COVID-19 Prevention: Campus Facilities
UB has put the following protocols in place to protect your safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on UB’s COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, please visit the COVID-19: UB Planning and Response page.
This guidance is reviewed periodically and subject to change. For specific concerns please call (24 hours a day):
UB University Facilities Customer Services
716-645-2025
Learn about UB's latest COVID-19 protocols:
Latest on coronavirus
Proper handwashing is always the preferred method for infection control. When that is not possible, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
The university provides and maintains hand hygiene stations campus-wide, including handwashing areas with soap, running warm water, and disposable paper towels or air dryers, as well as an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing 60% or more alcohol for public areas where handwashing is not feasible.
Handwashing Basics
Handwashing is more effective than hand sanitizer for protecting against COVID-19, according to the CDC. But alcohol-based hand sanitizer will do in a pinch.
Here are some tips for preventing the spread of COVID-19 from touching potentially contaminated surfaces.
1. Wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.
2. Use hand sanitizer when handwashing is not possible.
3. Be mindful of touching commonly touched surfaces or shared items such as:
- Elevator buttons
- Door handles
- Restroom fixtures
- Faucets
- Printers, copiers
- Bus, shuttle fixtures
- Credit card readers
- Wash your hands (or use hand sanitizer) immediately after touching commonly shared items, and before and after getting to your destination.
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly (20 seconds) using soap and warm water.
- Avoid touching your face, especially after removing your face mask or after touching commonly shared items.
Source: University Facilities
5 Steps to Clean Hands
CDC recommends a 5-step process for hand washing:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold); turn off the tap and apply soap.
- Lather your hands with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air-dry them.
Source: University Facilities
Hand Sanitizer
Hand Sanitizer Effectiveness
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reminds us that hand sanitizers should only be used as a substitute method for hand hygiene when soap and water are not available. Hand washing with soap and water is the most effective means of protection against the COVID-19 virus.
Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs, and may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
Hand sanitizer dispensers have been placed campus-wide, near all restrooms and drinking fountains and other high-traffic areas, including:
- in high-traffic customer service locations (e.g., 1Capen, Student Services).
- in unit or department locations recommended by Facility Planning and Management Officers (FPMO).
- throughout campus housing.
- in all campus dining facilities.
- outside all centrally-scheduled classrooms.
Due to a current national shortage of alcohol-based hand sanitizer products, installation of additional wall-mounted hand sanitizers outside of targeted areas may be delayed. University Facilities is working with our vendors and New York State to procure product as quickly as possible.
If there is no dispenser unit located in public areas where hand sinks are not readily available, please contact us to request one:
University Facilities Customer Service (available 24 hours)
custserv@facilities.buffalo.edu
645-2025
Hand Soap
University Facilities has an ample supply of hand soaps and continually restocks supplies in shared campus spaces. Please contact us if you need your soap supply refilled.
University Facilities Customer Service (available 24 hours)
custserv@facilities.buffalo.edu
645-2025
Handwashing in Restrooms
The most important thing to do in restrooms is to wash your hands immediately after use. For the cleanest possible hands, follow these steps:
- Before washing, dispense an appropriate amount of paper towel.
- Activate the water and dispense the soap.
- Wash hands adequately (for at least 20 seconds)
- Use paper towel to dry hands, then use the paper towel to shut off the faucet.
- You may wish to keep the paper towel in hand to open the restroom door.
- Dispose of paper towel in waste receptacle.
Handwashing FAQs
What is the preferred way to protect against COVID on campus, hand washing with soap water or using hand sanitizer?
The CDC states that handwashing is more effective than hand sanitizer for protecting against COVID-19. Hand sanitizer is recommended only if soap and water are not readily available.
What is the most effective way to wash my hands?
CDC recommends a 5-step process for hand washing:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold); turn off the tap and apply soap.
- Lather your hands with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air-dry them.
5 Steps to Clean Hands
CDC recommends a 5-step process for hand washing:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold); turn off the tap and apply soap.
- Lather your hands with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air-dry them.
Source: University Facilities