Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

21 December 2017

Holiday Closure - Crime Prevention & Personal Security

As we enter the holiday season, please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with some crime prevention and personal security reminders to help ensure your work area is a less attractive target. Take simple precautions, listed here.

Remember that Campus Security is on duty 24 hours a day throughout the University closure, and they are ready to assist you with your personal safety and security needs. 

On behalf of all of us at Safety & Risk Services, we wish you and yours a very happy and safe holiday season.

18 December 2017

Snow & Severe Winter Weather

Know before you go! During winter weather, get the latest information on campus/class statuses and road conditions before you head out to any of the Burnaby, Surrey, or Vancouver campuses.

• Visit SFU.ca
• Follow @SFU on Twitter
• Follow Translink on Twitter @Translink, or subscribe to Transit Alerts for the status of public transit.
• Visit the SFU Road Report to track roads conditions and view webcameras.

14 November 2017

Continued RCMP Safety Advisory

The Lower Mainland RCMP is warning the public about a cyber extortion scheme that has targeted Chinese nationals attending schools in the greater Vancouver area. The scheme involves tricking victims into believing their loved ones have been kidnapped. Read the release the lastest release on the BC RCMP website. If you have been a victim of this crime, please contact RCMP at 604-224-1322 or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

If you are concerned about this advisory and need support from SFU, contact Campus Security. 

Read the latest Chinese translation of the RCMP release
Learn about how to identify frauds and scams from RCMP
Learn about campus resources available to you
RCMP Task Force to Investiage Kidnapping Scam

29 September 2017

RCMP Safety Advisory

The Lower Mainland RCMP is warning the public about a cyber extortion scheme that has targeted Chinese nationals attending schools in the greater Vancouver area. The scheme involves tricking victims into believing their loved ones have been kidnapped. Read the release on the BC RCMP website. If you have been a victim of this crime, please contact RCMP at 604-224-1322 or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

If you are concerned about this advisory and need support from SFU, contact Campus Security. 

Read the Chinese translation of the RCMP release
Learn about how to identify frauds and scams from RCMP
Learn about campus resources available to you
RCMP Task Force to Investiage Kidnapping Scam

22 September 2017

New Asbestos Inventory Database

Further to the communications this summer, the SFU Asbestos Inventory Database is now available to SFU community members with computing IDs: https://asbestosinventory.its.sfu.ca

For more information please visit the SFU Asbestos Management and Asbestos FAQ pages. 

11 September 2017

Waste Disposal & Wildlife Safety

Burnaby campus is home to a variety of wildlife including black bears, raccoons, deer, coyotes, and cougars. Black bears in particular are attracted to garbage when it is disposed of improperly, causing safety concerns for people and bears alike.

Make sure you follow these tips to dispose of your trash securely:
Wildlife & Waste Tips, City of Burnaby

For more safety tips, visit our Wildlife Safety page.

5 September 2017

Heat Wave Safety Tips for Students and Residents

With the current hot temperatures and air quality advisory in effect, follow these safety tips to reduce your personal health risk:

• Drink plenty of water
• Stay cool by taking frequent breaks from hot areas
• Seek out indoor spaces with air conditioning
• Avoid strenuous activity

If experiencing adverse health effects, student should seek medical attention at SFU Health & Counselling Services.

25 August 2017

Emergency Contact During Scheduled Phone Outage

Critical maintenance is required for the Mitel phone system. This will occur on Saturday, August 25, 2017, from 6:00 pm to 11:59 pm. Phone services at the Burnaby and Vancouver campuses will be affected during the outage. Voicemail at all three campuses will be unavailable during the outage.

In the event of an emergency during this time, Campus Security can be reached at the following telephone numbers:

• Burnaby Campus Security: 604-291-7429
• Vancouver Campus Security: 604-683-0113 
• Goldcorp Campus Security: 604-681-0374
• Surrey Campus Security: 778-837-0873

As always in an emergency, community members can also call 9-1-1.

15 August 2017

RCMP Safety Advisory

The Lower Mainland RCMP is warning the public about a cyber extortion scheme that has targeted Chinese nationals attending schools in the greater Vancouver area. The scheme involves tricking victims into believing their loved ones have been kidnapped. Read the release on the BC RCMP website. If you have been a victim of this crime, please contact RCMP at 604-224-1322 or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

If you are concerned about this safety advisory and need support from SFU, contact Campus Security. 

Read the Chinese translation of the RCMP release.
Learn about how to identify frauds and scams from RCMP
Learn about campus resources available to you.

