Visitor 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. 

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

Your safety is important to us. Visitors 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

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.

To help ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all visitors, Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) recommends the following safety practices: 

• Walk on designated, well-lit pathways and remain aware of uneven surfaces or changing ground conditions.
• Familiarize yourself with the emergency evacuation maps posted throughout campus buildings. In the event of a fire or other emergency, follow the designated evacuation routes and the nearest emergency exit signs.
• Stay clear of active construction areas. As the university continues to grow and improve its facilities, it is important to respect all barriers, signage, and restricted construction zones.
• If you are feeling unwell, please stay home. Depending on the event, remote participation options may be available for seminars, ceremonies, or other campus activities.

Additional campus resources and information pages linked below: 

Construction Disruptions and notices UM Convocation

• Are you a visitor to the University engaged in research or other similar activities?
• Are you volunteering at the University for an event or for an ongoing project?
• Are you a visiting student or academic from another university or educational institution?

If you have answered “yes” to any of the above questions or have any questions or concerns about your safety at the university, feel free to contact EHSO for assistance. Your UM Host will assess any hazards concerning your planned activities for your visit and provide you with any information, training and tools you need to make your experience positive. Our goal is to ensure your time here is safe for you, others in the UM Community and for the environment.

If you are a UM employee who is hosting a visitor who will be participating in research, volunteer, or educational activities, you may need to conduct a safety assessment. The assessment is required if your visitor will be working with or around any hazardous materials or equipment or any activity they are involved in may pose risk to their health and safety or that of others. Complete the Visitor Safety Risk Assessment form to determine if your visitor requires any specific safety training, waivers, personal protective equipment or other control measures in order to be safe while on campus.

Visitor Safety Risk Assessment Form

It is recommended that visitors to the UM who are conducting volunteer activities, research or experiential learning on campus complete the Visitor Safety online course in UM Learn. In order to access this course your visitor will require a sponsored account. Please visit the IST webpage for information on obtaining a sponsored account. Other training that may be required will be identified as you complete the above assessment.