WELCOME

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Department of Plant Science.

For more information about the Plant Science Department and to put a face to the people in the Department, check out our Website:

http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/afs/plant_science/

This Orientation Handbook is full of general guidelines and background information. It is meant to orient you to Departmental Procedures and to provide you with an up front guide as to where to direct any questions or concerns. Please feel free to contact support staff or faculty members.

Read the entire document in detail ASAP.

We hope you find your stay in the Plant Science Department a fun and rewarding learning experience!

GENERAL

Keys and Building Security

Bev Godard, Plant Science General Office (Room 227), is responsible for key distribution. A deposit of $35 is required, $25.00 for an office key, and $10.00 for a desk key. The deposit is refunded upon return of all keys. Guard your keys with care! They are for your use only and are not to be used by unauthorized persons. All outside doors should remain locked during evenings, weekends and holidays. Your office should remain locked at all times.

Office Supplies

Basic office supplies are available from the Plant Science General Office. Supplies required for research purposes are to be purchased using your supervisor's research funds. However, students are expected to pay for their own resource materials required for the classes they are taking.

Telephones

Dial 4 to get an outside telephone line. Only the last four digits are required for university calls beginning with 474. The Campus Security emergency number is 555.

Long distance calls can be made directly through academic office telephones and those in the Plant Science General Office. If you need to make a long distance call from another phone in the building, the Receptionist in the Plant Science General Office (Room 222), can place the call and transfer it to you.

Photocopying

Bev Godard, Plant Science General Office (Room 227) will assign you a code to access the photocopier. This is not to be shared, and is only for copying essential to your research. Personal photocopies can be purchased through the Plant Science General Office.

Parking

Parking for staff and students is available at various sites around the University of Manitoba Fort Garry Campus. Application can be made through the Parking Office, 125 University Centre. Please note that there is no free parking anywhere on campus, including at "the Point". A valid parking pass must be displayed and you must park in designated parking stalls. No parking pass is required at the Carman facility.

Vehicle Use

Departmental or appropriate research program approval must be arranged prior to use. A valid Canadian driver's license is required before driving any Plant Science vehicle. A general walk around of the vehicle should be performed before each use. This should include inspection of tires, lights, fluid leaks and over all vehicle appearance. As well, with each fueling, all fluid levels should be checked for safe operating levels. Each vehicle has a blue log book in it where mileage in and mileage out as well as reason for trip, date and driver name should be recorded. Any tickets received (parking tickets, speeding tickets etc.) are the sole responsibility of the driver.

User Responsibilities of Field Equipment

Prior to usage, departmental or appropriate research program approval must be arranged. A general walk around of equipment should be undertaken prior to each operation. This inspection should include checking: all necessary fluids for safe levels of operation, belts or other moving parts for excessive wear or damage, tire inflation. Pre operational maintenance should include: lubrication of all wear points as required, cleaning radiator screen /radiator and air filter if required. Any malfunction or damage noticed in the inspection or incurred during equipment operation, should be reported as soon as possible.

Working Alone

Refer to: http://www.umanitoba.ca/admin/governance/governing_documents/staff/839.htm

or Working Alone Policy

Handling & Storage of Samples

All samples to be handled or stored at "The Point" must have proper identification labels attached. Label information must include: Research program and individual contact names, materials enclosed with date of entry. All samples to be stored must be placed in mouse proof containers.

Vernalization Room, Freezers

The use of cold rooms/freezers (rooms 008A-008E inclusive, plus rooms 192 and 193) requires that anything placed in these rooms be identified with the user's name and the anticipated finish date.

Safety Checklist

Technicians are to refer to the following safety checklist during orientation of new students to
ensure all areas of safety have been discussed.

