How to Keep Your Campus Safe and Running Smoothly
Matthew Randall, UG2’s Director of Facilities, recently published a timely article on facilitiesnet discussing back-to-school season—and the key components to earning stellar grades in facility management on campus.
In “Get Ready For Back-To-School With A Facilities Management Score Card,” Matthew offers a checklist of items to keep in mind that is tailored to the unique circumstances facility managers face in the current climate. Students, faculty, and staff are navigating a complete return to campus while COVID-19 continues to hover and, potentially, cause disruption. Still, facility managers can leverage the expertise gleaned over the past two-and-a-half years to earn top grades across the board—and finish the semester with high marks.
Safety is at the core of Matthew’s guidance, which touches on a number of considerations and strategies:
Health and the Community Nature of Campus Life
Creating and maintaining connections has never been more important to students, faculty and staff. Encouraging community while keeping people safe involves particular attention to disinfection protocols. Matthew highlights best practices to consider.
- Give common spaces a break. When possible, close off common spaces for 24 hours to allow HVAC systems a chance to mitigate airborne particles.
- Stagger the schedules of mission-critical employees. Assigning alternating shifts for key staff will decrease the possibility that essential players will be waylaid by an outbreak at the same time.
- Track visitor activity with sign-in stations. This practice allows you to follow up with someone who tests positive by targeting appropriate disinfection protocols.
- Continue to prioritize disinfection. Make sure teams are systematic about cleaning and consider leveraging digital tracking technology such as Near Field Communication (NFC) tagging.
- Stay well-stocked. Keep supply chain challenges top-of-mind and at a minimum, store a month’s supply of key custodial supplies.
- Broadcast your care and attention. There is a public relations aspect to facility services. Use signage, targeted communications, and even “Disinfection Team” t-shirts for custodial staff to let visitors know their safety is your priority.
Optimization of Operations and Maintenance
Your O&M team relies on you for help with the challenge of keeping equipment up and running while keeping costs in check. Matthew shares the strategies that have worked for him.
- Prioritize preventative maintenance. Don’t let your plan fall through the cracks.
- Tweak equipment for efficiency. Make sure equipment is operating within its design specifications and monitor for emerging issues.
- Track equipment lifecycle. Base replacement decisions on historical data rather than waiting for something to go awry.
- Optimize energy consumption. Leverage your Building Management System, follow schedules and use motion sensors.
Worker Safety as Top Priority
Packed, busy campuses can make for added safety hazards. Matthew shared some of the safety strategies he has refined over his career.
- Guard against distraction-related injury. Remind workers to pause the task they are engaged in if someone interrupts.
- Avoid injury from repetitive motion. Organize equipment, systems, and schedules to minimize risk.
- Conduct Job Safety Analysis. Make sure your existing JSAs are aligned with your current environment.
- Be strategic about signage. Use signs to mitigate risk in appropriate locations without overwhelming the space.
Like all members of our leadership team, Matthew is happy to share the wisdom he’s gained with experience. Are you looking for more guidance on earning top grades in facility management this semester? Read the full article at facilitiesnet, or contact Team UG2