UPDATE - 31 Aug 2017: New RCMP Task Force to Investiage Kidnapping Scam

5 August 2017

Vancouver Police Department Safety Advisory

The Vancouver Police Department has issued the following public warning. While there is no connection with the subject and SFU, all members of our campus community are reminded to use good sense and be aware of their surroundings. For more information and resources on personal security, visit our page here.

19 July 2017

Air Quality Advisory

Metro Vancouver has issued an Air Quality Advisory for Metro Vancouver due to high concentrations of fine particulate matter as a result of the wildfires outside of the region. If you are experiencing symptoms such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, please visit your healthcare provider.

For more information visit: http://www.sfu.ca/students/health/Announcements.html

17 July 2017

Cigarette Disposal and Fire Prevention

Each summer the combination of dry summer weather and the improper disposal of cigarettes cause several bark mulch and grass fires at the Burnaby campus. If you do smoke, ensure that your cigarette is extinguished and disposed of properly in a designated ash tray and ash urn.

For more information visit our Smoking in the Workplace and Fire Response Procedure pages.

6 June 2017

Asbestos Health and Safety Update

As part of the Asbestos Exposure Control Plan, in place since 1986, EHRS is undertaking a
re-inventory of locations containing asbestos across Burnaby and Vancouver Campuses beginning this summer.  In addition, a new database of locations on campus that are known to contain asbestos will be available to the campus community within the next month.

For more information read the update from Martin Pochurko, Vice-President, Finance & Administration. Also, visit our Asbestos Management and Asbestos FAQ pages.

19 May 2017

Vancouver Police Department Safety Advisory

The Vancouver Police Department has issued a public warning after the statutory release of convicted sex offender Cameron Eugene Ratelle. Read the release here.

Ratelle is bound by the conditions of his statutory release, which include not being on the property of any educational institution or school, including university campuses. Ratelle has previously been seen in an SFU Burnaby student residence building and has a history of targeting women in university residences. 

If you see him in a residence building or on campus contact Campus Security at 778.782.4500 or the Burnaby RCMP via 911.

For support and safety resources, please visit our Personal Security Page.

8 May 2017

New Security Services Provider

On 1 May 2017, Concord Security, the provider contracted to provide frontline security services for SFU Campus Security was absorbed by Paladin Security. During this aquisition, the delivery of public safety and asset protection service to our community remains unchanged across the three campuses, and the compliment of dedicated security staff remains in place.  

What will change in the coming weeks is the corporate branding on the uniforms worn by Campus Security's contracted security officers which will identify them as Paladin Security.

Campus Security looks forward to the new relationship and we are excited by the possibilities this partnership will bring to enhance protection services for the SFU community.  

25 April 2017

Mandatory Safety Training

A reminder that all SFU staff are required to take the online Workplace Bullying & Harassment training.

Two modules are available, one for employees and one for supervisors.  All employees are also strongly encouraged to take the New & Young Worker Safety Orientation, which was launched last fall.  A new Supervisor Safety Training module has also been created and is mandatory for all staff in supervisory or management positions.  

The training modules can be found here:

• Workplace Bullying and Harassment for Employees 
• Workplace Bullying and Harassment for Supervisors
• New & Young Worker Safety Orientation
• Supervisor Safety Training

24 February 2017

SRS Customer Survey (chance to win $100 Amazon gift card!)

SFU Safety & Risk Services is conducting a customer satisfaction survey. This survey will be used to help refine and improve the Department's range of services and methods of service delivery to better meet your health and safety needs. You are invited to complete the survey if you have ever used any of the services offered by Campus Security, Access Control, Traffic Safety Services, Environmental Health, Occupational Health, Lab and Research Safety, Risk Management, Emergency & Continuity Planning, and more. 

The survey will be available until Friday, March 17th.

All respondents who complete the survey will be entered into a draw for a $100 Amazon gift card.

Please access the survey here:  http://fluidsurveys.com/surveys/sfuirp/srs-customer-survey/

22 February 2017

Safety Alert on the Burnaby Campus 

Message to the University Community from Mark LaLonde, Chief Safety Officer

We wanted to alert you of a disturbing situation that took place at Burnaby campus last night. At around 7:30 pm, an SFU community member was walking towards a parking lot and was sexually assaulted by a suspect. The survivor was able to resist her attacker, who fled. RCMP were notified, immediately responded and are investigating.

The university community member did not appear to be physically harmed, however she was understandably badly shaken. SFU Safety and Risk Services are working with the survivor to provide support and assistance. We are cooperating closely with the RCMP to support their investigation.

