facilities division newsletter - uab...2 facilities division newsletter april | may 2019 dark areas...

Picking up after yourself and keeping your workplace clean won’t just make your day more peaceful, it’s also important to prevent hazards and injuries. We’ve gathered the top 10 workplace housekeeping tips everyone can do that will keep your work area clean and safe:1. DECLUTTER AND DUST: A cluttered workplace can lead to ergonomic

issues and possible injuries because workers have less space to move. Keep all aisles, stairways and corridors, emergency exits, electrical panels, and doors clear of clutter, and purge untidy areas. 2. FIX OFFICE LIGHTING: Ensure that office lighting is adequate and available.

The Facilities Division has created an Employee Recognition Program to recognize hardworking, dedicated employees and needs your nominations. The program aims to recognize employees who consistently exhibit the division’s Core Values and 10 Expectations – thereby reinforcing the significance of these values and expectations. This effort aligns with the UAB Employee of the Month Program.

The Employee Recognition Program is meant to celebrate those that show initiative working in the Facilities Division. There are three ways to be recognized within the program: On-the-Spot Recognition, Employee of the Quarter (EOQ), and Employee of the Year (EOY).

ON-THE-SPOT RECOGNITIONSupervisors and Managers will give lapel pins to

individuals exemplifying the Core Values and 10 Expectations. These individuals will also be recognized at monthly department meetings.EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER (EOQ)

This program will follow the Fiscal Year cycle from October-September. Any Facilities Division employee can nominate another Facilities Division employee for recognition, by online form or paper form. Paper forms can be found in Facilities HR office and submitted through the FACE comment boxes.

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Vol. 5 | Issue 4April | May 2019uab.edu/facilities

10 Expectations1. Honesty & Integrity2. Communication3. Think of the Entire Team4. Look at the Big Picture5. Treat People Fairly6. Anticipate Deadlines7. Develop Relationships8. Be a Role Model9. Accountability10. Follow Up

INSIDEWOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION ...3GROUNDS TRAINING ................4GROUPSPOTLIGHT .............5SERVICE AWARDS .............. 6-7TRAINING CALENDAR ..............8

10 housekeeping tips for a safer workplace

Employee Recognition Program launches

MEMORIAL DAY

UAB will be closed Monday,

May 27th in observance of Memorial Day.

Please see SAFETY, Page 2

Please see RECOGNITION, Page 3

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Facilities Division Newsletter April | May 2019

Dark areas can be a hazard. Request that burned out light bulbs are replaced by submitting a work order online at uab.edu/facilities.

3. AVOID FIRE HAZARDS: Please use the following tips to make sure fire hazards are not an issue.

• Watch for electrical hazards. Hazards in electrical areas should be reported, and work orders should be submitted to fix issues.

• Keep combustible materials in the work area only in amounts needed for the job. When they are not needed, move them to an assigned, safe storage area.

• Store quick-burning, flammable materials in designated locations away from ignition sources.

• Avoid contaminating clothes with flammable liquids. Change clothes if contamination occurs.

• Keep corridors and fire doors free of obstructions. Stairwell doors should be kept closed. Do not store any items in stairwells.

• Keep materials at least 18 inches away from automatic sprinklers, fire extinguishers, and sprinkler controls. The 18-inch distance is required, but 24 to 36 inches is recommended. Clearance of three feet is required between piled material and the ceiling. If stock is piled more than 15 feet high, clearance should be doubled.

4. AVOID SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS: Report or repair tripping hazards such as defective tiles, boards, or carpet immediately by submitting a work order online at uab.edu/facilities. Clean spills and pick up fallen debris immediately. Even a loose pencil could cause a serious falling injury. Ensure that electrical cords and phone cords do not cross walkways or otherwise pose a tripping hazard. If you cannot move a cord, have a new outlet installed or secure the cord to the floor with cord covering strips. 5. KEEP VENTILATION GRATES CLEAR: Never block ventilation grates with any office equipment or objects. Keep grates clean by dusting and changing filters regularly. If dusting needs to be done or if filters need to be replaced, please submit a work order online at uab.edu/facilities.

