Teaching Lab FAQs

Approval Process, Training

• Who needs to complete a Teaching Lab Plan for Safe Return form?

  You will need to complete a Teaching Lab Plan for Safe Return if you will be teaching an in-person class with a lab component.  For example, science labs, computer labs, dance/sports, music instruction – any instructional activity that will be in-person and could present social distancing, PPE and/or disinfection challenges due to shared equipment, close proximity or physical contact should have a Teaching Lab Plan.

  You DO NOT need to complete a Teaching Lab Plan for recitation and lecture classes.  You do not need to complete a Teaching Lab plan if the lab portion of your class is held virtually.

  In the case of a class that is both lecture and lab, complete the Teaching lab plan only for the in-person portion of the class.

• Where is the Teaching lab plan for safe return located? And how do I submit it?

  The document is available on EHS website: https://ehs.msu.edu/_assets/docs/labclass-safe-return-plan.docx

  A Teaching Lab Plan for a Safe Return example can be found at: https://ehs.msu.edu/_assets/docs/example-labclass-safe-return-plan-for-IBIO-408-Bello.docx

  1. Forms should be submitted to the Department Chair, Institute Director or School Director for initial approval. 
  2. The plan will then need to be submitted by the Department Chair to EHS via the COVID-19 Planning Review Spartan 365 Team for final approval. The Teaching Lab Plan file should have the following naming convention: Department_InstructorName_Course Name_Fall2020 Teaching Lab Plan.  Example: Chemistry_John Smith_Organic Chemistry_Fall2020 Teaching Lab Plan

  
  We recommend that teaching assistants and other instructional staff/faculty participate in creating the Teaching Lab Plan so they are aware of and training on what is in the plan and are invested in the outcomes when classes return.

• When will my Teaching Lab Plan for Safe Return be reviewed?

  Teaching Lab Plans will be reviewed in the order received.  We recommend submitting your plan as early as possible, even if the dates/times of the class change.  The framework for social distancing, PPE and disinfection will still be applicable once the semester starts even if the time and day are still undetermined when you submit the form.

• Will EHS pre-review my Teaching Lab Plan for Safe Return Request before I submit it for a formal review?

  No. EHS does not have the staffing to be able to pre-review forms and complete reviews of the officially submitted forms in a timely fashion.

  A sample Teaching Lab Plan is available that may answer questions regarding the form or contents is located here: https://ehs.msu.edu/_assets/docs/example-labclass-safe-return-plan-for-IBIO-408-Bello.docx

  Should you still have questions, please email EHS at ehs@msu.edu.

• Do I have to document training on the Teaching Lab Plan?

  Yes. You must document that every employee in your laboratory, including TAs and LAs received training on your specific safety plan. Any method that is convenient to you and is easily traceable is sufficient for documentation (email, signed paper, etc.)  Students should be provided the information in your safety plan via the syllabus and be free to ask questions as they arise.

• What do I need to do if I teach a course involving person-to-person physical contact (sports, dance, etc.) or performance (musical, vocal, theatre)?

  You should complete and submit the Teaching Laboratory Plan for Safe Return and also send an email to ehs@msu.edu with a short course description so EHS can obtain additional information as needed.

• What if my class has multiple instructors and/or sections? Does each instructor and/or section need to submit a separate plan?

  Classes with multiple instructors only need to submit one Teaching Lab Plan per course for review.  Submit the plan under the instructor’s name who will be responsible for interacting with EHS during the review process.  Only one plan per course is required.  Courses with multiple sections only need to submit one plan per course.

  We recommend that teaching assistants and other instructional staff/faculty participate in creating the Teaching Lab Plan so they are aware of and training on what is in the plan and are invested in the outcomes when classes return.

Cleaning, PPE, Face Coverings

• What disinfectants are acceptable to use in my lab for COVID-19?

  In these unprecedented times the supply of disinfectants may be disrupted. So, make sure that before submitting your Teaching Lab Plan you have secured enough disinfectant to sustain your activities.

  The selected disinfectant must be part of the List N of the EPA for approved disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2 and must be used at the concentration and contact time listed. The complete list N can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

  More information about common disinfectants can be found directly on the Teaching Lab Plan form.

• Should everyone in my class wear gloves all the time now?

  No. The CDC recommends that gloves only be worn for tasks that would ordinarily require them (for example when working with biohazardous materials or chemical hazards).  Frequent handwashing is still recommended for prevention of COVID-19 transmission.

• Must everyone in my class wear a face covering?

  Yes, you and your students are required to wear a face covering in the lab at all times.  Face coverings are a crucial public health measure and help protect others by reducing exposure to droplets if someone is unknowingly infected with COVID-19.

  Face coverings are required for everyone (faculty, staff, students, contractors, suppliers, vendors and visitors) while on campus, either indoors or outdoors. You are required to wear a face covering except when you are in your assigned place of residence or in a private, single-occupancy office or lab space with the door closed where you can reasonably expect other individuals not to enter. Additional information regarding when to wear a face covering can be found at: https://msu.edu/coronavirus/_assets/pdfs/KeepingMSUsafe.pdf

Other Lab Safety Questions

• Are there any changes in my normal biosafety and chemical safety procedures/protocols?

  No. The same biosafety and chemical safety protocols you used before in your class are still in place and should be strictly followed. However, with the pandemic, there are additional safety measures, specific to COVID-19, that need to be implemented. These additional measures are outlined in your Teaching Laboratory Plan for Safe Return and include:

  • Social distancing
  • Use of face coverings
  • Frequent disinfection of high-touched surfaces with products found in the List N of EPA disinfectants for SARS-CoV-2

Additional Contacts, Resources

• I have concerns about the protocols and procedures in place for prevention of COVID-19. Who can I contact?
  • You may bring any concerns, questions, or comments to your supervisor’s attention.
  • You may contact MSU Environmental Health & Safety at 517-355-0153.
  • You may access the MSU Misconduct Hotline https://misconduct.msu.edu/. The University prohibits retaliation against any individual who makes a report in good faith of known or suspected misconduct.
• How is the University handling requests for temporary accommodations and flexible work schedule?

  Employees who are asked to return to in-person work but are unable because they are considered high risk or have household members considered high risk according to the CDC guidance should speak with their supervisor to determine whether remote work or another work arrangement is possible. Detailed information on the process can be found at Temporary Accommodations and Flexible Work Arrangement Request Process.

  For faculty teaching in the Fall, information on temporary accommodations and flexible work schedule can be found at Faculty COVID-19 Related Teaching Adjustment Request Procedure.

  For those people that cannot be accommodated through the process above, the Americans with Disabilities Act requires reasonable accommodations for individuals with physical or mental disabilities. One who believes that they have a qualifying disability should contact the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) at https://www.rcpd.msu.edu, which makes an assessment and, if warranted, refers to the Accommodations Specialist in Human Resources to determine any required accommodation that the University must make.