Environmental Health & Safety

Who We Are

Environmental Health and Safety personnel are customer service professionals with extensive knowledge of the OCAD U campus and university policies, rules and regulations. EHS personnel are trained in WHMIS 2015, Hazard Recognition, Air Quality Testing, Covid-19 Safety and other relevant skills.

Our primary role is to provide the community with PPE, Campus Safety Inspections, Contractor Safety, Hazardous Waste Removal, WHMIS 2015 Training, Air Quality Testing and other various health and safety related duties. EHS personnel are also able to address relevant health & safety concerns regarding the OCAD University community to students, staff, faculty and visitors. If you have any questions or concerns you can email us at ehs@ocadu.ca.

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EHS NEWS 

MPOX Information

What is Mpox?

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a viral illness that causes fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes and tiredness, followed by a rash over a person’s body. It is usually spread by close/intimate contact (skin to skin) and direct contact with rashes, scabs and bodily fluids. It can also spread by contact with materials that have been contaminated.  Mpox causes symptoms similar to smallpox but is less severe.

Prevention

Vaccination

Eligible groups can get the vaccine to protect against Mpox before a possible exposure to the virus (pre-exposure vaccination) or after being exposed (post-exposure vaccination).  For more information on eligibility and vaccine clinics, please refer to City of Toronto.

General Precautions

It is always good practice to clean your hands often with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after each contact with the person and after handling personal items such as clothing, linens, etc. or touching environmental surfaces that may have come into contact with fluid from rashes or sores.

Wear disposable gloves when handling personal items and performing cleaning tasks. Wash hands with soap and water or use a sanitizer after removing gloves. 

Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces (e.g. door handles, countertops).

Avoid shaking soiled laundry. Laundry can be washed in a standard washing machine with warm water and detergent.

What do you do if you think you have Mpox?

If you think you have Mpox, it is important to isolate right away and contact a health care provider for advice on testing and medical care. For more information on how to self-isolate, visit the Mpox: Self-Isolation Guidance webpage.

For students, do not come to the OCADU Student Wellness Centre in person if you think you have Mpox. Please call or email SWC and a virtual appointment can be scheduled. 

You can get tested for Mpox at many health care provider offices, local walk-in clinics or at sexual health clinics. Call in advance to make sure that mpox testing is available and tell them if you have had contact with a person with mpox. The OCADU Student Wellness Centre is not currently able to test for Mpox on site, however physicians can provide advice on testing and medical care. 

Most people recover from Mpox on their own within 2 to 4 weeks. However, some people can get seriously sick. Most people do not require treatment for Mpox.

What To Do If You Have Been Exposed To Mpox?

People who have been in contact with a person who has Mpox may be recommended to get post-exposure vaccination. They should monitor themselves for symptoms and avoid close contact with others for 21 days. If no symptoms appear, you can continue with normal activities. If you develop symptoms, you should isolate and contact a healthcare provider right away. 

For additional information, please refer to: Toronto Public Health – Mpox. 

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