NIH Record - National Institutes of Health

Have a question about some aspect of working at NIH? Use our feedback form to post an anonymous query, and we'll try to provide an answer.

Feedback: 

MLP-10 is absolutely filthy. I normally take the stairs one or two flights, and have seen the same trash (namely a chicken bone) since the fall (it is now the end of April). There is no reason a parking garage should go so long without being cleaned. There is garbage everywhere (in and around parking spaces, in the stairwells, etc.), dirt and dust covering every surface and year-old dried fluids around all of the trash and recycling receptacles (which are also not changed nearly enough). This garage should be swept regularly, power-washed at least once a year and trash [should be] removed on a regular basis. Although it is sad that some of the staff here feel free to dispose of their trash (and chicken bones) wherever they please, there is still no reason the rest of us should be subjected to such disgusting facilities.

Response from the Office of Research Facilities

ORF recently took additional actions to address the state of parking facilities on the NIH main Bethesda campus. As part of these efforts, a routine, general sweeping of garage stairwells and floors was completed. Additionally, recycling bins have been added to the facility to encourage the proper disposition of trash. In MLP-10, additional signage will direct staff to use the trash bins for trash only and to take recycling to bins on the 3rd floor stairwell entrance/exit landing. The cleaning of interior light fixtures and elevator shafts is still ongoing. As funding permits, additional power-washing of stairwells and floors will be contracted. We encourage all employees and guests to contact the ORF Maintenance Line at (301) 435-8000 to report any building in need of service and the issue will be promptly addressed. We agree the NIH facilities are destinations both visitors and employees should be proud of.

Feedback: 

I have seen painters and drywallers clean their instruments in the men’s restrooms. Isn’t there another place they can do this? They make a mess (paint splatter) not to mention partially clogging the sink (drywall compound).

Response from the Office of Research Facilities

Painters and drywallers should not be cleaning their instruments in the restrooms. In-house maintenance staff are well aware of locations to appropriately clean their instruments. If you see this situation occurring, attempt to determine who they work for and contact the facility manager in your building. A list of NIH facility managers can be found at https://www.orf.od.nih.gov/AboutORF/BFM/Pages/default.aspx.

Feedback: 

Why was the water cooler removed in Bldg. 10 at the intersection of the North and D-wing corridors?

Response from the Office of Research Facilities

The bottled water cooler was moved in response to safety concerns. Staff were slipping on puddled water in a high-traffic location. The water cooler was relocated to the adjacent stairwell vestibule in 1D.

The NIH Record

The NIH Record, founded in 1949, is the biweekly newsletter for employees of the National Institutes of Health.

Published 25 times each year, it comes out on payday Fridays.

Editor: Dana Talesnik
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Associate Editor: Patrick Smith
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Assistant Editor: Eric Bock
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Staff Writer: Amber Snyder
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