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Year 2000 Preparedness Checklist
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Year 2000 Preparedness Checklist
Departments and schools are encouraged to use the appropriate items on the following checklist to assist in preparing for Y2K before leaving the University of Washington on Thursday, Dec. 30.
General
Develop a communications plan that includes who should be notified in case of equipment failure (includes critical research equipment) and assignment of responsibilities.
Stock up on essential supplies.
Lock doors and windows.
Make sure emergency contact information is current and posted.
Computers
Back up computer files.
Print out key reports that support contingency plan.
Configure your system for maxiumum security: apply latest virus protection software/updates; apply operating system security patches; turn off unneeded/unused network services in you operating system.
Shut down power to desktop workstations (PCs, MACs, unix computers, etc) unless otherwise directed by your computer support staff.
Expect that administrators might shut down (or do whatever is necessary to) servers that will be unattended over the holidays.
Use an uninterruptable power supply for those critical systems that cannot be shut down.
Devise steps to continue to interface with databases you provide information to or received information from.
Research lab operations/equipment
Consider shutting down lab operations from the evening of Thursday, Dec. 30 to Sunday, Jan. 2.
Consider not scheduling experiments for Monday, Jan. 3.
Split rare or sensitive specimens and store separately.
Post emergency contact information on or near the lab door.
Devise safe alternatives for maintaining cell lines during a power outage.
Print a hard copy of your chemical inventory.
Sterilize and dispose all biohazard waste.
Know where your spill kit (chemical and biological) is and how to use it.
Return animals to care facilities.
Tape shut freezers and refrigerators.
Turn off all applicable water-using devices at the water source (e.g. water driven lathes, water baths, stills.
Shut off electronic counting devices.
Check that natural gas outlets are off.
Place flammable materials in nonflammable storage cabinets.
Cap or seal hazardous materials located in the fume hood and close all fume hood sashes.
For more information about Y2K preparedness for laboratory operations, see Environmental Health and Safety’s Lab Safety Update newsletter November 1999 issue on their Web site at http://www.ehs.washington.edu/Updates/lsuNov99.htm ¶
University Week
The faculty and staff publication of the University of Washington
uweek@u.washington.edu
December 9, 1999