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Campus remains open; some teaching, research and other work can only be carried out on the premises. In addition, some colleagues do not have a suitable space to work from home and need to use office space on campus.

The purpose of this email is to advise colleagues on how to stay safe on campus.Ìý

Health and Safety reps are concerned that the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø risk assessments are not being followed in many cases, key points are missed or ignored. A summary is in Appendix 1 below.

Working together to stay safe – a series of meetings

1. On Friday 9 October, we have called an online Health and Safety Meeting for all staff. Colleagues can hear from Health and Safety officers and ask any questions they may have.
   
   Staying Safe on Campus – Health and Safety Meeting - Open to all staff
   Friday 9 October, 1-2pm on Zoom ()
   Ìý
2. On Saturday 10 October, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø UCU is supporting an online UK-wide Staff/Student Assembly called by theÌý. We want to defend our students and their right to education. We want them and ourselves to be safe.
   
   Emergency Staff/Student Assembly - open to staff and students
   Saturday 10 October, 11am-1pm on Zoom ()
   Ìý
3. Next Wednesday, 14 October, we have called a Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø UCU Extraordinary General Meeting where we will discuss progress. This meeting is empowered to pass motions and set policy for the branch.
   
   Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø UCU Branch General Meeting - open to all union members
   Wednesday 14 October, 1-2pm on Zoom ()

The case for campus-wide Covid-19 screening

The case for regular testing of all who come to campus is strong. So far Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø has set up a limited testing facilityÌýfor testing symptomatic individuals.

On Friday,Ìý, of which only 78 had symptoms. The remainder had no symptoms, and until tested were unaware that they could infect others. Now three universities (MMU, Manchester, Sheffield) have been forced to announce a move to online teaching only.Ìý

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø is only testing students and staff that are symptomatic, with the possible inclusion of asymptomatic contacts being tested. But if the real number of potentially infectious students is ten times those with symptoms, the case for campus-wide screening of staff and students must be undeniable.Ìý

Due to the rapid spread of Covid-19 seen in halls of residence at other Universities in the UK and world-wide, we believe Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø should now test students in halls of residence as an urgent priority.ÌýWe have been calling for this throughout the Summer but Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø has refused to implement such a testing regime on cost grounds. If well-established pool testing protocols were used Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø could instigate surveillance screening for Covid-19 without expanding its existing testing capacity. Health and Safety reps called on Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø to do this two weeks ago. Ìý

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø UCU Executive Committee

Appendix 1: Following risk assessments

TheÌýÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø institutional Covid-19 risk assessmentÌýclearly states:

1. If you can work from home, work from home. Help minimise the number on campus, as well as reducing the risk of your own infection.Ìý
2. Maintain 2m distance from all others in all rooms. In corridors, try to avoid being closer than this but certainly keep moving and wear masks.
3. Make sure that the room you are in is no more than 25% occupied compared to normal. Avoid temporary visits - use the phone or Microsoft Teams to contact colleagues even if you are both on campus. (We appreciate the desire to be sociable!)
4. Wear masks on campus unless you are alone in an office.

If managers ask you to do something you feel is unsafe, or breaches the institutional or department risk assessment, reserve your right to decline.

If you are asked to return to campus, we advise colleagues to complete anÌýindividual Covid-19 health risk assessment first.