COVID-19 Health and Safety

Updated November 23, 2021, at 9:33 a.m.

To report a positive COVID-19 test result, close contact exposure or a related issue, follow the COVID-19 Public Health Guidance and Requirements Flowchart and notify covidehc@uw.edu or call 206.616.3344.

The Environmental Health & Safety Department (EH&S) maintains COVID-19 prevention policies, guidance, and resources for the UW community.

Additional University-wide information about COVID-19 is available on the UW Novel coronavirus & COVID-19 page.

Please refer to the University's COVID-19 Prevention Plan for the most current workplace COVID-19 prevention policies and guidance.

What's new

Cleaning and Disinfection Protocol for COVID-19 (updated 11/16/21)
University of Washington COVID-19 Prevention Plan for the Workplace (Word, PDF, updated 11/15/21)
COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Policy for Venues and In-Person University Events (updated 11/10/21)
COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Poster (added 11/10/21)
COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines for In-Person Events (updated 11/10/21)

EH&S will update its guidance as new information becomes available.

Join the EH&S COVID-19 mailing list get regular updates. Click on "Enter this group" to add yourself to the list. You must log in with your UWNetID to access the mailing list.

COVID-19 resources

COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfection Protocol (Updated 11/16/21)

The COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfection Protocol is an element of the University’s COVID-19 Prevention Plan with the goal of ensuring a healthy and safe campus.

COVID-19 Chemical Disinfectant Safety Information (Updated 5/15/20)

THe COVID-19 Chemical Disinfectant Safety information covers safety information about EPA-registered disinfectants, such as potential health hazards and personal protective equipment recommendations, for commonly used disinfectants.mation.

Electrostatic Sprayers Focus Sheet (Updated 1/21/21)

Electrostatic sprayers are typically used by custodians or other units tasked with disinfecting large areas. Follow the guidance in this focus sheet when using electrostatic sprayers.

Hand Sanitizer Fire Safety: Safe Handling, Dispensing and Storing

Because alcohol-based hand sanitizers are highly flammable, the storage and dispensation within buildings are regulated by fire codes. Follow these guidelines to ensure hand sanitizers are stored, dispensed and handled safely.

Safer Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting Strategies to Reduce and Prevent COVID-19 Transmission

Safer cleaning guidance from the University of Washington Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences Continuing Education Programs

University units can purchase EPA-registered cleaning and disinfectant products approved for use against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 illness) at the Creative Communications Safe and Clean Storefront. Information about accessing the storefront is available from UW Procurement.

UW personnel and students may purchase supplies from the Healthy Huskies Vending Machines.

Contact EH&S at ehsdept@uw.edu or call 206.543.7262 with questions about cleaning and disinfection procedures.

EH&S, in coordination with local and state public health agencies, responds to suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the UW community and takes action to prevent further transmission.

The public health response activities include a case interview, risk assessment, providing guidance for self-isolation, notifications to those impacted and contact tracing.

The University’s response protocol is described on the COVID-19 Case Response page, which covers reporting requirements, case investigation, notifying close contacts, and evaluation of spaces for additional cleaning and disinfection.

Contact the EH&S COVID-19 Response Team with questions at covidehc@uw.edu or 206.616-3344.

University units are required to take measures to prevent sick personnel from entering the worksite per the University's COVID-19 Prevention Plan for the Workplace.

Report all COVID-19 cases and close contact exposures to the COVID-19 Response and Prevention Team.

View the COVID-19 Public Health Requirements and Guidance Flowchart (updated 10/25/21) for information on when to report COVID-19 illness and close contact exposure, when to get tested for COVID-19, and when to stay home.

Stay home: If you are sick, you must stay home and away from other people, even if you are vaccinated and/or have mild symptoms. University units are required to direct personnel to follow the steps in the FAQ “What do I do if I feel sick?”
Get tested for COVID-19. For testing options, including options that are of no cost to you, read the FAQ “I want to get tested for COVID-19, where can I go?"

