Following guidance from Cal/OSHA and the University of California Office of the President (UCOP), UC Berkeley’s Guidelines on Protecting Workers from COVID-19 training, the COVID-19 Prevention Program, and the COVID-19 Workplace Exposure dashboard will be retired.
Please refer to the University Health Services website(link is external) for the latest COVID-19 information.
UC Berkeley faculty and staff can now stay updated on potential COVID-19 exposures by accessing the UC Berkeley Potential Worksite Exposure Information Website(link is external). This will replace the previous practice of sending a COVID-19 potential workplace exposure CALmessage to all employees within one business day of a potential COVID-19 exposure in campus buildings.
Cal/OSHA recently made its third and final revision to the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (PDF file)(link is external). The Campus COVID-19 Prevention Plan is being updated accordingly. The new ETS will go into effect on May 6 and will remain in effect through December 31, 2022.
The previously announced changes to mask guidelines(link is external) are now in effect.
Effective Monday, March 7, 2022
If unvaccinated people need to work closer than 6-feet apart for lab work, training, maintenance or other activities with others, the following process needs to be applied:
Originally posted in UC Berkeley’s Response & Recovery Newsletter(link is external).
The return to campus section of the coronavirus site(link is external) has been updated with new information regarding face coverings, meetings, physical distancing and more. Here are the highlights:
On March 31, 2021 Alameda County and the City of Berkeley transitioned to the Orange (“Moderate”) Tier in the State Blueprint for a Safer Economy.(link is external) Given low rates of COVID-19 cases among on-campus researchers and rising availability of vaccines in the community, campus leadership has approved additional on-campus research access under a new Phase 4(link is external).
CAL FIRE Information Bulletin (PDF file)
Office of the State Fire Marshal
Issued: December 15, 2020 (PDF file)
UC Berkeley researchers have developed a unique, easy, and effective method for testing the presence of the COVID-19 virus in the wastewater flowing through municipal sewer systems.
The FDA has seen a sharp increase in hand sanitizer products(link is external) that are labeled to contain ethanol (also known as ethyl alcohol) but that have tested positive for methanol contamination. Hand sanitizers that contain methanol - a “toxic alcohol” - can cause blindness and/or death when absorbed through the skin or when swallowed.
EH&S will be performing spot checks of labs on campus to confirm that COVID-19 research ramp-up plans are being followed (checklist below). These will be coordinated with the department safety coordinator or building coordinator. A general lab safety inspector will reach out to LSCs before the inspection. However, random spot checks may occur if scheduling proves difficult.
When: Starting mid-July 2020
Findings: A summary of the spot checks will be sent to the DSC
Hand sanitizers contain high concentrations of alcohol and alcohol vapors can flame or flash if exposed to an ignition source, switches, or any surface containing static electricity.
When a disinfectant or hand sanitizer ignites it produces an almost invisible, blue flame that can quickly produce harmful burns.
To reduce the risk of virus transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic, food facilities must follow guidance from the California Department of Public Health (PDF file)(link is external) and establish a written Workplace - Specific Plan that includes Control Measures and Screening, Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols, and Physical Distancing Guidelines.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information:
For the latest information on the coronavirus outbreak from campus leadership, please visit the Berkeley News - Coronavirus Information website(link is external).