- Emergency eye wash stations
- WHMIS/MSDS
- First aid kits and where to replenish them
- Emergency phones
- Fire extinguishers
- Emergency exits
- Appropriate working attire, sunscreen, hat, etc.
- Location of this orientation handbook

Administrative Paperwork

Purchases - There are various ways to purchase needed supplies and materials through the University of Manitoba. There are purchase orders, visa orders, standing orders and systems contracts as well as petty cash. A memo outlining procedures and vendors is available from Mandy Tanner in the Plant Science General Office. Essentially, if any money is spent, there must be a paper trail processed through our general office. Please ensure that all purchases are approved by your supervisor prior to the purchase and that a proper budget number is obtained. If you are unsure at all regarding any of the procedures, please ask Mandy, Amanda or Debbie.

Travel Policies & Procedures - General travel policies and procedures are explained on the University of Manitoba website at: http://www.umanitoba.ca/admin/financial_services/travel/index.shtml
and it is to your advantage to familiarize yourself with them. Travel expenses are reimbursed to you by direct deposit, allow approximately two weeks for processing once all the forms have been submitted to administration. Forms related to travel (except conference registrations) are available from Raquel. For department policies please follow these procedures:

To register for a conference or workshop - fill out the registration form and submit it to Amanda along with a copy of the conference particulars. If the registration cannot be paid by Visa make sure to allow 2 weeks for processing of a cheque by purchasing services.

To purchase a plane ticket -

(a) See Mandy for a numbered Travel Authorization form, obtain a budget number from your supervisor and his/her signature before proceeding
(b) Contact one of the University travel agencies listed below
McDonald Worldwide Travel (Tel: 885-4657)
American Express Travel (Tel: 956-0395)
Travel Cuts (Tel: 269-9530) - Student's only.
(c) Make your travel arrangements, complete the form and return it to Raquel for processing. Make sure you retain all flight documentation (ticket, itinerary, e-ticket, and boarding passes) as these must be turned in after your trip when you submit your travel claim information.

To claim reimbursement for travel expenses - check with your supervisor on whether you will be required to keep your meal receipts or claim a daily per diem ($40 Cdn domestic or $60 Cdn international). Keep all expense receipts related to your trip (meals, taxi's, and accommodation). On your return complete a Travel Claim form as soon as possible, attach all your receipts and have your supervisor sign their approval then submit it to Mandy. Supply as much information about your trip as possible, including whether you shared lodging, paid for someone=s else expenses, etc. If you did not travel by plane, supply information on the transportation you used, if by private car we require the information on the back of the form to be filled in with regard to your vehicle and mileage, if you do not have accommodation expenses include an explanation.

Payroll - Appointment forms should be processed two weeks prior to your start date. This includes a personal information form as well as a Direct Deposit Authorization which requests your banking information. We know that this time line is not always possible though, but keep in mind that your first payment may be delayed if this information is not received in time. Please see Debbie Bialek in the Plant Science general office (Rm. 223) to both receive the forms and to provide the required information to initiate the appointment.

Timesheets - Students and support staff hourly employees timesheets must be completed, approved by your supervisor and submitted weekly to either Mandy or Debbie before 10:30am on Fridays (Thursdays preceding a long weekend.)

Bi-weekly staff must report any extra hours worked or time off (i.e. vacation, overtime, doctor appointment, sick time etc) by completing a timesheet to be submitted to either Mandy or Debbie before 10:30am on Fridays (Thursdays preceding a long weekend.)

Change of address or marital status - If you change your address or marital status, an Employee Record Change Form must be filled out and returned to Debbie Bialek as soon as possible. Students are also required to complete and submit a Change of Address Form through the Student Records Office.

Overtime (for those paid on an hourly basis) - Overtime must be requested/approved by your academic supervisor prior to working the overtime. Non-union staff (student assistants) receive a rate of 1.5 times your regular salary or time off in lieu of pay. This should be agreed upon with your academic supervisor prior to any overtime being worked. Please ensure that a complete detailed log of overtime accumulated is submitted weekly.

Overtime (for those paid on a bi-weekly basis) - Overtime must be requested/approved by your academic supervisor prior to working the overtime. Unionized staff (AESES support staff) receive a rate of 2 times your regular salary or time off in lieu of pay. This should be agreed upon with your academic supervisor prior to any overtime being worked. Should payment be required, please see Debbie Bialek to submit a request for payment of overtime. Please note that this should be completed within the pay period where the overtime was worked (or as soon as possible).

