Safety Protocol FAQs

Safeguarding the Campus Community 

• How can I help prevent the spread of viruses including Coronavirus?
  • Wash your hands using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, generously use your hand sanitizer. 
  • Carry hand sanitizer with you at all times.
  • Wear your face covering/mask properly (above your nose and covering your chin).
  • Do not share food/drinks and personal items with anyone, including your friends or roommates.
  • Keep a physical distance of 6 feet to the best of your ability.
  • Clean all surface areas in your immediate space at least once per day, including your computer keyboard, credit cards, eye glasses, writing implements, cell phone, door knobs, light switches.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue (or into your elbow when a tissue is not available) when you cough and sneeze.
  • Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Student should contact Student Health Services at (631) 632-6740 if you feel ill for an appointment.  Do not go to class or work, and stay in your room if you live on campus until the SHS provider has provided guidance to you on if you need a COVID-19 test.
  • Get your flu shot.
• Are employees required to wear face coverings while at work?
  • Face coverings are worn to help prevent the spreading of germs to other people.  Face coverings prevent droplets from being passed into the air when you cough or sneeze. Face coverings MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES when on campus,  except in the following situations:

  • When seated at a designated dining table and are eating or drinking.
  • When in your office alone without any visitors. 

  • Outdoor spaces when at least 6 feet of physical distance can be maintained.
  • Employees will be provided with two (2) cloth face coverings.
  • Employees may also opt to wear their own face coverings.
• What is considered a face covering and what is the correct way to wear a face covering?
   An approved face mask/covering must cover your nose and mouth, and either include straps that hook over your ears OR be of a material that remains over your nose and mouth without use of your hands.  It is not acceptable to use a t-shirt, or other item to substitute as a face mask/covering.
• Will the University provide face coverings and gloves to employees returning to the workplace? If so, how do I get these supplies?

  The University is committed to the health and safety of the campus community. As such, cloth face coverings and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided to employees. Alternatively, employees may bring and wear their own appropriate PPE.  Face coverings can be obtained by contacting your Supervisor.

• My job entails contact with the public and/or other employees. Will the University install protective barriers at my workstation?
  Engineering controls, such as the use of protective barriers, may be used in situations where face-to-face or close interactions must take place between people, and they cannot be eliminated through other administrative controls. Requests for engineering controls should be submitted through your Building Manager.
• I share an office with another person. Can one of us be moved so we are further apart?

  Workstations should be at least six feet apart from other occupied workstations.   Each department should evaluate placement of personnel to ensure appropriate social distancing.

• What if I notice unsafe working conditions?
  Safety concerns should first be reported to and discussed with your supervisor.  Environmental Health & Safety can be contacted at 631-632-6410 or  ehsafety@stonybrook.edu if assistance is needed to evaluate hazards in the workplace.  Any condition that poses an imminent and serious risk to the health or safety of an individual should be reported to University Police so that immediate action can be taken. 
• Are contractors required to wear face coverings while working on campus?
  • Contractors, vendors and suppliers are expected to comply with University Covid-19 guidelines. Face Coverings MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES when on campus,  except in the following situations:

  • When seated at a designated dining table and are eating or drinking.
  • When in your office/room alone without any visitors. 

  • Outdoor spaces when at least 6 feet of physical distance cannot be maintained.

   
• Should gloves be worn to protect me from the SARS-CoV-2 virus?

  For the general public, wearing gloves is not necessary in most situations, like running errands. The CDC recommends wearing gloves when you are cleaning or caring for someone who is sick.  When used improperly gloves can give you a false sense of security and actually increase your risk, and the risk to others, of cross-contamination and exposure.

  Gloves should be worn when working with hazardous materials (cleaning products, harsh chemicals), or when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces after caring for someone who is sick. Gloves should not be worn when doing other general errands or work. The CDC provides guidance on the use of gloves on their website, including when, and when not to, wear gloves. They also have single-page posters that can be posted in public areas to help emphasize this message with building occupants.

  The CDC recommends that the best way to prevent the spread of the virus is to practice everyday preventive actions like keeping social distance (at least 6 feet) from others, washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds (or using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol), and wearing a mask when you have to go out in public.

Social Distancing

• How will the University ensure that employees are maintaining social distancing and using face coverings?
  Preventing the spread of the virus is everyone’s responsibility. Departments will be required to submit Return-to-Workplace Plans and must ensure that staff and others comply with these requirements. Individuals who fail to comply may be referred to Labor Relations or Student Affairs.
• How long will social distancing measures last?

  It is unknown how long these measures will last. The University will continue to follow the CDC’s and the Department of Health’s guidance. 

• Will in-person meetings be allowed?

  In-person meetings are permissible when held in small groups with participants practicing social distancing (at least six feet apart) and face coverings are worn. Faculty and staff are encouraged to continue holding lower priority meetings online where practicable.  

• Will other spaces in my work area be closed, such as breakrooms, kitchen or other facilities?
  Some of these communal areas may be limited or closed temporarily.

Carpooling & COVID-19

• Is it ok to carpool and what safety precautions should I take if I do?

  While it is considered best practice to avoid carpooling as much as possible due to COVID-19 and its potential spread, there are situations when it may not be avoidable. If that happens, we want you to know the recommendations for doing so in the safest possible way:
   • WEAR MASKS in a shared vehicle at all times

   • Use FRESH AIR through VENTS and through WINDOWS

   • LIMIT THE NUMBER of people in the vehicle

   • RIDE to work WITH the SAME PEOPLE

   • COVER COUGHS and SNEEZES and DO NOT carpool if you are feeling ill or have COVID symptoms

   • Use proper HAND HYGIENE

   • CLEAN and DISINFECT surfaces in the vehicle often

  If you do develop symptoms or test positive, please consider letting your carpooling partner know.