Student safety

The University of Manitoba is committed to providing a safe and secure campus for all members of the UM community, including students. While the university works to maintain a safe environment, there are also steps you can take to reduce your personal risk: 

• Be aware of your surroundings. It can be easy to become distracted by schoolwork, headphones, or your phone, but staying alert helps you recognize and respond to potential risks.
• Assess the situation. Consider whether there are any safety concerns and think about what actions you would take if something unexpected occurred.
• Choose safer options. Whenever possible, use well-lit pathways, travel with others, let someone know if you are working or studying alone, and avoid unnecessary distractions. 

For information about working alone at the University of Manitoba, visit the Working Alone section of the Workplace safety and health page.

To learn more about the Safe Walk Program and other personal safety initiatives, visit Security Services UM Safe page.

As a student you may have laboratory or field work or even various experiential learning opportunities that have you involved in activities with associated hazards. To mitigate risk and keep you safe you may have courses or safety training that is required by the Environmental Health and Safety Office or your professor/instructor or supervisor. 

If you're unsure about any training requirements, please connect with your professor or instructor, or contact EHSO with a description of your planned activities.

Environmental Health and Safety for Students -- Start with this online course, located in UM Learn, that provides students with relevant information on EHS programs that apply to their own health and safety while learning on the UM campus. This course also introduces students to the Environmental Health and Safety Office and promotes the use of our services where applicable.

Environmental Health and Safety for Students

Introduction to Chemical Safety — Whether you’re new to the lab or just need a refresher, this video covers the essential practices to help keep you and those around you safe. This training video may be required material for labs and courses in various faculties at the University of Manitoba.

Introduction to Chemical Safety Video

There are many other courses available on UM Learn. Make sure to check out the full catalogue of available training. 

EHS Training Program Catalogue

Fire Alarms and Building Evacuations 

When a fire alarm is activated, all building occupants must immediately evacuate. Trained Fire Wardens are located in many University of Manitoba buildings and can assist during evacuations. Fire Wardens can be identified by the red pouch they carry and will direct occupants to the nearest safe exit. Do not enter a building that is under a fire alarm, even if a Fire Warden is not present at the entrance. Please note that Fire Wardens may not be available to respond to alarms that occur after regular operating hours. For more information, visit the EHSO Emergency Response and Fire Safety page. 

Emergency Phones and Code Blue Stations 

Code Blue stations and emergency phones are located throughout campus and can be used to contact assistance during an emergency. For more information, visit the University of Manitoba Security Services (UMSS) website.

Medical Emergencies

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. University of Manitoba Security Services personnel are trained in first aid and can provide assistance while waiting for Emergency Services to arrive.

Your safety is important to us. Students are asked to report any incidents, injuries, hazards, or near misses as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken. 

You can report your incident to EHSO by:

• Phone: 204-474-6633
• Email: ehso@umanitoba.ca
• Online: Incident report webform

Many University of Manitoba courses include hands-on learning experiences, such as laboratories, workshops, studios, and other practical learning environments. To help ensure a safe learning experience, required safety training is provided through your department and must be completed before working with hazardous materials, equipment, or processes.

It is important to understand the hazards associated with your activities and to follow all safety procedures and instructions provided by your instructor or supervisor. 

For more information about safety in laboratory environments, visit the Lab Safety page, or explore the specific safety topics listed below.

Chemical safety Biosafety Radiation safety

While you engage in courses that provide opportunities to learn outside the classroom, you can encounter hazards similar to how you may expect them in a typical laboratory setting.  When conducting learning activities in the field or other locations outside of the University of Manitoba your knowledge of working safely with hazards like chemicals or biologicals still applies. Information on potential hazards in fieldwork can be found on the Field safety page.

Experiential Learning can exist in course project work, field trips, related volunteer opportunities, and Cooperative education programs as some examples. Whether the experience is on or off campus, part of a course or external learning, paid or unpaid, you should always be informed of any hazards you may be exposed to and how to keep yourself safe.  If you are unsure of potential hazards or need more information always know you have the ability to stop and ask questions prior to conducting any tasks or entering a potentially hazardous space.

Your safety and the safety of others are important while living in residence. Be sure to review your Residence Contract, which contains important information about health, safety, and community expectations.

Residence safety tips 

• Plug high-power appliances, such as kettles, directly into wall outlets. Do not use them with power bars.
• Candles, incense, and smoking are not permitted in residence buildings.
• Keep your room window closed when you are away.

Kitchen safety

When using the kitchen facilities: 

• Never leave food unattended while cooking, including when using a microwave.
• Monitor cooking times carefully to prevent food from burning.
• Burnt food can activate smoke detectors and fire alarms, resulting in a building evacuation and a response from the fire department.

If a grease or oil fire occurs: 

• Never use water to extinguish it.
• Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so.
• Cover the pan with a lid to smother the flames, or use an appropriate fire extinguisher.

Fire alarms and evacuations

If a fire alarm sounds, you must leave the building immediately. Even if you believe the alarm may be false, do not re-enter the building until emergency responders or residence staff confirm it is safe to do so. Every alarm must be treated as a real emergency until the fire department has completed its assessment.

For more information regarding living on campus, please visit the living on campus page.

Whether you have a casual or part-time job while you attend university or if you are entering the workplace after graduation, all workers are entitled to protection from injury and illness by law. An employer is responsible for workplace training, developing a health and safety program and making sure its workers understand and follow that program. Your responsibilities include following safety rules and safe work procedures, making every effort to protect yourself and others and reporting unsafe work. If you are ever unsure about a situation or how to do something safely, make sure to ask a supervisor for direction.

For more information about health and safety while working at the university, please visit the Workplace safety and health page.

Employees of the University of Manitoba who teach or supervise student learning activities may require assistance from the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) to review either course activities or experiential learning opportunities for hazards. EHSO can help to ensure risks are reduced to prevent any safety concerns. If you require assistance contact EHSO to discuss your program, course or experiential learning opportunity.