Time off - Whenever time from work is missed (sickness, doctor appointments, vacation time, funerals etc.) your academic supervisor as well as Debbie Bialek in the Plant Science General Office must be notified as soon as possible. Notification should be prior to time taken off or, for sick time, given as early in the day as possible.

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GRADUATE STUDENTS

Office Space

Graduate students whose research is conducted in the Department of Plant Science or at one of its research facilities will be assigned an office in the department. Normally, students conducting their research at an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada facility will have an office there.

Mail

All students (except those who are unable to regularly visit the department) will have a mailbox in the Graduate Lounge (Room 153). Much of the correspondence is sent electronically, so please check your e-mail regularly. If you haven't received anything from the department recently, confirm that your e-mail is working. Check with Bev Godard (Bev Godard),
Plant Science General Office (Room 227) to ensure that you haven't missed messages.

Laboratories

Use of labs and lab materials must be authorized by those in charge of the lab.

Roles and Responsibilities

Please read the current edition of "Graduate Studies Roles and Responsibilities - A Guide for Faculty and Students" and the "Faculty of Graduate Studies Academic Guide". Both are available on-line at http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/graduate_studies

Courses and Registration

Pick up a copy of the current University of Manitoba Graduate Calendar from the Registrar's Office (400 University Centre) to learn about courses and registration procedures. These can be accessed at http://www.umanitoba.ca/calendar and through the Aurora Student registration system.

Thesis Guidelines

" A Guide to Thesis Preparation for Graduate Students in the Department of Plant Science" is available http://www.umanitoba.ca/afs/plant_science/. These are supplementary to the Faculty of Graduate Studies Thesis Guidelines which are available at http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/graduate_studies

Candidacy Examination Guidelines

"Supplementary Regulations and Guidelines for Candidacy Examinations" are available at http://www.umanitoba.ca/afs/plant_science/. These regulations and guidelines supplement or reinforce those found in the University of Manitoba Graduate Calendar (http://www.umanitoba.ca/calendar) and in the Faculty of Graduate Studies Academic Guide (http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/graduate_studies/publications/index.html).

Inappropriate Use of Degree Designation

A degree designation for an M.Sc. or Ph.D. student is not allowed until the degree is conferred upon them. Any misrepresentation of a degree designation by a student will be viewed as a type of fraud. If a student wishes to indicate their status, they may consider using the designation "Ph.D. Student" or "M.Sc. Student".

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COMPUTER SERVICES

The University of Manitoba computer network consists of a number of systems.

To use these systems an official staff or student must create or "claim" one or more user ids and passwords to get access.

To claim a user id:

- Browse to http://www.umanitoba.ca/claimid/
- Claim your id: (Don't forget to write down your assigned password until you can change it.)
Students can choose from UMnetID (jump/angel/ccu), or ins, cns (Corporate Novell Server) can only be attained by sponsorship. Aurora INB (student and finance) requires departmental authorization for staff.
Staff can choose from ccu, cns and ins.
- ccu (computer centre unix) consists of email, personal homepage hosting, wireless network access, unix programs, disk space and printing.
- ins (Instructional Netware System) is used only for access to student pc's in open area computer labs.
- cns (Corporate Novell Server) or LAN (local area network) primarily staff novell file sharing and printing as well as some windows based programs. CNS users enjoy a personal home drive (H:) and some shared volume access (S:). Plant Science graduate students should claim their ccu account first then apply for a sponsored cns account.

CC (Computer Centre) mail

The CC mail server offers support for IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) mail as well as POP (Post Office Protocol) mail. The IMAP protocol allows for folder storage right on the server. So you can sort and store your info on the server and see it from anywhere. Simply create your mailbox in your favorite mail client (Thunderbird, Outlook, Netscape) as IMAP. You can access a webmail version of cc by browsing to http://webmail.cc.umanitoba.ca
Webmail allows you to access your mail from any browser.

