Hygiene Conceptual Framework

Sections 5 and 6 ArbSchG and/or DGUV Regulation 1 in conjunction with the SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, as at 01.10.2022, give rise to the general basic obligations of the employer for assessing working conditions, defining and implementing the necessary measures for occupational infection protection and preparing an operational hygiene concept.

With this Hygiene Conceptual Framework, the CAU fulfils its obligation to create a hygiene concept. The General Risk Assessment for SARS-CoV-2, as at 17.11.2022, serves as the basis.

All laws, ordinances, decrees, guidelines and other regulations relevant to university operations in connection with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, in the respectively valid versions, are available on the CAU corona website.

3.1 People who have caught COVID-19

• We appeal to the sense of responsibility of each individual, not to attend work, teaching events or examinations if they have any symptoms of illness. In the event of a positive lateral flow test result or a positive PCR test, the appropriate reporting trail must be followed up until 23.12.2022.
• The usual rules for sick leave apply for employees who catch COVID.
• The rules for compensation for disadvantages apply for students.
• Staff, students or any other people working or attending the CAU who have COVID symptoms should not enter university premises.
• Staff with COVID who don’t have any symptoms should work from home, wherever possible.
• All infected individuals without symptoms are obliged to wear an FFP2 mask indoors in the event of mandatory activities at the CAU.
• We request that people who are unable to wear a mask do not enter university buildings.
• We recommend maintaining social distancing of 1.5 m to other people and wearing a mask outside of closed rooms.
• We recommend carrying out a lateral flow test before returning to the university.

3.2 Occupational healthcare and persons who require special protection

Employees can arrange a personal consultation with the university's Occupational Health and Safety Service, also regarding high risks due to a pre-existing condition or an individual predisposition, or any other questions about the COVID-19 vaccination. The Occupational Health and Safety Service provides advice to employees and supervisors on appropriate protective measures for individual workplaces. Information and procedures for persons who require special protection due to pre-existing conditions are available on the CAU corona website.

3.3 Staff and students who belong to a high-risk group (incl. pregnant women)

• Staff and students who belong to a high-risk group will be given FFP2 masks for their own protection according to the individual risk assessment.
• Masks for affected staff will be issued via the existing order form which the supervisor submits to the storage facility.
• Affected students will receive 10 FFP2 masks per semester. The CAU’s corona website provides information about the locations where masks are handed out.

3.4 Homeoffice / working from home

The basis for working from home is the "Homeoffice" work agreement for technical/administrative staff concluded on 17.03.2022 and the conclusion of an agreement between the employee and their supervisor. For employees in the scientific field, the agreements continue to be informal.

Working from home should be used as a form of mobile work

• By those who require special protection (persons who belong to a high-risk group), if no individual or organisational arrangements can be made on-site for the work station, even after consultation with the university's in-house doctor
• By employees who are affected by the closure of kindergartens or schools in the event of mild cold symptoms
• By employees with COVID-19 who have no symptoms.

The prerequisite in all cases is that the respective activities of the employee allow mobile work. Availability must be ensured and the regulations on working hours must be observed.

3.5 Hygiene rules

The requirements for general hand hygiene and coughing and sneezing etiquette must be followed. Signs must be displayed at building entrances and inside the buildings which inform about general protective measures.

3.6 Social distancing

On the entire CAU campus, both indoors and outdoors, we recommend maintaining a minimum social distance of 1.5 metres to other people wherever possible.

3.7 Face masks (surgical or FFP2 masks)

In all CAU buildings, including the libraries, greenhouses at the Botanical Garden, museums and sports venues, we recommend wearing a face mask (surgical mask or FFP2 mask) if the minimum social distance of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained.

3.8 Ventilation

All interior spaces must be adequately ventilated with fresh air.

The ventilation systems in rooms with mechanical ventilation (technical ventilation) will be operated with recirculated air in the winter semester 2022/2023. A sign must be attached to the entrance doors of rooms with technical ventilation systems indicating that air is recirculated in this room and recommending that occupants wear a mask. In the event of fault or defect in the technical ventilation, the area must be vacated.

There are handouts for regular ventilation in all other seminar rooms and meeting rooms. Here, it is important to open the doors and windows completely at least every 20 minutes for 3-5 minutes, so that the room is filled with fresh air. (This is based on the "Infektionsschutzgerechtes Lüften" (correct ventilation to protect against infections) recommendation of the Federal Government issued on 16.9.2020).

Rooms without technical or natural ventilation may not be used.

The use of mobile air filter units is not a substitute for a fresh-air ventilation system.

When using secondary ventilation equipment such as mobile air conditioners or split unit air conditioners, sufficient air exchange with external air must be ensured. Please contact the Central Unit: Safety Engineering for advice on using climate-controlled rooms in which the windows may not be opened.

3.9 Lateral flow tests

Lateral flow tests will only be provided when they are actually required, e.g. in the event of cases of infection in work areas. In the case of a positive test result, please observe the reporting trail (up until 23.12.2022).

3.10 Non-university personnel

Non-university personnel (e.g. workmen and other service providers) must be informed of the measures currently implemented with regard to protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection, and must follow the general principles.

4.1 Business trips/excursions

There are no restrictions on business trips or excursions. The general hygiene regulations as well as the hygiene rules at the destination must be observed.

4.2 Trips with university vehicles (CAU fleet)

When using vehicles, they can be fully occupied. We recommend that all vehicle occupants wear a face mask. This does not apply to the driver. People who have caught COVID-19 must not take part in business trips which are carried out using CAU company vehicles.

4.3 Research and administrative operations

Supervisors must organise the work area that they are responsible for in such a way that the risk of infection is minimised. The employees must be instructed accordingly by their supervisors on the basis of the current operating instructions, and where applicable, the instruction slides. Information on vaccinations must be part of the instructions. Material for instructions is available on the pages of the Central Unit: Safety Engineering. The corona website is the definitive resource for the currently applicable preventive and protective measures at the CAU. All members of the CAU should regularly inform themselves there about the applicable regulations.