Research Resources
Positive COVID-19 case? Learn what to do
Critical Resources Heading link
Restart Research Procedures Heading link
EHSO has established requirements that must be completed to ensure the health and safety of the research community on campus. All 3 steps below must be completed before resuming research or starting new research projects.
-
1. Register Lab with BioRAFT
All Principal Investigators (PIs) must register with BioRAFT, a research management tool that tracks all labs, lab members, research hazards, and safety training requirements.
- Sign in at https://uic.bioraft.com using your UIC NetID and password
- Follow the instructions at Safe Return to Research with BioRaft to:
- Identify your building, labs and work spaces, and contact information
- Indicate your group’s emergency operational status
- Add all research group members and identify research activities
-
2. Complete the COVID-19 Lab Reopening Checklist
- Sign in at https://uic.bioraft.com using your UIC NetID and password
- Follow the instructions at Safe Return to Research with BioRaft or the steps below:
- Go to Self Inspections in left pane and hit Add a new Self Inspection on right side
- Choose COVID-19 Lab Reopening Checklist from drop-down
- Hit Inspect button at the bottom, COVID-19 Pandemic Findings will populate
- Add details under each check point and hit Save button
- EHSO will review in few days
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can one of my students help me complete the checklist? Yes. Select checkbox next to Group Compliance Liaison / CHO of desired lab member.
-
3. Obtain College and Department Approval
Dean and department head will provide final approval for research operations.
- If your labs checklist has been approved by EHSO, forward it to your department head and await further instructions.
- If you have not received approval from EHSO, please email labsafety@uic.edu.
Screening, Monitoring, and Reporting Heading link
-
Temperature and Wellness Reporting
- Staff returning to the on-campus workplace must conduct symptom monitoring every day before reporting to work. Staff members must be free of ANY symptoms potentially related to COVID-19 or have had evaluation and clearance by University Health Services to be eligible to report to work.
- Temperature monitoring will be required following established protocols. Access the UIC temperature reporting form here. For general information on temperature monitoring, refer to the COVID-19 Public Spaces and Office Safety Guidance document.
Guidance specific to the College of Engineering:
Each day an individual comes to campus, that person must fill out the UIC temperature and symptom reporting form. Based on the answers provided, the system will immediately return a result of “Admit” (in which case the person may come to campus) or “No Admit” (in which case the person may not come in).
When an individual scans a UIC ID card to enter a building, the system will note the entry and determine whether the person had received “Admit” clearance for the day. If an “Admit” clearance is not on file for that specific day, a violation will be entered in the card access system 30 minutes past the time of entry. Individuals who enter without submitting a reporting form will receive an email 30 minutes after entry asking them to submit the form and receive “Admit” clearance in order to remain on campus.
COE procedures for noncompliance are as follows:
- For each notice of violation, the responsible lab safety manager will communicate with lab director (faculty PI), who will need to vouch in writing that the individual in violation is healthy and has subsequently submitted the reporting form.
- Upon any violation, if a lab has had two prior violations during the past 30 days, the lab safety manager must notify the department head.
- If any lab has had five violations during the past 30 days, the department must notify the dean.
-
Personal Safety Practices
Refer to this page for information on personal safety practices such as:
- Face masks
- Social distancing
- Using elevators
- Cleaning/disinfection
- Meetings
-
Reporting Safety Concerns
- If you do not have the need to remain anonymous, please contact EHSO directly at labsafety@uic.edu. It is much easier to resolve safety issues when EHSO has access to your contact information.
- If it is important for you to remain anonymous, please include as much information as possible and report anonymously using the link below.
COVID-19 Safety Resources Heading link
-
links
- Campus public health requirements
- “Circle back to campus” topic index (scroll to bottom of linked page)
-
links
- University public health requirements
- Checklist for the safe reopening of research laboratories
- Guidance for safety in public spaces and offices
- Pandemic recovery annexes for UIC buildings
- Signage and other printable resources
- COE lab door sign (download-and-print PNG file)
- FAQ for facility recovery managers