Ralph’s safety leadership has supported students and colleagues across academic generations. Known as a reliable and approachable resource, Ralph has supported coworkers through chemical safety updates, hazard identification, WHMIS training, and equipment use guidance. He frequently assists new technicians with safe chemical disposal, regularly answers protocol questions, and has helped ensure that all laboratory groups follow requirements and guidelines.

A long-time advocate for laboratory safety, Ralph has gone above and beyond his formal duties by organizing and delivering annual WHMIS presentations for the Plant Science Department, ensuring all lab members stay informed of current regulatory requirements. His leadership has ensured that the department keeps current with safety legislation standards, and his presentations are a trusted part of the department’s safety culture.

Quotes from colleagues illustrate the depth of his influence. Colleagues noted,

• “Ralph would visit me in my lab to update me on hazardous chemical updates and help me prepare for safety inspections.”
• “He makes himself approachable with regard to any question, whether it be from graduate students or coworkers unsure of how to proceed.”

Notably, this nomination was a collective effort, submitted with the signatures of multiple staff members from his department, all attesting to the role Ralph has played in shaping a safer workplace. The nominations for Ralph strongly empathize his leadership, consistency, and genuine care for the well-being of others has left a lasting mark on the University of Manitoba community.

Please join us in congratulating Ralph Kowatsch on this well-earned recognition and thanking him for his contributions to keep our campus safe.

Keeping Your Lab Safe and Compliant

Beyond everyday cleanliness, maintaining proper chemical and biological agent storage is critical to preventing hazards. Regularly check for expired or unwanted chemicals and dispose of them through the Hazardous Waste Program, keeping storage areas compliant and organized. Additionally, Vertere, the university’s chemical inventory management system, can help researchers share surplus chemicals instead of purchasing new ones, reducing waste and promoting cost-effective practices.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Check

An often-overlooked aspect of lab maintenance is ensuring that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is available, accessible, and in good condition. Lab coats, gloves, safety goggles, and other essential PPE should be properly stored and replaced as needed to maintain a safe working environment. Inspect PPE regularly to confirm it meets safety standards and is free from damage or contamination.

A well-maintained lab fosters a safer research environment for all, ensuring compliance with safety protocols and promoting a culture of responsibility. Let’s work together to keep our laboratories clean, organized, and safe for everyone!

To prepare, Physical Plant implements measures to ensure a safe and respectful environment for both people and geese at the Fort Garry campus. Operations and Maintenance will be covering planters to deter nesting in areas with high human traffic; geese that nest on rooftops will be provided access ramps for their goslings upon hatching. As the geese begin to nest, signs will be posted in nesting areas to warn people of their presence. Learn more about the UM Wildlife Management Plan.

Sharing Campus Respectfully

Geese thrive in urban environments due to access to water, food, nesting sites, and protection from predators. While they are fascinating to observe, they can also be territorial and defensive—especially during nesting season. However, these geese are accustomed to campus life. They navigate our human activities daily, coexisting with cars, traffic, and pedestrians. They acknowledge our presence and respect our space. It’s essential that we do the same in return, recognizing that they are as much a part of the campus as the buildings we use.

Canada geese contribute to our university experience, and we should take pride in maintaining an environment that supports them. To ensure a safe and harmonious coexistence:

• Observe geese from a distance and avoid approaching their nests.
• Be mindful of posted signs and avoid areas with active nests.
• If a goose hisses, flaps its wings, or moves toward you, calmly back away to give it space.
• Do not take selfies with geese.
• Do not throw objects at or antagonize them.
• Do not feed them.
• Drive cautiously, being prepared for geese to cross a road.

Avian Flu Awareness:  Ways to Protect Yourself

As we welcome the geese back to campus, it’s also important to be aware of the risks associated with avian flu. This virus has been affecting wild birds across North America, including waterfowl like geese. To protect both yourself and wildlife:

• If a bird looks like it needs help, don’t approach or touch it. Sick or injured birds may carry avian flu, which can spread to humans and other animals.
• Avoid contact with bird droppings and wash your hands thoroughly if you encounter areas frequented by birds.
• Pet owners should keep dogs on a leash to prevent them from interacting with birds or bird droppings.

If you witness anyone engaging in harmful behavior toward the geese, please report it to Campus Security. For concerns about wildlife on campus, contact the Physical Plant Customer Service Desk at ppwod@umanitoba.ca.

By respecting the geese and staying informed about avian flu, we can ensure a safe and welcoming environment for both wildlife and the campus community.