6. KEEP EQUIPMENT IN CLEAN CONDITION: Keep office equipment, facilities, and machines in good condition. Equipment should be cleaned and maintained on a routine basis to prevent malfunction or obstruction.

7. KEEP STORAGE SPACES AVAILABLE: Store all items in an approved storage space. Take care not to stack boxes too high, and ensure that boxes are clearly labeled with their contents. Storage areas should not have an accumulation of materials that present hazards for tripping, fire, explosion, or pests. Unused materials and equipment should be stored out of the way of work areas. Keep a storage space nearby so workers are encouraged to use it. The storage space, if readily usable, should be easily accessed without stretching too far or lifting heavy loads.8. SECURE FILE CABINETS & DRAWERS: Secure file cabinets that are not weighted at the bottom. Have them either bolted to the floor or to the wall. Be aware that anything on top of a cabinet may fall off if a drawer is opened suddenly. Keep the bottom drawer full. This will help stabilize the entire cabinet. Open only one drawer at a time to keep the cabinet from toppling. Always close drawers when they are not in use. Close drawers slowly using the handle to avoid pinched fingers

9. CLEAN BREAK ROOMS REGULARLY: All workplaces should be kept clean, organized, and in a sanitary condition. Floors should be clean and dry. Drainage should be present where wet processes are used. Make sure to clean out refrigerators, microwaves, coffee machines, and other appliances on a routine basis. Things like oils and grease need to be cleaned following the proper protocol to prevent spreading slipperiness around rather than getting it up and off the floor. Please submit a work order online at uab.edu/facilities to ensure major spills are cleaned appropriately.10. KEEP IT UP: Housekeeping is everyone’s responsibility and should be more than a one-time initiative – it should continue through monitoring and auditing. Keep records, maintain a regular walk through inspection schedule, report hazards, and help others sustain good housekeeping. Work areas should have a mixture of organizing and more frequent, light cleaning. Deep cleaning can be requested by submitting a work order online at uab.edu/facilities.

SAFETYFrom Page 1

Selections for the EOQ will be made by the FACE Committee and Facilities HR department. The deadline to submit nominations is the 15th of the month before each quarterly selection: January, April, July, and October. The announcement will be made in the Facilities Newsletter, on Digital Bulletin Boards across campus, and at monthly department meetings. All EOQ’s since the last All-Hands Meeting will also be recognized at each All-Hands Meeting.

The EOQ awardee will have their picture on a plaque for the entire month with nameplates for 4 quarters (fiscal year), posted in the hallway outside Facilities HR all year with picture rotating each quarter. The EOQ will also receive a small individual plaque plus a reward of event tickets or coupon of choice, subject to availability. The awardee will also be automatically nominated to the UAB Employee of the Month Program.EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR (EOY)

Selections for this award will be made from the previous four quarters’ EOQs by the FACE Committee and Facilities HR department. The announcement will be made in the Facilities Newsletter, on Digital Bulletin Boards across campus, and at monthly department meetings.

The EOY awardee will have their picture on a plaque for entire year with nameplates for 10 years, post in hallway outside Facilities HR all year with picture rotating each year. The EOY will also receive a small individual plaque plus reward of event tickets or coupon of choice, subject to availability, in recognition of exceptional performance.

April | May 2019 Facilities Division Newsletter

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RECOGNITIONFrom Page 1

ValuingInclusivity

Honesty & Integrity

Core Va lues

Communication

Think of the Entire Team

Look at the Big Picture

Treat People Fairly

AnticipateDeadlines

DevelopRelationships

Follow Up

Accountability

StewardingFacilities

Resources

PromotingSustainability

Enhancing Safety

Valuing theEnvironment

EnhancingCustomerService

Ten Expectat ions

Be a Role Model

SBI hosts Women in Construction event

Trailblazing women of distinction were recognized for their work in construction at the Women in Construction breakfast hosted by Small Business Inclusion (SBI) on March 7. The purpose of this event was to promote the utilization of Women-Owned Diverse Business Enterprises (WBE’S) in the construction trades with general contractors, architects, suppliers, engineers, and UAB decision makers. In a room of over 40 minority and local business owners, the event was successful in building collaborative partnerships with businesses, but most importantly, the pioneering women in construction.