Antivirus

All university mail servers are protected with an antivirus scanner which removes virus attachments then notifies the recipient of the action. Work and home machines should be protected by a local antivirus program. A site license for a Trend antivirus product is available for installation.

Spam

Both university mail servers run an anti-spam system which removes unwanted mail by looking for mass-mailings. You can subscribe to a bulk mailing list at http://lists.cc.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/bulkmail-summary
This will supply you with a weekly report of mail that has been removed from your box. Logging in at http://mail.cc.umanitoba.ca/bulk-mail/ will allow you to view spam mail and mark message sources that should have been allowed through.

Plant Science computer room

The lock combination to access the computers in room 306 is available from the Plant Science General Office Receptionist (Room 222). All computers require student user id login with the password listed on the monitor. The first login at boot is your CNS or Novell user id, the second is the student login. Available hardware includes a flatbed scanner, a single-feed slide scanner and an automatic feed slide scanner. Software includes Microsoft office and Photoshop. Assess for image analysis is also available.

Please do not remove or install any software without consulting the Plant Science computer committee. Written requests can be left with Bev Godard, Plant Science General Office (Room 227). Your work files can be kept in a folder created under the user folder. In many cases the user directory is on the D: or E: drive. Do not save files to the root of C: and refrain from leaving files on the desktop. You may leave files on the computer"s hard drive if space allows but do not expect this to be a permanent storage solution. You are responsible for maintaining a copy of your own files. Storage on your Home (H:) volume is an excellent way to backup but usually only to a limit of 15Mb. The shared public volume (S:) can be used for some storage or file management but your files can be viewed and removed by anyone. Backup your data with a USB drive or burn optical media.

Email Alias

Add yourself to the White pages directory (directory@umanitoba.ca) and get an alias like firstname_lastname@umanitoba.ca by mailing the directory with the word "add" in the text. Fill in the form to mail back to create your own alias. You can create the alias from your cc account.

CNS (Novell)

Home and Shared volumes (H: and S: drive)
When at home or away from your lan connection you can still move files on and off the H: and S: drive by connecting to netware.umanitoba.ca using an ftp client such as Filezilla or WSFtP. Your user id should include the entire context. ie ".userid.agriculture.corporate.local.umb" (a period must precede your user id and you must at least include the alias of your full context).

Passwords

When creating passwords use letters and numbers, no English words and no birthdates. Ccu is a unix based system so will demand "strong" password creation. Cns is not as particular but will demand that you change your password every 6 months or so. Students and staff are advised to create and maintain system passwords for every user account on their personal computer.

Personal computers

Machines brought from home can be connected to the network and the LAN. Users are expected to supply their own ethernet card. Contact Dave Treble Ph. 9670 or Lorne Adam Ph. 6409 to receive an ip address and have the novell software installed.

Software:
Once connected you can install or update software from U of M's Software Express http://webapps.cc.umanitoba.ca/software/. This includes readers, browsers, and antivirus software. Those connected to the LAN can install site licenses of SAS, SPSS or Microsoft Office.

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LABORATORY SAFETY

Laboratory Safety Checklist

General

Please take the time to learn the location of fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, showers, emergency exits, and telephones (emergency #555) in your area.
Wear personal protective equipment as outlined in the MSDS sheets. Example: wear safety goggles, lab coats, gloves ( nitrile gloves offer more protection than latex gloves).
Work in fume hoods when using organic chemicals or concentrated acids or bases.
Whenever a chemical comes in contact with skin, wash promptly with water. Seek medical attention if required.
Do not wear contact lenses when working with chemicals as fumes can be trapped between the lens and eye.
Do not eat or drink in areas where chemicals are used or stored.
Pipette tips and broken glass must be placed in a hard sided container (e.g.: cardboard box) for disposal.
Each Research unit has been supplied with a Chemical Spill Kit. Specific information on how to handle a chemical spill can be found at http://www.umanitoba.ca/admin/human_resources/ehso/media/HazChemicalSpills.pdf

Further information is available from the http://www.umanitoba.ca/campus/health_and_safety/