If you are enrolled in the Husky Coronavirus Testing program, a voluntary research program, report your symptoms in your daily symptom survey, and you will receive testing instructions. Do not go to school or work until you receive your test result, even if you feel better.
Notify the UW COVID-19 Response and Prevention Team as soon as possible if you test positive for COVID-19 at covidehc@uw.edu or 206.616.3344. UW medical center personnel should contact their respective employee health services.
Follow public health guidelines to help you recover and protect others from getting sick. These actions include staying home and physically away from people and pets, wearing a face covering, and being stringent about hygiene. Read the FAQ “What do I do if I have confirmed or suspected COVID-19?” on the UW COVID-19 frequently asked questions webpage for more information about steps you’ll need to take.

3. Notify the UW COVID-19 Response and Prevention Team if you have close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19, regardless of your vaccination status. The exposed individual is required to follow the quarantine requirements outlined in the FAQ “I may have been exposed to COVID-19. What should I do?”

Washington Exposure Notifications –WA Notify mobile app is a tool to alert users if they may have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive person. University personnel and students are encouraged to download or activate the app on their mobile devices.

Read the Quarantine and Isolation Guidance to find answers to questions about staying home and away from other people after testing positive or having close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19.

All reports of positive test results received by EH&S among UW community members are reported on the University’s COVID-19 Case Tracking Dashboard page. The identity and personal information of individuals who test positive for COVID-19 is protected and not released to the public.

EH&S fulfills the University’s public health responsibilities to document suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the UW community and take action to prevent further transmission. Visit the COVID-19 Case Response page to read about the University's response to a case of COVID-19 in the UW community, and actions taken to prevent transmission.

The University of Washington COVID-19 Prevention Plan for the Workplace (PDF, Word, updated 11/15/21) helps ensure the health and safety of personnel by reducing the potential for COVID-19 transmission at the University of Washington.

The University Plan covers all University work environments. To ensure compliance with the University Plan, each University unit is required to develop and implement a unit-specific COVID-19 prevention plan that covers all personnel of a unit work area(s).

Personnel must complete the online COVID-19 Safety Training: Back to the Workplace course (updated 9/3/21) prior to or upon returning to work at a University location if they have not previously taken the course.

In addition, University units with personnel who will be initiating work on site at a University location are required to review the unit or site-specific COVID-19 Prevention Plan with personnel prior to or upon starting work on site.

The University’s COVID-19 Safety Training: Back to the Workplace includes information and resources to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 on our campuses.

COVID-19 Safety Training Report

University supervisors, managers and unit leaders can access a report of COVID-19 Safety Training records by organization code or manager using the COVID-19 Safety Training Report tool.

For more information about safety training, contact EH&S at ehsdept@uw.edu or 206.543.7262.

For events that require approval through the Use of University Facilities (UUF) process, event organizers must work the venue operator to complete an In-Person Event COVID-19 Prevention Plan and keep it on file.

UW Seattle UUF Request Form (You don't need to submit the In-Person Event COVID-19 Prevention Plan with the UW Seattle UUF Request Form).
UW Tacoma UUF Request Form

For events that don’t require approval through the UUF process, event organizers must submit a completed In-Person Event COVID-19 Prevention Plan to the relevant University unit representative or sponsor.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Policy for Venues and In-Person University Events (updated 11/10/21) assists University of Washington units, event organizers and venue operators in establishing a vaccine requirement for University sponsored, organized or hosted events.

Faculty, staff and students facilitating in-person meetings, including one-on-one meetings, related to University business, research activities or academic instruction are required to follow all aspects of their unit’s COVID-19 Prevention Plan. In addition, meeting facilitators may choose to use the optional COVID-19 prevention strategies described in the Meeting Safely During COVID-19 Focus Sheet.

Follow the Eating and Drinking Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention (updated 8/31/21) best practices when eating and drinking, food sharing, and designating areas for eating and drinking.

University of Washington COVID-19 Face Covering Policy and Frequently Asked Questions (updated 9/22/21, see the log of changes)

Refer to the Facemask Focus Sheet (updated 9/17/21) for quick guidance on when face coverings are required, when face coverings can be removed and what type of face covering is acceptable.
Refer to the Differences between Face Coverings, Facemasks and Respirators (updated 9/14/21) to understand the differences and similarities of these face protectors.

