Research Labs

1. Prioritize on-campus research based on the access priorities below and phase-in the return to labs across campus.
2. Limit laboratory access to essential research personnel.  Visitors are not permitted. Only approved, critical vendors will be allowed on campus and in the labs.  Deliveries should be completed in designated areas. PIs and center directors must keep a daily log (name, contact information) of all persons who have accessed the lab, including vendors.
3. Reduce the density of researchers in the lab.
   • For example, create sub-teams with distinct schedules (e.g., Sub-team A works M-W-F, or mornings) to reduce density in the lab and limit cross-team contact. Some possible options for scheduling sub-teams are available here (WPI login required).
4. Ensure separation of 6 feet or more between researchers at fixed working positions in the lab unless this distance is unsafe due to the nature of the work or the configuration of the space.  Designate workspaces in the lab that are a minimum of 6 feet apart.
   • All research and activities that can be done remotely should continue to be done remotely, such as office work, data analysis, drafting papers and presentations, notebook recordings, and meetings.
5. Work with the research team to determine research priorities and adjust expectations and research plans in light of reduced laboratory time.
6. Consider having teams share responsibilities, so each person can easily cover and share other teammates’ responsibilities as needed.
7. Continue to conduct virtual meetings for any group discussions, even if you are in the  same building.
8. Use visual reminders (such as tape on the floor and signage) of proper social distancing around shared equipment, fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, etc.
9. Develop schedules for access to shared core instrumentation facilities and shared spaces.
10. Remember that shared common spaces, such as kitchenettes, breakrooms, and conference rooms, have been closed or reconfigured to allow for 6 feet of physical distancing.

As we reopen labs on the campus, we must strive to mitigate the spread of any infection by implementing the following best practices:

1. All WPI employees, including researchers, must follow the Return to Campus Guidance at all times, including training, daily monitoring of symptoms, staying home when sick, wearing cloth face coverings, etc.
2. Follow all building and lab-specific signage, including elevator limits, one-way hallways and stair wells, restroom limits, etc.
3. Avoid any direct contact between researchers in the laboratory and others on campus, if possible. Researchers must remain in their assigned lab or floor, when possible, to limit movement throughout the building and to minimize contact with others on campus.  Researchers should also operate as if lab-mates are potentially infectious.
4. Always wear a cloth face covering (or the appropriate PPE required by the research) when in the lab.
   • ​Cloth face coverings are not PPE and may not be used to substitute for masks or respirators when PPE is required by the research.
   • Each lab is encouraged to purchase masks and other PPE sufficient to carry out their research-related activities in the short term.  Please contact your department head or EHS regarding the purchase of PPE, as it is in limited supply.
   • Cloth face coverings are not required when wearing them would introduce a safety hazard or where an individual is unable to wear a cloth face covering due to a medical condition or disability.  In such cases, individuals must practice social distancing to the greatest degree possible.
5. Wash your hands frequently. Researchers are strongly encouraged to perform an extended and thorough soap-and-water hand washing (or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol) upon entry into and prior to exiting from the lab, and on a regular basis during lab occupancy.
6. Clean and disinfect your own labs at least daily and more frequently if feasible. Review EHS guidance on cleaning and disinfecting laboratories here.
   • WPI has provided cleaning supplies for each lab in centralized locations, however labs will be required to provide and source their own cleaning supplies and 70% alcohol solutions for cleaning and disinfecting sensitive equipment, as appropriate. Please contact your department head or EHS regarding the purchase of cleaning supplies, as they are in limited supply.
   • Each lab must maintain a cleaning log that includes the date, time, and scope of cleaning.
   • Facilities will continue to clean and disinfect the common areas of the building at least daily and more frequently as needed, in accordance with the Return to Campus Guidance.
   • If there is a positive COVID-19 case in a lab, WPI will shut down the lab and other areas of campus (as needed) and engage the EHS HAZMAT team to properly deep clean and disinfect areas of suspected infection with COVID-19 in accordance with current CDC guidance.
7. Establish a schedule and clean and disinfect shared surfaces, shared instruments, and high-touch surfaces at least daily and more frequently if feasible. 
   • Implement wipe-downs of all shared surfaces, shared instruments, and high-touch surfaces after each use, and again at the end of a team shift.
   • These include instruments, workstations, benchtops, doors and equipment handles, tables, screens, keyboards, cabinet handles, hoods, etc., to reduce the likelihood of person-surface-person transmission.
   • For shared spaces, identify who is responsible for cleaning the space.
   • For shared equipment, identify how it can be cleaned and who is responsible.
   • Maintain a cleaning log that includes the date, time, and scope of cleaning.
8. Clean safety glasses and non-disposable gloves daily with warm soapy water. 
   • Do not share safety glasses or gloves.
   • Wearing gloves does not reduce the surface-hand-face transmission mechanism. When wearing gloves to protect from hazardous materials (radioactivity, BSL2 materials such as human cells or genetic materials, chemicals), dispose or set aside these gloves before contacting general use surfaces such as doors, freezers, or general laboratory equipment.
9. Do not eat in the lab. No food or drink is permitted in the labs at any time.
10. Improve ventilation for enclosed spaces where possible by using mechanical ventilation and hoods in labs.

1. Once approved, PIs and center directors will distribute their Laboratory Reopening and Social Distancing Plan and proposed work schedule to the research team.
2. Researchers should consider this Research Lab Reopening Guidance, the Return to Campus Guidance, and all other WPI guidance to be an extension of the plans and supervisors should ensure that all lab members understand what is expected.
3. WPI encourages researchers who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 to work remotely or arrange for an alternate work assignment. If you have questions about accommodations, please contact Heather Mulry in Talent & Inclusion.
4. All researchers must complete COVID-19 training for researchers with EHS prior to returning to campus and sign the acknowledgement. This training for researchers covers COVID-19 hygiene and other safety measures specific to working in labs. The training consists of two modules: Module 1 and Module 2 (WPI login and VPN required). The text of the acknowledgment is available here.
5. WPI, PIs, and center directors will post visible signage throughout the building to remind researchers of health information and safety measures and protocols.
6. Lack of compliance with this guidance and the lab-specific plan will result in revocation of laboratory access privileges.

Anticipate the possibility of illness among researchers. PIs and center directors must ensure that all researchers who return to labs on campus are aware of their reporting obligations in the event they test positive for COVID-19 or come into close contact with someone who has tested positive. Please follow the guidelines in the Return to Campus Guidance. PIs and center directors should track the illness and absence rate for their staff and identify any trends for the VPR.

Be prepared to shut down or rapidly ramp down research in on-campus labs on short notice. Given the possibility that research will have to be scaled back again with little notice, we encourage you to ramp up research that can be ramped down quickly and with relatively little cost and complexity.