This incident of sexual assault is very upsetting. We have increased our security presence on campus, especially the more secluded areas, and continue to patrol all three campuses to look for suspicious activity and offer assistance to our community. Please follow a few guidelines to stay safe:

• Add the SFU Campus Security phone number to your contacts: 778-782-4500.
• If you notice suspicious individuals or feel threatened, call 911 or Campus Security immediately. 
• Avoid walking alone on campus and consider using our 24/7 Safewalk program.
• Identify the nearest direct-line security telephone or blue emergency phone in areas you commonly visit.
• Find more safety information and resources in our Personal Safety Guides. 

Burnaby RCMP is also requesting public assistance to help them catch the suspect. The Burnaby RCMP have included additional details about the suspect in their News Release. 

They are urging any university community members with information to contact the Burnaby RCMP at 604-294-7922 or Crime Stoppers, if you wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.

Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, there are many supports in place to help you. Visit sfu.ca/sexual-violence to get help and to get involved in our prevention and awareness programs. It takes all of us to create a campus community where sexual assault is not tolerated.

9 December 2016

Severe Winter Weather

Before you head out to the Burnaby, Vancouver, or Surrey campuses, get the latest information on the statuses and conditions at:  

• SFU.ca
• Twitter @SFU
• Campus Snow Report page
• Visit the SFU Road Report to find out the status of roads on Burnaby Campus
• Follow Translink on Twitter @Translink or subscribe to Transit Alerts for the status of public transit.

November 28, 2016

SFU Releases Report on Tank Farm Expansion

To the University Community, SFU today released a report from PGL Environmental Consultants documenting the health and safety risks to the university community that would result from Kinder Morgan’s plan to triple the capacity of its Burnaby Mountain tank farm as part of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMEP).

A copy of the report has been sent to the Honourable James Carr, Minister of Natural Resources, together with a letter communicating the university’s concerns and expressing its objection to the tank farm expansion.

Any increase in risks to the health and safety of the SFU community is unacceptable to the university. The risks identified in this report are significant and deeply concerning, and SFU will continue to raise our concerns with both Kinder Morgan and the federal government.

To learn more about the report and SFU’s involvement in the TMEP review process, please visit our Trans Mountain Pipleline Information Page.

Andrew Petter
President and Vice Chancellor
Simon Fraser University

  November 15, 2016

NEW - New & Young Worker Safety Orientation

An online New & Young Worker Safety Orientation has been developed in Canvas.  This Orientation is mandatory for all new hires at the University.  Current employees who did not receive a safety orientation when they started at SFU should also complete this orientation.  More information is available here.

NEW - Supervisor Safety Training

An online Supervisor Safety Training module has also been created in Canvas and is mandatory for all employees who are in a supervisory or managerial position. More information is available here.

3 November 2016

Active Threat Protocols

In the wake of the tragic active threat incident at Abbotsford Senior Secondary yesterday, it is an important reminder for the SFU community to review our active threat protocols.

In the event of an active threat situation act to protect your personal safety immediately.
Your best options are to:

• RUN: Evacuate the area if it is safe to do so
• HIDE: Shelter in place and hide yourself if you cannot evacuate safely
• TAKE ACTION: As a last resort, commit yourself to delay, block or overcome the threat

For more information visit our Active Threat page and watch our informative video.
If you are interested in receiving additional information you can also sign up for an Active Threat Workshop provided by Campus Security here.

We also recommend that you visit the Health and Counselling Services', Critical Incident page for information on how to best offer and receive support services after such tragic incidences.

24 October 2016

Winterfest - Nov 2^nd

Join us for Winterfest, the annual event on SFU Burnaby to help everyone on campus know what to expect from winter on the 'hill'.  Warm up with hot chocolate while you learn about winterizing your vehicle, severe weather plans, and how to stay safe, happy, and healthy throughout the winter season.  Also win prizes and free giveaways from Winterfest vendors. The event is public and free. 

October 13, 2016

Severe Weather Resources

With October storms upon us, visit our Severe Weather page to get prepared with winter weather tips and resources.

For the latest severe weather updates you can follow @SFU on Twitter or visit the SFU News page. Also visit our Road Report page for current road conditions. 

October 11, 2016

ShakeOut BC Earthquake Drill - October 20th

The annual earthquake drill, ShakeOut BC is around the corner on Thursday, October 20^th.  Join us by practicing “Drop, Cover, & Hold On” earthquake procedures wherever you are at 10:20am. As part of the drill you’ll be receiving SFU Alert emergency notifications via text, email, or phone. Be sure to sign up beforehand, and then follow the instructions to practice your earthquake preparedness wherever you are!