WHMIS and MSDS

All research units are required to operate under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). WHMIS is designed to make the workplace safer by providing you with information about the materials you work with. This is done by Chemical Supplier labels, Workplace labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
Each research unit should have a copy of the University of Manitoba WHMIS handbook. An online version is available at:

http://umanitoba.ca/admin/human_resources/ehso/media/WHMISHandbook2008Web080721.pdf

Before working with a chemical be aware of its specific hazards and of any precautions you should take in handling and disposal. This information can be found in the MSDS sheets. Web links for MSDS sheets can be found at: http://www.umanitoba.ca/human_resources/ehso/rad_safety/Clip2.html

Chemical Inventory Lists

It is the responsibility of each research unit to maintain and post a chemical inventory list and to train all members of the group in specific safety procedures. The chemical inventory list is maintained by EHSO and is located at:
http://www.umanitoba.ca/admin/human_resources/ehso/ehs_db/ehsassist.html
Each research group requires its own User ID and Password to login to the database. Contact Evelyn Froese at the EHSO to obtain this.

Chemical Disposal in Plant Science

There is a bucket in room 333 (Dark Room) for the disposal of gels containing ethidium bromide.
Waste Organic chemicals: Must be poured into a labelled waste bottle.
Waste Acids and Bases: Must be poured into separate, labelled, waste containers. DO NOT mix the two.
When waste containers are full, contact the Safety Office (474-6316) for removal.
Information on what is hazardous waste, how to dispose of it and the forms required are located at http://www.umanitoba.ca/admin/human_resources/ehso/rad_safety/Clip2.html

Disposal of Broken Glass and Sharps

'Broken Glass Disposal' boxes must contain ONLY non-contaminated broken glass or sharps. This does not include needles, syringes, razor and scalpel blades. The boxes are to be filled to the 3/4 full mark and then closed securely with tape and left for caretaing staff.

All needles, syringes, razor and scalpel blades must be discarded in a puncture-resistant sharps container, labeled with the appropriate hazard, and segregated as biological, chemical or non-contaminated waste. The containers are to be filled to the 3/4 full mark. These containers are to be discarded ONLY through the EHSO Hazardous Waste Program,
call 474-6633.

Procedures for Handling Plants with Novel Traits (PNT's) in the Greenhouse

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) required that all PNT's be contained and destroyed using methods that prevent their release into the environment. The following is a list of principles and procedures to be followed when working with PNT's in the greenhouse.

1) Isolation – PNT's should be reproductively isolated from all other same species plants. This can be done in several ways such as timing, separation and/or bagging.

2) PNT's need to be clearly labeled with their own readily identifiable labels.

3) The plant material and seed should be kept in the building at all times and in the greenhouse as much as possible.

4) Any PNT material should be clearly dead before discarding. For the vegetative materials, thorough drying and/or a herbicide spray followed by sufficient time to ensure that the plants are dead is adequate. Alternatively, plants can be autoclaved for 60 minutes.

5) Any PNT seed must be kept contained to the building and/or greenhouse.

The harvesting of PNT's should be done with great care in the greenhouse to ensure that seed does not escape. Thresh the plants over a plastic sheet to ensure that PNT seed does not go astray. The floor should be swept up at the end of harvesting the plants and these sweepings collected for autoclaving in clearly marked bags.

7) The pots that have grown PNT's should be thoroughly watered and retained in the greenhouse for 2 weeks to verify that no PNT seeds have fallen into the pots. If any similar plants emerge, they will be killed manually or with herbicides, as appropriate.

Protocol for Handling Foreign Fungal Cultures

This protocol is only valid for fungal pathogens that do not have profuse sporulation, such as powdery mildews, rust, Penicillium or Botrytis sp.

1. When working with any culture and especially foreign fungal cultures, all containers (Petri plates, tubes, flasks) used for storage or inoculum increase must be labeled and dated.

2. All cultures and leftover inoculum must be autoclaved, when no longer needed.

3. All containers, equipment and surfaces which come in contact with the fungus are autoclaved or sterilized with concentrated bleach solutions (or 95% ethanol).