While these devices offer convenience and environmental benefits, their use within university buildings and entrances is strictly prohibited due to safety concerns. This restriction extends to areas such as stairs, ramps, and accessibility pathways to prevent hazards to users, students, staff, and the general campus community.

Please use your device responsibly, respecting all rules of the road and practicing caution on all pathways and spaces to ensure your safety and that of others. Be mindful of your surroundings.

To ensure safety and accessibility, PMDs must not be stored in a manner that creates trip hazards or obstructs emergency exits. Storing devices in common areas, stairwells, or hallways is strictly prohibited. Users are encouraged to park their PMDs in designated bike and e-bike parking areas, which can be found on the University’s Getting Here resource page.

While bike and e-bike parking options are available, the University does not provide dedicated electrical charging infrastructure at bike lockers, stations, or racks. To minimize charging/electrical impacts on the University Community, recreational PMD users are asked to charge their devices prior to arriving on campus.

For individuals who require a PMD for research or academic activities, a formal risk assessment must be conducted in consultation with the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO). To initiate this process, contact EHSO via email at ehso@umanitoba.ca.

If accommodations related to indoor PMD use are required, please reach out to the appropriate campus services:

• For employees: Contact Employee Wellness at employee.wellness@umanitoba.ca
• For students: Contact Student Accessibility Services at student_accessibility@umanitoba.ca

By adhering to these guidelines, PMD users contribute to a safer, more accessible, and environmentally conscious campus community.

Nominees for this award may not have safety tasks as part of their primary job responsibilities but take action to enhance safety on campus. These are the people who go above and beyond their roles to create a safe and supportive environment.

Award Criteria:

Nominees may demonstrate any or all the following elements:

• Commitment to Health and Safety: Nominees should demonstrate a proactive approach to safety, going beyond their regular duties to promote and maintain a safe environment.
• Initiatives and Innovations: This criterion recognizes nominees who have developed or implemented programs, procedures, or initiatives that have significantly enhanced workplace safety.
• Impact: The award celebrates positive outcomes resulting from the nominee’s contributions to safety, benefiting both the campus and the broader university community.
• Collaboration and Leadership: Nominees should have shown leadership in safety efforts, working collaboratively with others to foster a culture of health and safety.

Nomination Submission’s Process:
Nominations can be submitted using a fillable PDF form that includes additional details on the award criteria and submission requirements. The deadline for nominations is April 18, 2025. Completed forms should be sent to ehso@umaniotba.ca.

This award represents the University of Manitoba’s commitment to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all staff, faculty, and students. We look forward to receiving your nominations and celebrating the outstanding efforts of our community members.

Selection Process:

For more information about the award, criteria, and nomination details, please visit the EHSO intranet site or contact the EHSO office directly.

The winner will be selected based on the merit of the nomination submission, with particular attention to the impact and significance of their contributions to campus safety. If multiple nominations are submitted for an individual, this will be taken into consideration as a further testament to their dedication and impact on the university community.

For more information on the award and to locate the form please visit: https://umanitoba.sharepoint.com/sites/um-intranet-workplace-safety-and-health/SitePages/Health-and-Safety-Award-Program.aspx

Tips for Staying Safe:

• Choose the Right Footwear: Wear boots or shoes with good traction to prevent slipping.
• Walk Carefully: Take slow, deliberate steps, and avoid rushing, especially on icy pathways.  Use the “penguin shuffle” technique—take small steps, keep your feet flat, and extend your arms slightly for balance.
• Stay on Designated Paths: Stick to cleared and salted walkways and avoid shortcuts through unmaintained areas.
• Be Alert: Pay attention to your surroundings, as black ice can be hard to spot.  Be extra cautious if entering campus in the early morning or during changing conditions.

Slipping on ice can lead to injuries ranging from minor bruises to serious fractures. Additionally, near misses—situations where accidents are narrowly avoided—can be just as dangerous if left unaddressed. If you experience a slip, trip, fall, or a near miss, it’s important to report it to the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) through the Incident Report Webform. Reporting these events helps the university identify high-risk areas and implement measures to prevent future accidents.

Please remember to dispose of cigarette butts in designated receptacles only, rather than in regular waste or recycling bins, and avoid littering them on the grounds. Misplaced cigarette butts can pose a fire risk, potentially damaging campus property and causing personal injury.

For those seeking assistance with smoking cessation, please visit your family doctor or pharmacy for a free consultation. Additional Health and Wellness Resources are also available for students and employees through the University’s websites. Thank you for helping to keep our campus clean and safe for all!