Also, from 9:30am to 12pm, drop by a participation zone to pick up earthquake safety information, win prizes, and learn more about the drill:

• Burnaby- Saywell Atrium and WAC Bennett Library
• Vancouver- Harbour Centre
• Surrey- Mezzanine

More information available at: http://www.sfu.ca/shakeout

October 4, 2016

VPD Women's Safety Fair - Oct 5th

SFU is hosting the Vancouver Police Department and community partners for the fifth annual Women's Safety Fair on October 5th, at the SFU Vancouver, Harbour Centre.

The fair will feature a personal safety demonstration for women only by the VPD's Women's Personal Safety Team, a women-focused transit safety presentation by Transit Police, facilitated community discussions, and information booths. 

Attendees are invited to stop by the many booths being sponsored by partner agencies. They will hear from dedicated experts who will provide practical support and information to people affected by domestic violence, child abuse, sexual offences, street-level violence, elder abuse, internet luring, and more. There will be community discussions relating to ways that we as a community can challenge violence against women, as well as interactive personal safety demonstrations from experts in the field.

June 6, 2016

Mark LaLonde, Chief Safety Officer

Safety & Risk Services is pleased to announce that Mark LaLonde has joined SFU as our new Chief Safety Officer, effective June 6, 2016.

Mark comes to SFU from Xpera Risk Mitigation and Investigations where he was the Director, Risk Solutions Division. He is currently also a Sessional Faculty member in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of the Fraser Valley and was a consultant for Criminal Justice Reform at the United Nations Children's Fund and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 

He holds an MA in Justice and Public Safety Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University. 

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Mark to SFU and thank Laura MacDonald, Senior Director, Administration and Strategic Growth, for her role as Acting Chief Safety Officer in the interim.

May 9, 2016

Emergency Preparedness & Safety Days

Safety & Risk Services is pleased to host Emergency Preparedness & Safety Days (EPS Days) May 10th – 12th. Learn how to prepare for emergencies and stay safe while having fun riding the Quake Cottage earthquake simulator, winning prizes at the Safety Awareness Fair, and visiting us at the SRS Open House. Visit the event webpage for more details.

February 19, 2016

RCMP Advisory

Yesterday Burnaby RCMP responded to the report of a sexual assault on Burnaby Mountain Urban Trail. While this incident did not occur on campus, Burnaby RCMP and SFU Safety and Risk Services are advising university community members to be on the look out for the suspect, who is described as a Caucasian male with a slim build, 5’7 in height, balding and between the ages of 40 and 50-years-old.  At the time he was wearing black gloves, a grey hoodie, black jacket, black Adidas runners with green writing, and grey sweat pants that had very muddy cuffs.  Police have released a composite sketch of the sexual assault suspect here.

The safety and security of all SFU community members is the university's main priority. With this in mind, Burnaby RCMP are cautioning anyone in the area to take additional precautions of walking in pairs or groups when walking nearby this trail. 
 
For more information about the incident, please visit the Burnaby RCMP website. If you have any information about this incident, please contact the Burnaby RCMP’s Serious Crime Section at 604-294-7922, or Crime Stoppers, if you wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.

February 2, 2016

Zika Virus

There has been much media attention to the Zika virus which is currently circulating in Central and South America. This virus may be a new risk for those travelling to these regions, especially pregnant women or those considering becoming pregnant.  More information can be found here.

December 11, 2015

Transit Police News Release - Fraud Warning

The Transit Police have issued a news release regarding fraud that is occurring around SkyTrain stations.  The news release can be found here.

May 28, 2015

Statement from Terry Waterhouse, Chief Safety Officer

As an intervenor in Trans Mountain Expansion Project’s National Energy Board application, Simon Fraser University has submitted a document outlining our serious concerns around the project’s impact on the safety and security of our school community. At this time, SFU has yet to receive enough information to convince us that this proposed project addresses all of our health and safety concerns. The University has outlined all of these concerns in our submission to the NEB.

To read the full submission to the NEB on May 27, 2015, click here.

We remain committed to safeguarding the safety and security of our students and staff. To do so, SFU will continue its role as an active intervenor. We’re hopeful that the issues in our submission will be addressed by the NEB process. Should our concerns not be addressed, we will pursue all means necessary to address them on behalf of the SFU community. 

Please see below for a list of all SFU studies and evidence related to the proposed Trans Mountain Expansion Project: 

SFU's Written Submission to the NEB - May 27, 2015 

Review of Human Health risk Assessments: An Evidence Report - May 21, 2015 

Hazards of SFU Associated with Trans Mountain Expansion Project: A Gap Analysis - May 21, 2015 

Trans Mountain's Response to SFU Information Request No. 2  

Previous Trans Mountain Pipeline Updates