4. Inoculation of plants, if performed, is generally done in winter in growth cabinets/rooms.

5. Infected seedlings and growing media are systematically autoclaved prior to disposal.

6. Foreign cultures must be stored in safe areas, away from public access. The use of -80 oc freezers is recommended if it is compatible with the survival of the organism.

Chemical Storage

Flammable and combustible liquids must be stored in containers no larger than 4 litres and stored in a vented flammable storage cabinet.
Acids and Bases must be stored in separate cabinets.
There is a hand pump for dispensing ethanol from 25 L containers into smaller bottles located in room 334.
Transport liquid chemicals in a safety container or rubber bucket.
Further information can be found at http://www.umanitoba.ca/admin/human_resources/ehso/rad_safety/Clip2.html

Laboratory Techniques

http://www-genomics.waite.adelaide.edu.au/links_genomics.asp
contains links to DNA databases and other molecular biology protocol sites.

Radioisotopes

Use of radioactive chemicals is done under the authorization of an Internal Radioisotope Permit issued to a permit holder or responsible user by the Environmental Health and Safety Office of the University of Manitoba. The EHSO website  ( http://www.umanitoba.ca/admin/human_resources/ehso/rad_safety/index.html ) has information and links to all aspects of radiochemical usage including permit application, training, ordering radiochemicals, waste disposal, and laser use.

The permit holder may designate a Laboratory Radiation Supervisor to carry out daily duties and responsibilities regarding radioisotope procedures. People permitted to work with radioactive material are to be listed as Designated Workers on the laboratory's permit and are to undergo training. For people working in areas where radioactive material is permitted there is information available that they may be aware of precautions for working nearby such materials.  (http://www.umanitoba.ca/admin/human_resources/ehso/rad_safety/rad_training.html).

Each laboratory having an internal permit for use of radioisotopes is to have a Radiation Safety Manual available which includes information on radiation theory and procedures for open source permits. Such information/procedures include the permit itself, maintenance of inventory records, contamination monitoring and recording, handling of radioisotopes, response to emergency situations involving reporting the incident, securing the affected area, and decontamination of work space and personnel, and waste disposal of solids and liquids. (http://www.umanitoba.ca/admin/human_resources/ehso/rad_safety/RadERProcedures.html)

For further information, refer to the Radiation Safety Manual, or contact Doug Durnin (474-6064). The Safety Office can be contacted by telephone (789-3613 or 474-6633) or by e-mail (radsafe@cc.umanitoba.ca)

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THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA, IAN N. MORRISON RESEARCH FARM, CARMAN & REGION FACILITYBUILDING ALARMS AND LOCK UP PROCEDURES

Building Alarm System

The main building is equipped with a security alarm system that is set at the end of each working day and weekends. Do not enter this building when locked after hours, weekends and holidays unless you have been assigned an access code and have been instructed in lockup and alarm procedures. When an alarm is triggered Campus Security will notify the R.C.M.P. and Carman Research Station Manager, Alvin Iverson or Agricultural Attendant Jim Dunn, who will respond to the intrusion alarm.

To Qualify for a Carman Building Alarm Access Code You Must:

a) be a Plant Science or Campus Manitoba staff member, graduate or summer student who has demonstrated that their work requires access to the building outside regular working hours and weekends.

b) have been issued a building staff entrance key from Department of Plant Science. (contact Bev Godard 474-8563 regarding keys)

c) obtain a user identification code and pin number, training in lockup and alarm procedures and demonstrate he or she can turn the alarm system off and on without triggering an alarm. (Contact, Alvin Iverson, Carman Station Manager (204) 745-3944). During the training session individuals will be asked to create there own confidential PIN number. PIN numbers are NOT to be shared or given to others to use.

Note: Summer student access codes will be removed from the system in September when employment is complete. Graduate student access codes are removed from the system in November at the end of the growing season.