Air intake vent with no smoking sign

New UM Learn Training Modules

To ensure that everyone on campus is equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to maintain a safe environment, EHSO has developed comprehensive training modules available on UM Learn. These modules cover a wide range of topics, including:

• Environmental Health and Safety Basics
• Biological Safety Training
• Chemical Safety Training
• Asbestos Awareness
• EHS for Students
• EHS for Supervisors
• Office Ergonomics
• Lab Safety for Non-Lab Workers
• Visitor Safety

Course description of these and other offering from EHSO can be found in the EHS Safety Training Manual. These training modules are designed to create a comprehensive and robust safety culture. By completing these courses, participants will be better prepared to identify and mitigate potential hazards in their respective environments. See the Self-Registration tab in UM Learn to find offerings from EHSO.

In addition to the new training modules, EHSO has also enhanced its incident reporting form, which is accessible through their website.

This user-friendly platform allows for the timely and accurate reporting of any safety-related incidents or concerns. Key features of the incident reporting system include:

Ease of Access: Reports can be submitted from any device with internet access, ensuring that incidents are documented as soon as they occur.

Confidentiality: The system ensures that all reports are handled with the utmost confidentiality, protecting the privacy of those who report incidents.

Submitted reports are immediately forwarded to the appropriate EHSO team member to facilitate prompt investigation and response.   EHSO collects and analyzes data on reported incidents, helping to identify trends and areas for improvement.  The combination of comprehensive training and efficient incident reporting is crucial for maintaining a safe campus environment.

The University of Manitoba’s Environmental Health and Safety Office is dedicated to enhancing campus safety through education and efficient reporting systems. The new UM Learn training modules and the incident reporting system are essential tools in this mission. By staying informed and proactive, we can all contribute to a safer and healthier campus community. Find information on all EHS programs at https://umanitoba.ca/environmental-health-and-safety/.

Many geese stay in and around Winnipeg because of their protected status in urban environments and the availability of water, food, nesting sites and safety from predators.

Please be cautious! These unique campus community members are interesting and fun to watch — but be sure to do so from afar. Geese can be aggressive when they feel threatened. However, with some consideration, geese and humans can share our campus without incident.

Operations and Maintenance will be covering planters to deter nesting in areas with high human traffic; geese that nest on rooftops will be provided access ramps for their goslings upon hatching. As the geese begin to nest, signs will be posted in nesting areas to warn people of their presence. Geese don’t like to be surprised and can be protective of their area.

This story is part of the U of M’s “Respect the Goose” education and awareness campaign regarding the goose population on the Fort Garry campus with input from internal and external experts and other stakeholders.

For concerns with wildlife on our campuses, please contact the Customer Service Desk at ppwod@umanitoba.ca.

You can learn more by reading the Respect the Goose series.

You can also learn more about Operations and Maintenance’s wildlife management plan on the goose education web page.

Update: All buildings are online as of approximately 6 p.m., Feb. 21.

Update 4:25 p.m: Power has been restored for Investors Group Athletic Centre; Education Building and Migizii Agamik. Biological Sciences is expected to be up in a couple of hours.

Update 1:20 p.m.: Power has been restored for Group 2 buildings: St. John’s College; St. Paul’s & Sinnott; Wallace; Nursing; Parkade; Fitzgerald.

Buildings currently without power are: Biological Sciences; Max Bell; Investors Group Athletic Centre; Education Building; Migizii Agamik.

Update 11:09 a.m.: Power for Group 2 is expected to be restored by 12:30 PM: St. John’s College; St. Paul’s & Sinnott; Wallace; Nursing; Parkade; Fitzgerald.

Update 9:50 a.m.: The overall duration of the outage is expected to be: 12 hours. Please note that this may change. Buildings are being restored by groupings based on power supply.

Up currently: High Voltage, Engineering 1, 2 and 3.

NOW UP: Group 1 (by 10:30 AM): Physical Plant; Stores Building; Mary Speechly; Pembina Hall and Residence; Drake Centre; Tier; Isbister; Fletcher Argue.

Group 2 (by 11:30 AM): St. John’s College; St. Paul’s & Sinnott; Wallace; Nursing; Parkade; Fitzgerald.

Update 9:16 a.m.: Physical Plant is currently bringing buildings back on line. Some should be back up in running within hours.

Update 9:05 a.m.: Emergency power is starting to diminish in certain buildings. Please enact your emergency plan for no power in the building if this occurs.