This message contains important information about research operations.

Please refer to the COVID-19 Response: Guidance for Researchers website for updates.

Access to disinfectant wipes

As we continue to approve Critical and Expanded Research activities on campus, Staff Wellness has made disinfectant wipes available for your workspace.

“Prevent the Spread” Reminder

Please remember to continue to take measures to prevent the spread of respiratory illness:

• Stay home if you are not feeling well;
• Practice physical distancing at 2 metres from others;
• Wash hands often and well;
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands; and
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or tissue.

Access to disinfectant wipes
We want to provide you with the opportunity to access disinfectant wipes (see below). This service will be provided by Staff Wellness while demand exists.

The University’s cleaning teams will be concentrating efforts on high touch areas such as door handles, door rails, and restrooms. Certain areas will not be cleaned as frequently as before. These areas are primarily boardrooms and office spaces. Laboratories are also not receiving cleaning service. While this measure is in effect, we ask you to empty garbage and recycling into the waste and recycling stations located in hallways.

Guidelines for cleaning work areas
The University of Calgary has important tips for staff to help disinfect individual workstations and is also providing work areas with approved disinfectant wipes.

To help prevent the spread of illness, it is recommended that surfaces be cleaned regularly with approved cleaning products provided by the Staff Wellness team.

Register to receive disinfectant wipes to clean your work area
Disinfectant wipes for cleaning your work area are available through Staff Wellness. The total supply of wipes will be tracked and distributed evenly to departments based on the number of personnel.

Departments and lab groups are advised to select a pickup time:

• Main campus: Math Sciences 278 (Staff Wellness Centre)
• Note that most buildings are secured. If you cannot access the Staff Wellness Centre, call 403-614-9830.
• Foothills Campus: HSC G355

Please enter the name of your department when you sign up for an appointment. Windows of time have been spaced evenly for pickups.

To ensure that enough wipes are available for the workplace, please do not take these wipes home with you. They are meant for the workplace only.

Hand hygiene
Hand hygiene is the most important method of preventing transmission of disease. Before using devices at your workstation, clean your hands with soap and water or use an approved hand sanitizer.

What should I clean and disinfect?
Hard surfaces including: desk tops, counters, table tops, chair arms, etc.

Frequent touch points in the office/cubical/common areas including: door knobs, light switches, thermostats, cubical partitions, water cooler, microwave handles, etc.

Information technology equipment including: telephones, computers, keyboards, computer mouse, etc.

Prior to disinfecting personal devices such as cellphones and iPads, please confirm wipes are safe for screens.

How often should I disinfect?
Equipment and surfaces will vary in how often they need to be cleaned. As a general rule, these areas should be cleaned at least daily and between users when a space or equipment is shared. See the table below for recommended cleaning and disinfecting frequency for various equipment/surfaces:

How do I clean and disinfect?
Follow these steps when cleaning and disinfecting a surface:

• Remove or wipe away any visible soiling;
• Using the approved disinfectant wipe, apply to and rub the surface(s) that you wish to disinfect;
• Ensure that the disinfectant wipe is applied to the entire surface;
• Allow the disinfected surface(s) to air-dry for at least 5 minutes following application; and
• Discard used wipe in a waste receptacle.

For further instructions, please refer to the work station cleaning instructions (PDF).

Please contact Staff Wellness @ [email protected] or 403.220.2918 with any questions.