Lockup Procedures

At the end of each work day:

- Equipment is to be turned off (example: fans, computers, scales, fume hoods)
- Tools and equipment are to be returned to there proper or assigned location
- Keys are to be removed from all vehicles and field equipment, and placed on the labeled hook in the key cupboard located above the sink in the shop (Room 125) of the main building.
- Vehicle windows are to be closed and doors locked. Tools are not to be left in the back of trucks overnight, weekends, and/or holidays.
Power to Bulk fuel tank gas and diesel pumps are to be turned off (Building #9)
-Doors in all buildings are to be locked and secure.
- Determine if you are the last person to leave the Main building and who will activate the alarm security system.

Note: Keys are to be returned to the key cupboard each day or when you are finished using them so the next person to use that piece of equipment will be able to find it. If you take a key home by mistake or find a key missing contact Alvin Iverson (204) 745-3944, (cell: 745-8642) as soon as possible so a spare key can be put in place until the original is returned.

Fire Procedures Carman

The main building is equipped with a fire alarm system. The University of Manitoba, Carman & Region Faciltiy, General FIRE EMERGENCY Procedures and Emergency Exit Plan is posted throughout the main building. Take note of where fire extinguishers, pull stations and exits are located. When a fire alarm is triggered, follow posted University of Manitoba fire emergency procedures (R.A.C.E.) and leave the building using the safest, closest exit door. People are to meet outside the main entrance door of the building when a fire in the main building occurs or alarm is triggered. If it is unsafe to meet at the front exit door and wind is from the south, meet at the south parking lot. If wind is from the north, meet at the north parking lot (this is so smoke from a fire will be blown away from you). Ensure eveyone is accounted for and that people can be assigned to warn others not to enter the building from other entrances. The fire department will respond to a fire alarm regardless of whether it is false or real.

First Aid Kits

First aid kits are located in the shop cupboard above the sink (room 125), and in the Kitchen (room 110) and the lunch (room 119) in the main building and in each Plant Science vehicle.

Carman Chemical Storage

The pesticides storage area is located in the main building at Carman (Room 130). Pesticide containers are to be clean, sealed, not leaking and placed in plastic totes on or under the shelves. Pesticides are arranged in alphabetical order by program with a separate section for insecticides within the room and labeled with a permanent alpha-numerical inventory number. The inventory number is recorded in the inventory binder located within the same room. The chemical inventory binder lists all pesticides in the room by alpha-numerical number, product trade and/or scientific name, date purchased, program owner and dates of when the container is emptied, temporarily relocated or returned. Material Safety Data Sheets for each chemical in storage are to be kept in binders on top of the filing cabinet in the chemical lab (room 129) of the Carman and REgion Facility. Internet access to update any outdated Material Safety Data Sheets.

Ask Before You Dig or Soil Sample

There are many hidden hazards throughout the Carman Research Station such as buried high voltage electrical and high pressure natural gas lines and water lines. Contact Alvin Iverson, Carman Research Station Manager for more information.

Carman Computer and Internet Access

See Alvin Iverson for assignment of a user ID and Password

Carman Bulk Fuel Filling

Motorized licensed vehicles are to be fueled at the Co-op in Carman, not from bulk fuel tanks located on the farm.

There are two above ground, double walled, 500 gallon, Westeel Vaccuum Vault bulk fuel tanks located at Carman for fueling of farm field equipment with either dyed diesel fuel or gas. Each tank is labeled and has a metered electric pump with an auto shutoff handle. Do not put diesel fuel in a gas engine, or gas in a diesel engine as this will cause severe engine damage if run in this manner. If you have by accident put the wrong fuel type in a piece of motorized farm equipment do not run the engine, contact the Ian, N. Morrison Carman Research Farm Manager, Alvin Iverson (204) 745-8642 or Agricultural Attendant Jim Dunn for assistance immediately. Ask first if you do not know which fuel to use in a piece of farm equipment. There is a fire extinguisher located by each fuel tank. There is an EMERGENCY FUEL SHUT-OFF located on the outside North east corner of building #9. This will kill the power to both pumps in the event of an emergency. If fuel tanks are empty contact Alvin Iverson or Jim Dunn who will order more fuel. Be careful approcahing the leaving fuel tanks so that you do not run into protective crash bollards with tractors or equipment.