University units can purchase face coverings at the Creative Communications Safe and Clean Storefront. Information about accessing the storefront is available from UW Procurement.

UW personnel and students may obtain supplies from Healthy Huskies Vending Machines.

Workplace COVID-19 Risk Level and Selection of Personal Protective Equipment (updated 8/12/21)

EH&S characterizes work at the different risk exposure levels, and lists required and recommended PPE for the specific job roles/activities.

Guidance on Facemask Use for Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 (updated 8/13/21)

This guidance assists units with selecting facemasks and provides instructions on the correct use and care of facemasks.

COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment and Supplies Performance Standards and Guidelines for purchasing (updated 3/18/21)

The purpose of this document is to assist departments during the personal protective equipment (PPE) procurement process and serves as a guide to determine if PPE meets minimum performance standards. This helps ensure PPE will provide adequate protection to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

Advisory Information for Employees Who Voluntarily Use Respirators

Voluntary use of respirators is permitted as long as exposure to substances remains below the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) permissible exposure limits (PELs) or there is no exposure to an airborne biological hazard. All UW employees who voluntarily choose to use a respirator must review and sign the Advisory Information for Employees Who Voluntarily Use Respirators.

Steps for safely putting on (donning) and taking off (doffing) PPE:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) instructions for using personal protective equipment (PPE)

Instructions for cloth face coverings/masks:

The Whole U - Protective Cloth Mask Making Tutorial
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
VIDEO: Hilary Godwin, dean of the UW School of Public Health explains why wearing a facemask is important

Instructions for removing disposable gloves:

How to Remove Gloves instructions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
VIDEO: The Beaking Method of Glove Removal by Sean Kaufman

University units should use the Eating and Drinking Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention (updated 8/31/21) to designate eating and drinking spaces.

The Shower and Locker Room Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention (added 9/27/21) describes the University’s requirements and best practices for COVID-19 prevention in showers and locker/changing rooms.

COVID-19 Prevention for Building Maintenance (updated 10/8/20)

UW Facilities Building Readiness Guidelines page contains information for building coordinators, including EH&S's Building Readiness Checklist (updated 7/14/21).

See the Ventilation and HVAC section of this webpage for more information about natural and mechanical ventilation of University buildings..

Room occupancy restrictions (including restrictions on elevator capacity) for COVID-19 prevention are no longer in effect as of 7/7/21.

Restrictions on the use of the public restrooms for COVID-19 prevention are no longer in effect as of 7/7/21.

Study Space Guidelines for COVID-19 Prevention are no longer in effect as of 7/26/21.

COVID-19 Food Establishment Reopening and Operating Procedures (updated 9/3/21)

Food service establishments operating in a University location during the COVID-19 pandemic are required to follow these procedures to comply with the Washington state Retail Food Code, University policies and state requirements and guidelines for preventing COVID-19.

Food establishments planning to reopen after temporarily closing operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and establishments currently operating should complete the Food Establishment Reopening and Operating Checklist.

TOOLS FOR SAFELY RESUMING WORK IN THE LAB

Use the Key Elements of Lab Self-Inspections focus sheet.
Document your self-inspection with the Laboratory Safety Checklist
View this video on the Lab Self-Inspections webpage

GUIDANCE FOR REVISING YOUR RETURN TO IN-PERSON RESEARCH PLANS

Visit the Office of Research website for information on updating your Return to In-Person Research Plans.

For those conducting field work, ensure that your field research activities are accounted for in your COVID-19 Prevention Plan; COVID-19 precautions may also be incorporated into a more general Fieldwork Safety Plan. In addition, researchers should reference and follow the these precautions around travel, as applicable:

EH&S is available for consultation and to assist in risk assessments if more stringent quarantine and testing frameworks are needed for specific fieldwork operations.

The COVID-19 Quarantine and Testing Risk Framework for Field Work guidance has been archived.

BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLANNING

EH&S has created a Guide to Business Continuity and Recovery Planning for Laboratories and Research Spaces to supplement your existing business continuity plans. It includes a checklist and is intended to assist faculty, staff, laboratories and research facilities in maintaining research continuity consistent with their own unique needs and circumstances.

