Road to Recovery #13 - April 15: Observing health and safety measures

Dear Colleagues,

It has been brought to my attention that a recent review of COVID-19 protocols by Western’s Health and Safety team revealed some concerning lapses in our application of these important safety measures.

I have also learned that a number of our department chairs and administrative leaders have already taken corrective action and reminded our researchers, staff and learners of the high need for all of us to maintain these protocols. I am grateful for their quick and targeted response.

Schulich Medicine & Dentistry serves as the standard bearer for the entire University and much of our community as we all collectively work through the pandemic. Therefore, it is critical that we meet the highest standard and set a positive example for others to follow.

Everyone has worked hard to keep our labs operational and learners safe, and earn the trust of Western’s leaders and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) professionals in the process. Please do your part to sustain this trust by adhering to the protocols listed below. The health and success of our programs depend upon it.

Recently, Western’s Human Resources was notified that the City of London's chief bylaw enforcement officer has received complaints of people not wearing masks on campus and they intend on visiting and issuing citations and not warnings.

To ensure we are all following the rules and in preparation for a potential site visit by the Middlesex-London Health Unit, Western's OHS Officers have been proactively visiting our laboratories to make sure everyone is following proper procedures and wearing appropriate PPE.

This is a good opportunity to remind everyone about steps to take when returning and working on campus:

  • Complete the Return to Campus questionnaire before coming to campus each day.
  • Wear three-ply (surgical type) masks (unless in a private office with the door closed).
  • Work at least six feet apart and where that is not possible, you must wear secondary mucous membrane protection (e.g. face shield or goggles). We have clarified with OHS that the face shield is on top of safety glasses (not instead). They will post a clarification on this tomorrow.
  • Use a booking system or acceptable tracking system for shared spaces.

Also, please eat at a safe distance within appropriate areas, your office, a lunchroom, outside, and note that conference rooms are also available for eating. Please use disinfectant wipes provided to clean any surfaces you touch after eating in common spaces.

Thank you for your continued diligence.

Sincerely,

Paul Paolatto
Chief Operating Officer