Winter weather awareness and safety tips

UT Southwestern places a high priority on ensuring the safety of our employees, students, patients, and guests on campus, and the critical work we do does not pause during inclement weather.

To ensure you are prepared, please be familiar with your department’s emergency plans. Essential personnel will receive instructions if accommodations are necessary.

Please consider the following preparedness and safety tips during winter weather:

Driving

imprint in snow of tire treads
  • Plan your route in advance and allow for plenty of time for your commute. Have a primary and alternative route in the event of an accident or road closure. The Texas Department of Transportation has a map that shows active accidents, closures, construction, damage, and more.
  • Avoid distractions while driving. Rainy, snowy, or icy conditions demand special attention. Prepare and pack a winter storm kit consisting of extra clothing, water, and food, along with a flashlight, cellphone charger, winter hat, gloves, and blankets.
  • Avoid braking too hard or too quickly, and increase the following distance between your car and the one in front of you, allowing you more distance for increased reaction time.
  • Stay visible by ensuring your headlights are on. If conditions include fog, keep your high beams turned off, unless there is an emergency.
  • Ensure your vehicle is ready for winter weather by:
    • Confirming your tires have good tread and are well inflated;
    • Checking your car battery to ensure it is working and charging properly;
    • Making sure your fuel tank is always at least half full (or your fuel cell is fully charged) in case of traffic delays along your travel route;
    • Placing an ice scraper in your vehicle;
    • Using a wintertime mixture in your windshield wiper fluid tank; and
    • Checking your antifreeze level.

Travel on campus

  • Use roadways and walkways that have been cleared and treated.
  • Report icy or slippery conditions using either of the following two methods:
    • Call Service Request Operations at 214-648-3375.
    • Submit a Facilities Asset Management Information System (FAMIS) Service request through the Facilities Service Portal (on-campus or VPN connection required). For instructions, please view this PDF.
  • Be attentive to warning signs about closed sections of campus.
  • Remember that the Campus Connector and the top level of all parking garages are closed during winter weather with snow or ice.
  • The second leading cause of slips and falls are shoes. Wear solid-sole shoes with a good grip; avoid heels or shoes with smooth soles while walking outdoors. Take your time walking, use short steps, and place your whole foot down at once or shuffle your feet.
  • Avoid puddles and grassy areas and track maintained sidewalks by using the MyEOP app. (On-campus network or VPN connection required.)
  • If you need help while traveling on campus, remember that you can request assistance through the Safety Connection app. (On-campus network or VPN connection required.) You may also contact University Police directly at:
    • Emergency: 214-648-8911
    • Non-Emergency: 214-648-8311
  • Bring additional clothing and any necessary medications, in the event you need to remain on campus for up to 96 hours due to potential winter weather.

Winter weather safety activities across campus

Facilities Management, the Office of Safety and Business Continuity, Parking Services, and the University Police are committed to making UTSW as safe as possible. Here are some things done to increase safety across our institution during freezing precipitation:

  • Road brine (a liquid mixture of water and salt) or salt is applied to primary roadways and walkways to help prevent ice accumulation.
  • Snow/ice treatment crews are staged on campus to start mitigation activities in the event of ice or snow accumulation.
  • University vehicles are prepared and ready to clear roadways.
  • Information signs are placed around our facilities to make pedestrians aware of areas that are closed, such as the Campus Connector bridge and the top level of parking garages, as necessary.

Other safety reminders

Prior to using a portable space heater, please ask Facilities Management to adjust the temperature in your area. If you feel you still need a space heater, refer to Appendix D in the Fire and Life Safety Manual to ensure you abide by policy.

The Emergency Management and Safety and Business Continuity teams are available should you have questions or additional requests. You can reach Emergency Management by phone (214-648-2250) or emergency.management@utsouthwestern.edu.

Backup care

  • UT Southwestern offers backup, low-cost child, adult, and senior care to all full-time (40 hours a week) and part-time (30-39 hours a week) benefits-eligible employees through Bright Horizons. Please note that because Bright Horizons requires pre-registration, you’re encouraged to sign up as soon as possible in order to take advantage of the service when you need it. Availability may be limited due to inclement weather.
  • Log in to the Bright Horizons website, click “Sign Up,” then use employer username “UTSWcare” and password “UTSW123#” (you will have the option to change your username and password after your initial login). You can also register by phone at 1-877-BH-CARES (1-877-242-2737). Bright Horizons consultants are available 24/7.