The event featured a panel with seasoned professionals who shared insight on sustainable and innovative construction and cutting edge projects involving women. Pamela Benoit, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs and Provost, provided opening remarks and a warm welcome to the women in attendance, followed by the panel of professionals in the field. The panel included Julie Price, Ph.D. UAB Sustainability Manager; Melody Gillezeau, LFA, LEED AP BD&C, ID&C, UAB Sustainability Project Manager; Haley Colson Lewis, Esq., GASP, Staff Attorney; Selena D. Rodgers, President, SARCOR, LLC; Elizabeth Hyde, President, Hyde Engineering; and Ronnie Collis, KPS Group.

Innovative & Sustainable: Cutting edge projects and the women involved


On February 2, the Grounds Department team successfully completed their Landscape Management Certification Exam, held on campus, offered by the Green Industry Web Portal and partnering agencies.

The program consisted of six, three-hour sessions. The topics that were covered in these sessions included: pruning, pest control, plant identification, planting methods, landscape math, plant biology, plant physiology, soil science, and landscape safety.

“It is gratifying to be associated with people who value education and who are always hungry to learn,” said Tim Sullivan, Manager of Campus Services and Grounds.

With the support of Facilities Administration and Facilities Management, the Grounds team has been studying a Grounds Certification Program offered by Auburn University at Montgomery, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Green Industry Association, and the Green Industry Portal.

Five members of the team have degrees in horticultural fields, two members who are Certified Arborists with Integrated Pest Management certifications, one member who’s pursuing a certification in native plant studies, and one member who’s pursuing a master’s in

horticulture.To further their training, the team visited the Birmingham Botanical

Gardens.“I am looking forward to seeing our team really prosper and seeing

the results in the services we offer to UAB,” said Sullivan.Congratulations to the Grounds team members for accomplishing

this achievement.

Grounds completes landscape certification

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For the fifth year, UAB is recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus USA for its work to nurture more than 4,400 healthy trees and engage students and employees in conservation. UAB Sustainability and Grounds celebrated the annual Arbor Day by planting new trees on campus on Friday, March 8.

“It’s exciting to see UAB making such a commitment to prioritizing green spaces on our campus and ensuring we have a healthy, happy tree population in the midst of our urban location,” said Julie Price, UAB Sustainability Manager.

UAB is dedicated to preserving tree growth on campus and has a preservation process to accommodate campus construction. The Facilities Division created a process to evaluate the trees and estimate their worth; if a tree or group of trees must be removed during construction, new trees equal to the value of those removed must be planted at the site or the equivalent dollar amount added to the University Tree Fund.

Can you really put a dollar value on a tree? Yes, Price says. There are costs you would have to bear if trees weren’t here to do the work for you. For example, throughout the course of 50 years, a single tree can generate $31,250 worth of air pollution control, recycle $38,000 worth of water and provide $31,500 worth of soil erosion-control. As UAB celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2019, its trees have provided $125 million worth of air-pollution control, $126 million in soil-erosion control and recycled at least $152 million worth of water.

UAB was first designated a Tree Campus USA in 2015 for its accomplishments in 2014; the certification must be renewed annually.

Campus gets royal “tree-tment” amid Arbor Day


The UAB Environmental Health & Safety’s Campus Safety department makes UAB a safer place to work and attend school by dedicating hard work and efforts to identifying safety hazards and ways to improve. The team’s number one concern is maintaining an overall safe environment and secure well-being for all.

“Our mission is to ensure employees can return home without injury or serious incidents that effect their everyday lives by carrying out their safety programs every day,” said Rob Emmons, Campus Safety Manager.

Campus Safety works in areas such as business services, contractors, chilled water & steam plants, construction, dorms, grounds, and maintenance to ensure safety requirements and regulations are consistently met. The team also targets specific locations on campus, like the Commons on the Green, Hill Student Center, Recreational Center, and UAB Police and Public Safety.

