (>38℃) for  24 hours before you can  return to campus. You DO NOT need to wait until you are symptom free to return to campus, however your symptoms do need to be significantly improved

• Submit reports as required.

  • Students

    • Submit Absence Request form

    • Inform your course coordinator

• Employees  

  • *We are no longer under pandemic restrictions, so anything up-to 3 days is coded as casual illness, but if you remain away for greater than 3 days, it is coded as general illness and you will require an illness note, as per the collective agreements, to have your sick days paid 

    • Submit sick time in Bear Tracks

    • Follow supervisor's specific processes or instructions for absences due to illness.

Annual Flu Vaccination Program

There are advantages to working and learning in an AHS facility, namely onsite provision of an annual flu vaccination program. The School of Dentistry has partnered with our onsite Rexall Pharmacy to provide flu vaccination and, upon patient request, COVID-19 booster vaccination

Rexall Pharmacy team members will be in Oral Surgery operatory S135 on the following dates and times. Please print and bring the completed Rexall Vaccination Consent Form before coming for your vaccination.

• Tuesday, October 17th 7:30am - 9:00am and 12:00pm - 1:00pm

• Wednesday, October 18th 7:30am - 9:00am and 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Should you miss these dates and times but still want to protect yourself with the annual flu vaccination, you can stop in the Rexall Pharmacy on the main floor anytime they are open to receive your vaccination.

Eye Protection

Currently, the number one health & safety concern in our clinical and simulation spaces is eye protection. Regular prescription glasses are NOT sufficient eye protection.

According to provincial and institutional regulations, you are required to wear appropriate eye protection for the task you are performing. This means CSA-approved safety glasses with fixed side shields and a brow flange or a face shield or loupes with fixed side shields and a brown flange. 

Do you have loupes that do not have fixed side shields or a brow flange? There are currently three solutions to manage this issue.

1. Wear a face shield over top of your loupes

2. Install curved side shields on your current loupes frame such as the image on the left 

3. Have your loupes remounted on a set of CSA-approved safety glasses.

Sincerely,
Ronna Richardson-Lozano
Health, Safety & Environment Coordinator