Skip to main content

UVic-UCC obtains the COVID-19 safe University certificate

Agent Covid-19

UVic-UCC obtains the COVID-19 safe University certificate

UVic-UCC has obtained the "COVID-19 Safe Protocol" certificate after several months of external auditing. The hallmark guarantees that the University has correctly implemented the specific action plan which includes hygienic, health, organisational, safety and health risk prevention measures to reduce the risk of infection. According to the head of the Infrastructures and General Services Area at UVic, Arnau Bardolet, "the health of the university community has been a priority throughout the pandemic, and the hallmark we have obtained shows that we are doing things properly and is recognition of the efforts to adapt to the COVID situation made by the people at this institution."

The purpose of the audit, carried out by the external company TÜV Rheinland, is to ensure that work and teaching spaces are compliant with COVID-19 health and safety measures.  "It has not been an easy process, because UVic is a complex environment with many different spaces and users, which makes the certificate we have obtained even more commendable," says Bardolet. The Miramarges, Torre dels Frares, Masia de la Torre dels Frares, Zona Esportiva, Casa de Convalescència and Can Baumann buildings, which are all located on the Vic Campus, have been certified.

Access, case tracking and centralised information

The audit emphasises several strengths in the management of health and safety measures. First, it highlights the effective management of entrances, which have been reduced in number while maintaining emergency exits, and the performance of temperature and mask checks at all receptions. Another positive point is the tracking of COVID cases, including those arising from being in close contract and positive cases. The secretaries of the centre of each faculty have centralised the tracking of cases, and everybody who needed it has received support.

The correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the large number of hydroalcoholic gel dispensers located in all the buildings, including in lecture rooms, laboratories, offices and common areas, was also rated in positive terms. "The objective of this measure was for good hygienic habits to become part of the institution's day-to-day life right from the very beginning," says Arnau Bardolet.

The creation of Covid Agents and the centralisation of information, which is available to everyone through the Covid-19 portal on the Virtual Campus, were also key factors in obtaining the certificate. This portal contains all the available and updated information, ranging from affidavits and accreditation certificates, to information on how to reserve a space for lunch, and how to report cases of the disease.

Valid for one year, and reviewed after six months

In order to obtain the certificate, a team of auditors visited the University's facilities in order to verify its measures. After passing the audit, the University received a certificate that will be valid for one year. A follow-up audit will be carried out within six months of the certificate being issued to confirm that the control measures implemented have been maintained and adapted to the evolution of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, UVic will continue to implement any improvements which it is able to undertake in order to provide an even safer environment. In the short term, it plans to implement a closer oversight of the delivery of personal protective equipment, certifying that the user has received it correctly, and it will be organising a COVID training course which will be mandatory for everyone working at the University. "The ultimate goal of all these measures is for the university community to feel safe when they are inside our facilities, within the boundaries laid down by the Procicat civil protection plan, and to assume a shared responsibility for doing so, so that together we make the environment as safe as possible," concludes Bardolet.

 

 

Contact us

If you have a question, we have the answer

Contact