“Campus Safety is a broad area that ranges from making sure employees and students are using 3D printers safely, that fire codes are followed in all buildings, that people are not exposed to toxins or electrical hazards, just to name a few examples,” said Autumn Yatabe, Campus Safety Coordinator.

The idea of creating an atmosphere with a better ‘Culture of Safety’ to protect everyone by updating and aligning their

standards, codes, and guidelines is on the forefront of their minds.“This department has so much accumulated experience to offer.

We are working to establish stronger safety presence on campus,” said Michelle Benedict, Safety Coordinator for Campus Safety.

“We are a strong, collaborative team made up of specialized individuals, working daily to create a safe environment for both students and employees of UAB,” said Darin Coyle, Safety Coordinator.

Group Spotlight

Darin Coyle, Autumn Yatabe, Robert Emmons, Michelle Benedict, Jerry Turner

How to request Campus Safety training

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The Campus Safety department is designed to help prevent loss of life and injury to UAB faculty, staff, students, and visitors and to prevent the loss of UAB facilities and property. Campus Safety reviews new construction and renovation plans and conduct fire and life safety inspections of all campus structures. They also provide several training courses that can be useful in your departments. Here are some of the top training courses they provide.

If you see a safety training opportunity in your area or would like to find out about additional training courses available, please contact UAB Campus Safety Manager, Rob Emmons at [email protected] or 205-934-0063 for assistance.DD101: DEFENSIVE DRIVING

UAB requires all employees, except UAB Police and Public Safety, who operate a UAB vehicle (car or van) as part of their regular duties to complete the UAB Defensive Driving online course before operating any UAB vehicle.GS400: BUILDING LIFE SAFETY

This training is intended for building administrators and/or department heads, or their designees, who have responsibility for maintaining a safe work environment. The course takes about 20 minutes and can be paused and restarted if you get interrupted. It is designed to help you recognize and comply with Life Safety Code requirements in the operation of their buildings/departments.GS600: SCISSOR LIFT SAFETY POLICY TRAINING

This training is for all individuals who operate or go up in scissor lifts as a part of their duties. This course is to provide general basic training, both online and live, so those individuals using scissor lifts will be prepared to work safely in and outdoors in various situations.HS200: HAZARD COMMUNICATION

This course is designed to teach employees how to recognize hazardous materials in the workplace. It also goes over where to get information about these materials, how to read and properly label hazardous materials, and what to do in case of emergencies involving hazardous materials.

2019 Service AwardsThe UAB Service Awards proudly honors those employees who have made a significant career commitment to the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

BUILDING SERVICESLeft to Right: Kecia Roper, Charles Freeman, Debra Williams, LaKeyia Wilson, Corey Walker, Bernice Bimbo,

Virginia Young, Cheryl Merkson, Jacqueline Kirkland, Taneeka Young, Rosemary Jones, Samuel Hawkins, Annetta Moore, Kristina Vanderbilt, LaToya Craig, Janice Thompson, Gladys McCurdy, Wanda Powell, Delowest Clark, James Williams, Ivory Martin. Not Pictured: Bernice Johnson, Stephanie King, Michele Ward, Tyrone Wright, Mark Jones, LaKesha Lee,

Wanda Powell, Wanda Washington


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CAMPUS MAINTENANCELeft to Right: Keith Calvert, Lester Watson, James Frugia, Terry McHan, Scott Laye, Shelton Walker,

Wandetta Williams, Stanley Buchanan, Robert Bowden, John Fluellen, Brian Priest, Richard Price, Lester Hebert Not Pictured: Duran Bridges, Bryan Hare, Jan Janik, Carl Allen, Gregory Leach, Howard Morgan, Bradford Brown

FAEHSLeft to Right: Natalie Merrill, Jolene King, Judy McBride, Robert Heath, David Hagan, Mark Watkins, Freddie Crews, Antonio Wooden, Janette Finkley, LaQuin Taylor, Deborah Dial, Bernie McLean, Dartel Washington

Not Pictured: JR Lalisan

We appreciate your ongoing dedication to the continuing success of the university’s mission and vision!

