Archived Nov 8, 2022.
Updated September 20. 2021
Dear Colleagues: The University averages for vaccination rates are regularly posted by CMRO. Please note that the DS school averages are consistently higher. As of last Friday, 92% faculty, 90% staff, 97% graduate students, and 94% undergrads in the DS have reported that they are vaccinated. Despite these positive numbers, I am emailing to ask you to remind your group members to remain vigilant about compliance with protocols. Last Friday we had near misses with two students who were declared persona non grata and informed that termination was imminent. In both cases the students had uploaded their information correctly, so the action was precipitated either due to human error or a software glitch. The students had received a series of emails asking them to upload their vaccination record or be tested, which they ignored because they believed that they were compliant. I was informed at the termination step - given the confidential nature of such proceedings the situation became rapidly Kafkaesque and it took about 10 phone calls to find someone who was willing and able to intercede. Please remind your students, not to ignore any email about compliance with COVID-19 protocols - if they believe the emails are in error, it is better to let me know sooner than later. Best regards Sunil -- ___________________________________________________________ Sunil K. Saxena Professor and Chair
Update June 7, 2021
With the suspension of physical distancing requirements, I am pleased to let you know that begining Monday June 7 you can begin to operate labs at 100% density. Please keep following other COVID-19 protocols, such as face masks in the building, disinfection practices etc. In addition, please follow the DS’s Unit Activity Plan for other activities (e.g. meetings, visitors, travel etc). If you have received temporary space assignments, you can begin the process of bringing your labs to your assigned spaces, over the next few weeks.This has been a long hard year and I want to thank you all for your patience, cooperation, and hard work. I cannot express how deeply grateful I am for your support and for the resilience and strength of the faculty, staff, and students/trainees in this Department. Personally, I am going to cherish deeply the end of the restart forms!
| Face Coverings and Physical Distancing Changes on All Campuses |
https://universitycommunications-marketing.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/j/0F14216911E9FCBE2540EF23F30FEDED/F19FD65C29278144148F9D201EEB5695
Update May 27, 2021
Currently there are no changes to the physical distancing and mask requirements.
Updated Travel Guidance April 22, 2021
https://www.policy.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/covid/Safe_Mobility_Final.pdf
In addition to following CDC guidance, anyone who exhibits COVID-like symptoms upon return from any travel should consult https://www.coronavirus.pitt.edu/covid-19-campus before returning to campus.
201 Chevron item pick up hours (storage 1106)
Mitigation items Free from the Department of Chemistry for Research Labs
Tuesdays through Fridays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Refills for disinfectant spray bottles are available. This is for 1:16 Peroxiguard solution and for Cavicide.
Email jcjst22@pitt.edu if you need to make an appointment for another time.
Vaccination eligibility in the State of Pennsylvania quiz
Traveling out of state
“If you have traveled out-of-state and are returning, the commonwealth requires you to quarantine for 14 days prior to returning to on-campus work or test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours prior to returning to the state. Given a negative test is only a snapshot in time, you are still expected to shelter in place for 14 days prior to returning to campus.”
The link is: https://www.coronavirus.pitt.
Flex @ Pitt is an instructional model
https://www.technology.pitt.edu/flexatpitt
coronavirus.pitt.edu
Resilience Framework and Operational Postures
https://www.coronavirus.pitt.edu/return-campus/resilience-framework-operational-postures
Guidance for Supervisors of Symptomatic Employees
Guidelines for Responding to Symptomatic Individuals
https://www.coronavirus.pitt.edu/covid-19-campus/guidelines-responding-symptomatic-individuals
Have a safe and enjoyable winter recess.
Do you need a test?
A medical doctor will tell you.
If you test positive,
if you have symptoms but have not been on campus in the last 14 days, or
you are designated a close contact.
For students, they will get their quarantine/isolation instructions from Student Health. Faculty and staff will get their instructions from My Health @ Work (MH@W, Employee Health).
Faculty and Staff
Call My Health @ Work Center 412-647-4949 before going to the clinic.
