While the COVID-19 pandemic has made it challenging to source personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies, University teams have been hard at work centrally procuring safety and cleaning items in alignment with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Environmental Protection Agency.
As more faculty and staff return to the campus workplace over the summer and the University prepares for fall reopening, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety Services has released new guidelines for requesting PPE and cleaning supplies, including masks, disinfectants and hand sanitizer.
Facilities Services works diligently to clean and disinfect each building daily throughout the University and has increased the frequency of cleaning in high-traffic areas. To further reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace, the Return to Campus Guidance for Faculty and Staff asks all of us to pitch in to help keep shared and personal work areas as clean and free from germs as possible. Here are some helpful things to know.
Who Can/Should Request Cleaning Supplies and PPE?
Schools, colleges and departments are encouraged to compile their initial COVID-19 supply needs and make one request via the COVID-19 supply request form. The request should be made by a dean, senior leader or their designee with leadership approval.
Don’t Stockpile Supplies—Request Only What Is Needed
The guidelines provide recommendations for where disinfectants and dry paper wipes should be made available to support the cleaning and disinfecting of personal and shared work areas, as well as guidance for requesting additional masks and hand sanitizer beyond what is provided to every employee upon campus return.
Schools, colleges and departments are encouraged to follow these guidelines and request only what is needed for the resumption of on-campus operations this summer and the initial campus reopening in August (not the entire Fall 2020 semester). More supplies can be requested, especially as supply chain availability improves. Excessive requests will be flagged for review by University leadership.
Where To Find More Information
- Read the full PPE and Cleaning Supply Request Guidelines on ehss.syr.edu.
- Visit the Office of Human Resources website for FAQ related to cleaning and PPE.
- Visit the Syracuse.edu/fall2020 website for additional information specific to fall reopening.