SUPPORT SERVICESLeft to Right: Erik Beasley, Scott Moran, Will Hawkins, Kendrick Mitchell,

Ray Alshammary, Tristen Dixon, Melvin Willis, Tim Sullivan, Macurtis Harvey Not Pictured: Lance Stockman


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HOSPITAL MAINTENANCELeft to Right: Beth Williams, Marlon Mashburn, Steve Hodges, Jim Norsworthy, Carl Manning, Ed Hasenbien, Steven Doss

Not Pictured: Michael Antonio, LoToya Beard, Nick Hall, Sam Biddie, Mike Dillard

PLANNING DESIGN & CONSTRUCTIONLeft to Right: Greg Parsons, Susan Thompson, Kendal Smith, Ricky Brown,

Mark Price, Chris Faulkner, Billy Higginbotham, Neidra Stewart, Denton Lunceford, Geoff Boyd

UTILITIES MANAGEMENTLeft to Right: Kenneth Lane, Matt Winslett, Paul Howanitz, Claude Smith,

Layne Waters, Roderick Johnson, James Snow, Bryant Bullock, Douglas Gann, Victor Jordan, Keonee Hood.

Not Pictured: Christopher Cook, Tony Millette, David Murphy, Mark Willard

Performance Evaluations coming up soonPERFORMANCE REVIEW TRAINING

Annual training for supervisors is required and will begin this month:

Wednesday, April 17 at 8:30-10 a.m.Wednesday, April 24 at 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Friday, April 26 at 9-10:30 a.m.

All sessions are held in the Facilities Conference Center. Facilities partners

with UAB Organizational Learning and Development for this training.

As we consistently focus on continuous improvement, this year’s performance evaluation sessions will include updated processes and information for performance reviews at UAB and universitywide expectations. This year, employees will be able to assess their own work and access important evaluation information online.

The annual performance evaluation training helps supervisors address performance goals and concerns with employees. If regular feedback is encouraged between supervisors and employees throughout the year and if the expectations and measurements are clear, then the performance evaluations should not be a surprise. The performance evaluation is a confirmation and discussion of what both parties have expected.

Performance management promotes the gathering of customer feedback to provide relevant input, which highlights successes and notes areas for development to set the course for the upcoming year. By setting goals and expectations through evaluation training, it creates learning and growth opportunities for all employees.

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What’s new in construction?College of Arts and Sciences Building (University Hall)• Construction 85% complete• Projected completion May 2019• Projected occupancy late June 2019ROTC Building• Construction complete• Final inspections in progress• Projected occupancy May 2019UAB Track & Field Complex• Construction is 95% complete• Track curb edges installed• Project completion in April 2019

New Residence Hall 2020• Foundation/drilled piers in progress.• Projected completion June 2020Soccer Expansion• Construction is complete• Concessions building completed• Grandstands are complete with press box• Locker rooms completed• Project completion in March 2019Beach Volleyball Courts• Site work 90% complete• Team hosted first matches in February• Project completion in March 2019

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

APRIL 2019Facilities Division Professional Development Center schedule

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8

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9

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18 19 20

5

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137

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Check your email and the Digital Bulletin Boards for the

May Professional Development Center schedule.

23 24 25

Outlook Intermediate8:30-10:30 a.m.

Typing Fundamentals9:30 -11 a.m.

Outlook Basics9:30- 11:30 a.m.

26 27

28 29

OPEN

Outlook Basics8:30-10:30 a.m.

OPEN

30

RESERVED

OPEN HOURS Scheduled time

for computer access

RESERVED

RESERVED

OPEN OPEN

OPEN


1 2 3 4

OPEN OPEN OPEN

OPEN

OPEN

Outlook Intermediate8:30-10:30 a.m.

OPEN HOURS Scheduled time

for computer access

OPEN

Outlook Basics8:30-10:30 a.m.

facilities division newsletter - uab...2 facilities division newsletter april | may 2019 dark areas...

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