Pitt Employees: MyHealth@Work will be closed on Thursday, December 24th, Friday, December 25th, Thursday, December 30th, and Friday, January 1st. If you experience COVID-19 symtoms please during this period please contact your personal physician on those days, and follow up with MyHealth@Work (412-647-4949) the next business day so contact tracing can be performed. Updated Dec 16, 2020
Graduate Students
Call Student Health Service at 412-383-1800 call first.
Students: Student Health Services will be checking messages during Winter Recess. If you have coronavirus questions, symptoms or concerns, please leave a message at 412-383-1800. Updated Dec 16, 2020
COVID-19 Medical Response Office – CRMO
https://www.coronavirus.pitt.edu/healthy-community/campus-cases
https://www.coronavirus.pitt.edu/updates
Student counseling office for graduate students and undergraduate students
https://www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/cc/
Student counseling office 412-648-7930
Area activity plan for the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences applies to the Department of Chemistry
“Ensure physical distancing of at least six feet between University members
Chairs and desks in shared spaces should be removed or marked as not for use to ensure proper physical distancing.”
Occupied researcher desks must be 2 meters apart.
All activities under the three operational phases
Violations
Report to chemchr@pitt.edu
Mitigation personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies
http://researchservices.pitt.edu/covid
https://cfo.pitt.edu/pexpress/OrderingPPECOVIDSupplies.php
Guidelines for Cleaning, Disinfection and Hygiene
https://www.policy.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/covid/Cleaning%20Disinfection%20Hygiene%20FINAL.pdf
Office of Policy Development and Management – COVID-19 Standards and Guidelines
https://www.policy.pitt.edu/univemaskrsity-policies-and-procedures/covid-19-standards-and-guidelines
EH&S COVID-19 Resources
https://www.ehs.pitt.edu/ehs-covid-19-resources
Reporting room for improvement with temperature scanners can be done online
https://app.convercent.com/en-us/LandingPage/2d6327d5-9fec-ea11-a974-000d3ab9f296
(EH&S is not involved with the implementation of the temperature scanners)
(EH&S does pass these concerns to the appropriate department during their weekly checks of the concierge tables around campus.)
Lab Procedures:
Emergency - Call 412-624-2121
Pitt Police are trained for the full spectrum of responses and how to get right personnel (Police, Fire; EHS) on site.
Fire Alarm – Exit down to the first floor and exit using any stairwell.
In the event of an emergency situation (fire evacuation, chemical incident evacuation) use the nearest stairwell.
Move away from the building; maintain distance between individuals.
Lab safety, chemical related question/concerns: Environmental Health and Safety
Email EHS Safety@pitt.edu
Call EHS 412-624-9505
Emergencies call 412-624-2121
Safety:
Do Not work alone in a lab.
Do not work in a teaching lab without an instructor/Teaching assistant.
Do not work alone in a research lab.
How to work close to someone else for training when absolutely necessary?
https://www.ehs.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/docs/COVID19-FaceCoveringsPPEGuidance.pdf
Chemical spills
Call the Pitt Police at 412-624-2121 they will contact EH&S specialists
Chemical waste
To access the chemical waste vault borrow the key from the DSS Stockroom 326 Chevron.
Announced research lab inspections
COVID safety issues will be discussed
EH&S has switched to a new on-line inspection method and will be reaching out to all research groups to begin adding their laboratory information to the system in November
EH&S will continue to do in-person inspections as in years past in November through January
Social distancing vs. not working alone in the lab:
Check-in with your research PI who can check in with EH&S. Mark from EH&S says that he can do a 10-minute walkthrough of a research lab space to provide guidance on what a single lab looks like starting the week of Nov. 16th
Tips and Tricks
Stay at home when you can.
Consider updating shift times with the current experience gained since the return to research.
Use safer ways of sharing information,
Use videos for training on common lab devices and procedures
For tacit knowledge use zoom to see and stay 2 m apart while in the same room still being able to talk to one another.
Buying more shared equipment can help (e.g., handheld micropipeters.)
Wear gloves when using shared equipment to add a layer of protection.
