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Safety and Security

UFV/Safety and Security/Report an incident/near miss

Report an incident/near miss

How to report an incident/near miss

1

If you need immediate help

  • In an emergency, always call 911 first (9-911 from a campus phone)
2

Tell the appropriate person

Notify your work supervisor or instructor about the incident as soon as possible after it happens.

3

Submit a Safety & Security incident form

Fill in and submit a Safety & Security incident report form within 24 hours. A copy of the form will be sent to your supervisor and EHS.

Types of incidents to report

  • A first-aid incident
  • An injury from a traffic accident
  • Illness from exposure to a substance on campus
  • A "near-miss" that could easily have caused harm
  • An accident or injury during a UFV field trip
  • A threat, assault, or other violence
  • Theft or vandalism
  • Suspicious activity
  • Sexualized violence (see below for reporting details)

 

Report an incident/near miss

 

If you are a student and you have experienced sexual violence or disruptive behaviours within the UFV community, please visit the Safe Student Community website. It provides information and reporting forms that will help you access support quickly.

 

Incident reporting at UFV

Submitting an incident report is crucial. It’s a way to capture the details of an incident while they’re still fresh in everyone’s mind. A report allows the Safety & Security team to investigate, follow up, and prevent future incidents. If you need time off, compensation, or accommodations after the incident, the report will help support your claim.

A serious incident might involve a major injury or death, a fire or explosion that had the potential to harm people, a structural or equipment collapse, or the major release of a hazardous substance. In the event of a serious injury, call for appropriate emergency services, then notify security so they can secure the scene.  Security is to notify the Safety & Security department immediately who will notify WorkSafeBC as necessary.

Steps for supervisors:

  • Call Security 1-855-239-7654 and ask them to contact Safety & Security.
  • Safety & Security will work with you to report the incident to Worksafe BC.

When you submit an incident report, your supervisor and the manager of Environmental Health & Safety will review it.

In the case of injuries requiring medical attention, the EHS Manager or a Health & Disability coordinator will contact you to support you.

Certain incidents require investigation to prevent recurrence, and you may also be contacted to participate in these investigations.

Please contact ehs@ufv.ca with any questions.

UFV students, staff, and faculty can use the Sexualized Violence Complaint form to share about an incident.  

All submitted reports are first reviewed by the Director, Safety and Security, who will then forward your report to the appropriate department for follow-up. All submitted reports will remain confidential throughout the process. Complaints involving students will be sent to the Student Rights & Responsibilities Office (SRRO) and those involving employees will be sent to Human Resources (HR). 

Submit a complaint

Looking for support? 

You don’t have to do this alone. We know making a complaint can be a challenging experience, and we are here to support you. To connect with resources or access more information before submitting, see the below resources 

  • Students: Contact campus resources such as the Student Support Centre (SSC), Counselling, or available community resources such as the crisis line. 
  • If you are a student wanting to share an experience of sexualized violence to get support or information, please use the Disclose sexualized violence form. 
  • Faculty/Staff: Reach out to the Director, Advisory Services & Labour Relations in HR for support and resources. Matt.Furgal@ufv.ca 

If you need urgent support please use the Suicide Crisis Helpline - Call or Text 9-8-8 https://988.ca/, the BC Crisis Centre Line (phone: 1-800-SUICIDE) 

What is Sexualized Violence? 

Sexualized violence includes any nonconsensual, unwanted, or coercive sexual activity or behaviour. There are many different forms of sexualized violence, including, but not limited to:  

  • Sexual assault 

  • Harassment 

  • Stalking 

  • Indecent exposure 

  • Voyeurism 

  • Distribution of sexual images without consent 

For detailed definitions and further examples, see UFV’s Policy 236 – Prevention, Education and Response to Sexualized Violence. 

What Information Do I Share on the Report? 

As this is an initial intake form, you may be asked to share more information with the responding office later. When filling out the online reporting form, please include a brief description of the incident(s), including, 

  • What happened: Describe what you experienced or witnessed. Which actions or behaviours occurred, and how did it affect you? 
  • Who was involved: Provide names, roles, or identifying information if known.  

What Happens After I Submit a Report? 

Your report will be kept confidential and reviewed first by Safety and Security, then directed either to the SRRO or HR as appropriate.  

Expect follow-up communication acknowledging that your complaint is received. You might also be asked to meet to discuss the complaint. 

  • When a student is the respondent, complaints under Policy 236 are handled through 204 – Safe Student Learning Community Policy and related procedures. For more information, check out information about this policy here. A Student Support Navigator will be assigned to provide resources and support throughout the process.  

Good to Know 

  • UFV may be unable to proceed with an investigation based on anonymous or third-party allegations due to a lack of evidence or when proceeding would violate procedural fairness. 
  • If you are reporting criminal activity, please consider contacting the police of local jurisdiction. For Abbotsford Police Department, Submit a report to the Abbotsford PD. 

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First aid & emergencies

Call 911 in emergencies
(9-911 from a UFV phone)

First aid:
1-855-282-7770
(local 7770)

Security:
1-855-239-7654
(local 7654)

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