As we approach one year of almost all AU staff working from home, we have been hearing from many members about the cumulative effects of ongoing ergonomic issues. In December, AU provided one-time payments to staff members who moved to working from home due to COVID to help purchase new equipment.
While we applaud this gesture, it is becoming apparent that this was not enough to adequately meet many members’ ergonomic needs. In addition to concerns about the cost of equipment, we have received several complaints that suggest AU may not have adequately met their legal requirements to accommodate employees’ medical or workplace needs.
We also became aware that earlier this year that AU issued a request for proposals for a contractor to run the ergonomic program at AU. It is unclear the extent to which this contracted out work may replace, continue, or build on the ergonomic supports currently in place or those in place prior to COVID-related closures.
However, we recognize that this may be a broader issue affecting many staff who have not come forward yet. We are therefore asking AU employees to complete a short, anonymous survey to share perspectives and provide input on their experiences with the support for ergonomics they have received from AU.
Main Campus Inspection Complete
The Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee inspected the Main and ARC buildings last Thursday. Facilities has made significant progress over the past 12 months, both in renovating the building and in remedying past OHS issues.
No significant OHS problems were discovered during the inspection. Additional carbon monoxide monitoring of the ARC building was undertaken in January after anomalous reading in December. Additional monitoring did not turn up any results of concern. The December readings were likely the result of sensor error.
The Joint Committee meets again this month. Topic to be addressed include revisions to current OHS training and outgoing telephone messaging. Your main campus HIS representatives are Rhiannon Rutherford and Bob Barnetson.
Rhiannon Rutherford and Bob Barnetson
AUFA Main Campus OHS committee members