Wash hands regardless of wearing gloves as a mitigation procedure.
Arrangement labs for better traffic flow that stops passing researchers.
Check on computers for instruments before you are ready to use them.
If you are sick on an exam day contact your professor. (If you’re teaching contact your colleagues and supervisor.)
Stop interactions of less than 6 feet (2 m apart) take several steps make it 2 m.
The Chevron balcony is sometimes empty.
Map out the shared spaces, designate areas (use tape).
Utilize contactless methods, e.g., QR codes.
Have a map and electronically log users and the maximum occupancy for areas.
Have Computers log users out automatically.
Keep up good communication: up, down, and across.
Researchers should share safety info about their lab with support folks (facilities or shop) when repairs are being made, have the area clean and share what is dangerous.
Support individuals need to communicate tools that the support folks will use to fix any problems e.g., a torch might need to be used and there are flammable samples nearby.
Planning Ahead
See the self-attestation form for any changes to quarantining after vacation.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (PA) has travel and quarantining policies https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Travelers.aspx
If you’re new to a research group please review the group SOPs for research during the pandemic.
Area Activity Plan – Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
https://www.coronavirus.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/dietrich_school_activitiy_area_plan_provost_approved_8.3.2020.pdf
Inside Chevron Access
Chevron passenger elevators and stairwells on floors 5-14. In order to access the upper floors, you will need to use your prox card. The passenger elevators and stairwells will operate as they do when the building is closed. Please keep your prox card on you at all times as not to get locked out. As always, you can exit the stairwells on the 1st floor. (per Mary Beth Tuesday, September 8, 2020.)
Parking
Parking Update During Winter Break
https://www.pittwire.pitt.edu/announcements/parking-update-during-winter-break Updated Dec. 16, 2020
Parking for Parking 5 days a week is less expensive with a permit
Parking 2.5 days a week at the $5 per day app rate is the university’s help for lowering the costs for essential research access.
Non-permit holders who are approved to work on campus can park at the OC, OH, RA, A, U, PH, SO and MP. A map of campus parking locations can be found at the following campus parking locations. A daily rate of $5.00 will need to be paid through the ParkMobile App. Payment instructions can be found below. For contact-less payment, ParkMobile is available at the following parking locations: OC, OH, RA, A, U, PH SO, and MP. Cash payments will not be accepted. To utilize the ParkMobile app:
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- Download the ParkMobile app to your smartphone and create an account
- Select a parking location
- Purchase parking at your selected location prior to garage/lot arrival
- Your payment will be directly linked to your license plate
- Upon garage/lot arrival, please have your parking confirmation located on the app available to show to attendant
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Accounts can also be created online at parkmobile.com or, to use by phone, call 1-877-727-5281. You must have a ParkMobile account to utilize this service. Parking is subject to availability.
COVID-19 Mitigation PPE and Supplies
Frequently asked questions for the Department of Chemistry about COVID mitigation items
We have been directed to place orders at the Department level for items on the COVID mitigation list.
Items on the COVID mitigation item list currently available through the University’s program, and
Disinfectant SDS links:
researchservices.pitt.edu/COVID.
Dietrich School Scientific Stockroom (DSS Stockroom) COVID-19 Mitigation PPE and Supplies
- Consolidate orders to the department or unit level.
- These items are Not for home use.
- Ensure that deliveries can be accepted at your University building/facility.
- Gloves are for use while disinfecting work areas.
In general, the PPE that was required for a task before the pandemic is still required to perform that task.
For potential cost recovery please keep regular stockroom orders separate form COVID-19 Mitigation orders.
In-stock Supply information is available: http://researchservices.pitt.edu/COVID
For step by step instructions, please go to: http://researchservices.pitt.edu/COVID-how-to
UPDATED:
- July 14, 2021.
- Refills for disinfectant spray bottles are available. This is 1:16 Peroxiguard solution and CAVICIDE.
Gloves recycling:
It is reasonable, to dispose of all gloves contaminated with chemicals as chemical waste and to dispose of gloves used for cleaning/disinfecting in the trash.