Winter closure 2023: Safeguard your workspace

Safeguard your workspace during the holiday closure

Before you leave for winter break, follow these instructions to safeguard your personal property and university infrastructure:

 1. Take precautions

• Secure or take home personal items.
• Take home or dispose of all food items from personal space and refrigerators.
• Unplug portable space heaters, humidifiers, air cleaners, etc.
• Shut down laboratory experiments and lower fume hood sashes as far as possible. Where experiments must continue, ensure that all connections (e.g. condensing water supply) are secure; clearly label the experiment and post name(s) and contact information in case of emergency.
• If your department has access control systems, correctly set the door lock/unlock schedules and ensure computers controlling these systems are left ON to enable the Control Centre to perform remote operations if necessary.
• Make sure the contact information on lab hazard signs is up to date.
• Make sure low-temperature research freezers are in working order.
• If you will be working during the closure, keep your university ID, access cards, and keys with you at all times.

2. Protect your space

• Turn gas valves in labs to the OFF position. 
• Close and lock doors.
• Close and lock windows where appropriate.
• Store hazardous products in a secure location.
• Remove or properly store laboratory waste that is not removed before the break.
• To report a security concern or theft call Protective Services at 780-492-5050.

3. Check in over the break

• If you think it's necessary, have a plan to check server rooms or other critical areas that are not monitored by the Control Centre to check on temperature conditions, etc.
• If you have a freezer or cold room containing critical material, consider conducting physical checks during the closure in case of remote alarm failure.
• Check museum and research collections periodically for water damage, etc. 

4. Conserve energy and water

• Turn off photocopiers and unplug personal appliances (such as coffee makers).
• Turn off or completely shut down all water (such as distilled water systems that are not required to run continuously).
• Turn off lights and close lab fume hoods.
• Properly sort your recycling and waste.
• Set fridges and freezers to their warmest settings if they are being left empty.

Make sure you do a final walkthrough of your area before leaving.

Have a safe and restful holiday season!