Computer and Printer COVID Guidelines
Computer and Printer COVID Guidelines
Date: 7/30/2020
Introduction
This recommendation will define a plan to implement safety protocols in computing spaces for the Fall 2020 semester.
LITS will be unable to remove all computing resources (computers, laptops, monitors) for all de-densified computing spaces on campus. The cleaning and hygiene of shared computer workstations is the responsibility of the space users: use hand sanitizer on hands before and after use and wipe down keyboards and mice (not monitors) before and after use.
We are asking the owners of the space, offices or department owners, to follow these recommendations to promote cleaning and social distancing in computing workspaces.
Recommendations
- Identify computers that need to be taken off-line to meet social distancing criteria (6 feet or 2 meters in between active workstations). Facilities Management can help to socially distance labs and classrooms; contact Sara Soika (ssoika@hamilton.edu) in the Environmental Health and Safety office.
- Remove chairs from these identified computers. Contact Mark Kinne (mkinne@hamilton.edu) in Facilities to coordinate removal of furniture.
- Remove and store keyboard and mouse from these identified computers. Storage of these peripherals will be done by the owning office/department.
- Post sign in front of the monitor stating “This computer is unavailable for CV19 safety protocols”
Cleaning and sanitizing recommendations
- Treat every workstation as a hot seat. A hot seat is a shared workstation that needs to be wiped down with a disinfecting wipe before use and after use.
- Wipe down keyboards, mice, and workstation area with disinfecting wipe before and after use.
- Do not use the wipes on monitors or other displays.
- Do not make available touchscreen computers for public use. Contact DIS at LITS to store these touchscreen computers in Burke Library.
Printer Recommendations
- Public printers within 6’ of a permanently occupied staff workspace should be moved to accommodate physical distancing from a staff member, if possible.
- All printers should have signage instructing to wipe with a disinfecting wipe before and after usage.
- All printers should have signage that limits access to one person at a time (no line should be formed to access the printer).
Disinfection procedures
- Facilities Management will supply Clorox disinfecting wipes for use on computing workstations and surfaces. Facilities Management will be responsible for disinfecting the room itself, but will be unable to disinfect all keyboards and mice in between classes and throughout the day.
- Hand sanitizer should be available in any computing space. If hand sanitizer is unavailable, the computing space should not be open.
- Owners or managers for each computing space should wipe down all surfaces (keyboard, mouse, desktops) with Clorox wipes provided by FM after every use. For publicly accessible computers in offices, public spaces (e.g. Sadove), or department classrooms, signs should instruct students to wipe down computers before and after use.
- Social distancing should be implemented in all computing spaces.
- A face covering is required when using a computer at all times.
- Hand-washing signage should be displayed to encourage washing of hands before entering the room. Hand sanitizer should be encouraged before and after using the computer.
Oxivir wipes are not recommended for use on computing equipment as the wipes may erase the lettering on keyboards and has the potential to physically damage the electronics.
Teaching in a Computer Lab
Faculty and instructors should review the reduced seating for any course scheduled in a classroom or lab with a reduced number of computers. Adjustments may be needed to accommodate the reduced number of computers. The Research and Instructional Design team within LITS is available for consultation if needed.