COVID-19 RESEARCH BIOSAFETY GUIDANCE

EH&S has COVID-19 Research Biosafety Guidance to assist investigators planning research involving SARS-CoV-2 to understand the health and safety considerations and compliance expectations necessary to safely facilitate the research.

ENHANCED CLEANING AND DISINFECTION

EH&S asks research laboratories and facilities to also implement COVID-19 cleaning and disinfection protocols, which includes disinfection of high touch surfaces (e.g., switches, benchtops, commonly used hand tools, and shared PPE).

Additional Resources:

Office of Research: Mitigating Impacts to Research Activities Due to COVID-19

University COVID-19 information and Resources

If you have any questions please contact EH&S Research & Occupational Safety at labcheck@uw.edu or 206.685.3993.

The University of Washington Guidance for Plexiglass Barriers (updated October 29, 2020) provides a review of the benefits, limitations and performance standards for plexiglass barriers, and guidance for prioritizing the installation. University units considering the use of barriers may consider this alternative strategy as a component of their overall COVID-19 prevention efforts.

Requests for plexiglass barriers are initiated by submitting the Plexiglass Barrier Request Form (updated June 15, 2020) to UW Facilities. UW Facilities units will coordinate with EH&S to review the requests. EH&S can also be consulted for assistance at 206.543.7262 or ehsdept@uw.edu.

The Stay Healthy, Huskies toolkit contains posters for COVID-19 prevention that should be placed in work areas.

UW units can download and print posters at no cost from the Stay Healthy, Huskies toolkit, or order printed posters and graphics from the Creative Communications Safe and Clean Storefront. Information about accessing the storefront is available from UW Procurement.

Building coordinators are responsible for the placement of posters at building entrances, near restrooms, in lobbies, in common areas, on bulletin boards, in break rooms, near elevators and at entrances to work areas per the Building Readiness Guidelines.

Caution: When placing posters, be careful to not disturb building materials. The University prohibits the use of nails and other implements that cause damage to walls, doors and other surfaces that may contain lead, asbestos and other regulated building materials.

University units with personnel who will be initiating work on site at a University location are required to review the unit or site-specific COVID-19 Prevention Plan with personnel before or upon starting work on site.

Personnel must also complete the online COVID-19 Safety Training: Back to the Workplace (if they have not previously taken the course) prior to or upon returning to work on site at a University location.

Submission of a daily symptom attestation is no longer required in most settings, with the exception of health care settings. The University offers a daily symptom attestation and guidance for health care facilities and other units with location-specific requirements for submitting a symptom attestation.

UW personnel must continue to self-monitor daily for COVID-19 symptoms and stay home (or go home) if sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Personnel who experience any symptoms of COVID-19 infection, including fever (100.4 degrees or higher), cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, loss of taste and/or smell, chills, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, headache, muscle or body aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, are required to stay home and away from other people, regardless of vaccination status or severity of symptoms. Read the FAQ “What do I do if I feel sick?" for more information.

The article How Ventilation in UW Buildings Works on the UW Facilities website contains information about the measures taken to improve natural and mechanical ventilation in UW buildings.

In addition, building occupants can find answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 prevention involving building ventilation systems in the COVID-19 Ventilation FAQs (updated 7/9/21).

The UW hired a testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) contractor and industrial hygiene (IH) consultant to provide mechanical ventilation assessments and data validation for 93 classrooms in UW-owned buildings at the main Seattle Campus. The Classroom Ventilation Performance Summary Report (10/21/21) summarizes the results.

The Environmental Health & Safety Department (EH&S), in partnership with Human Resources, the Office of Academic Personnel, UW Facilities and the Office of Research, hosted webinars on August 30 and 31, 2021, to provide guidance to University units to develop and implement workplace COVID-19 prevention plans in support of increased return to on-site work.

View a recording of the COVID-19 Prevention in the Workplace Webinar from August 31, 2021 (UWNetID login required).

More information

In addition to these resources, the UW Novel coronavirus & COVID-19: facts and resources page has information about the University's response to COVID-19 and public health guidance for the UW community.

Refer to the University's COVID-19 recovery status webpage for additional information on a safe return to the workplace.

Back to the Workplace face coverings required poster