Filling procedures:
1. Turn engine off.
2. If you are first to use the pumps, turn on the labeled main power switches located just inside the walk-in door of building #9. There is a labeled switch for each pump and both need to be turned on. These switches are to be turned off at the end of each work day to prevent unauthorized access to fuel outside of normal working hours.
3. Remove the fuel use log book from the mail box holder located at the fuel tanks and write down the starting meter reading for the fuel you are accessing, diesel or gas.
4. Remove fuel filler cap for the engine.
5. Put auto filling end of the hose into fuel tank.
6. Turn on pump.
7. Fill tank, being careful not to overfill.
8. When tank is full, release auto fill handle and turn pump motor off.
9. Release pressure and fuel into the tank before hanging the handle back up in its holder.
10. Put the filler cap for the engive back on securely.
11. Record the ending meter reading in the fuel use log book and place it back into the mail box holder closing the lid.

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PROTOCOL FOR NOTIFICATION OF APPLICATION OF PESTICIDES ON UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA RESEARCH FARM LAND

Purpose

The purpose of this protocol is to ensure:

a) that all users of and visitors to the agriculture research farm land and facilities at the University of Manitoba are duly informed of pesticide applications. This would include staff from the University of Manitoba, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, the Cereal Research Centre and Native Studies, and
b) that adequate information is provided or posted to ensure the safety of all parties who may use these areas and surroundings.

This protocol is not intended to describe the procedure for application of pesticides. (See Sprayer Protocol for pesticide application procedures). All concerns related to the application of pesticides should be directed to the Head, Department of Plant Science.

Protocol

1. Contact Persons

1.1
All research farm land belonging to the University of Manitoba is under the control of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences through the Department of Plant Science or Department of Animal Science. The Head of the Department of Plant Science and Department of Animal Science are responsible to appoint a contact person/coordinator for the research farm land.

Carman and Region Research Facility, the contact person is
Name: Alvin Iverson
Address: Box 1669, Carman MB R0G 0J0
Telephone No: (204) 745-3944
e-mail:Alvin_Iverson@umanitoba.ca

Glenlea Research Station, the contact person is
Name: Mike Stuski
Address:Room 201 Animal Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB R3T 2N2
Telephone No: (204) 883-2156
e-mail: stuskimf@cc.umanitoba.ca

The Point at Fort Garry Campus, the contact person is
Name: Bob Terhorst
Address: Room 222 Agriculture building, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB R3T 2N2
Telephone No: (204) 474-9898
e-mail: terhorst@ms.umanitoba.ca

1.2
Responsibility of Contact/coordinator

At the beginning of each research season the contact person will post a sign at each entrance to the Research farm land warning that the area is a pesticide application area. The sign will indicate the name and phone number where a contact person may be reached.

2. Responsibility of Users of Research Farm Land

2.1
Pesticide Applicator

The pesticide applicator must have received training and be familiar with the safe handling, application and disposal of pesticides.

The pesticide applicator must have received prior permission to apply pesticides through the Land Request form. Land Request forms are available through the contact persons.

Each pesticide application need not be posted unless an insecticide is used. If an insecticide is used the pesticide applicator must clearly define the application area with posted sign(s) on the plot to be sprayed prior to any application of an insecticide. The warning sign(s) should indicate:
" Contact Name and Telephone No
" Date and Time of application
" Insecticide applied
" Safe Re-entry Date and Time
The pesticide applicator must remove the warning signs at the end of the safe re-entry period.

In addition to their own spray protocols, all non-University pesticide applicators should consult the University of Manitoba, Department of Plant Science Spray Protocol. This protocol is available from the contact person at Carman or The Point. The strictest protocol shall be used in conformance with the University of Manitoba's spray protocol.

2.2
Non-Applicator Users of the Research Lands

It is the responsibility of all users of the Research farm land to look for and avoid areas that have pesticide warning signs posted unless they are wearing appropriate safety equipment.