UBC Mandatory Training
Once you have obtained your training certificates, please visit the LFS Training Record Management System, login with your CWL and upload your training certificates. Access requests, including keys, will not be authorized until all certificates are uploaded.
*Please note that if you try to access the LFS Training Record Management System off campus, you must be connected via UBC VPN.A number of Mandatory Training are required for All UBC Workers and must be fulfilled in a timely fashion. These include:
For supervisors* additionally:
For workers who interact with the public:
For members of the UBC Farm Local Safety Team (LST) additionally:
* Note the distinction between HR and WSBC definitions of “supervisor.” You may not be a HR supervisor, but if you are leading others in a particular task, you are designated by WorkSafeBC as the supervisor for that task and you are partly responsible for the safety of everyone involved.
For UBC Farm Workers, the following mandatory orientation and training is required, depending on your work area:
UBC Farm LST
What’s a Local Safety Team (LST)?
Many areas of UBC have a variety of work groups and workplaces, which have a diverse set of functions and related potential hazards. Where one JOHSC would be overwhelmed by the scale and scope of their mandate, there is the ability to organize and implement Local Safety Teams (LSTs) to provide site-specific safety information to the JOHSC.
Unlike JOHSCs, the LSTs are not required nor governed under The Workers Compensation Act. They exist to provide assistance on safety items and issues within their mandate and provide information, recommendations, and support to the JOHSC.
Learn more about the structure of Health and Safety Committees at UBC in the Checklist Information section.
UBC Farm Site Safety Orientation
Part 2: Site Specific Safety Orientation Checklist (PDF)
Section A. General Safety Info + Contacts
☐ Know the address of the facility: 3461 Ross Drive
☐ Know our Muster Station location (Emergency meeting place): EVENTS FIELD OR grassy area at the corner of Ross Dr. and Birney Ave./strong>
☐ Know where the emergency procedures (fire, earthquake, etc.) are posted: Farm Centre bulletin board, online: Building Emergency Response Plan (BERP)
☐ Know the location of first responder phone numbers (e.g. Hospital, Security and First Aid)
Emergency Numbers:
- Fire/Police/Ambulance: 911
- Occupational First Aid (Vancouver Campus): 604-822-4444
- Hazardous Material Response (Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services): 911
- UBC Hospital Urgent Care (8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.): 604-822-7662
- Poison Control Centre: 604-682-5050
- Campus Security (For an Emergency call 911): 604-822-2222
For non-emergency injuries, Campus Security (as of July 1, 2021) is prepared to provide first aid to those not covered by Occupational first aid. This is anyone who is not paid: visitors, students, volunteers, community members.
☐ Familiar with the location of nearest fire alarms, fire extinguisher, emergency exits, and muster station: Farm Centre Map with AED, Fire Alarms, Fire Extinguisher
- Muster station: Main entrance gate, events field
☐ Familiar with the location of First Aid kits:
- Harvest hut: On top of drawers - First aid, eye wash, naloxone
- Tool Shed (main): On left wall - First Aid, Spill kit
- D-6 Shipping container shed: On back shelf - First Aid
- Van "Blue Whale": Centre console - First Aid
- Farm Centre: Kitchen - white cubbies First Aid, Epi Pens, naloxone / wall beside door - AED
☐ Know the names of joint occupational health & safety committee
Faculty of Land and Food Systems (JOHSC) members, your UBC Farm local safety team (LST) members, first aid and emergency contact numbers:
Local Safety Team (LST):
- Tim Carter
LST Co-Chair; Farm Field Manager
Tim.carter@ubc.ca 604-822-5092 - Andy Jeffries
LFS JOHSC Co-Chair
Faculty Operations Manager
andy.jeffries@ubc.ca
604-822-3488
Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOHSC):
☐ Familiar with the UBC Centralized Accident/Incident Reporting System: UBC CAIRS
☐ Have access to a copy of facility safety manual (e.g. BERP): UBC Farm Building Emergency Response Plan (BERP)
☐ Informed of right to refuse unsafe work, including participating in safety processes, knowing hazards of the work: WorkSafeBC
☐ Provide access to copies of UBC relevant safety policies: UBC Policies Directory
- SC4 (Environmental Protection)
- SC1 (Health & Safety)
- UBC Health & Safety Accountability Chart
- SC10 (Disaster Management)
☐ Assess training needs and register for upcoming Health, Safety & Environment sessions: UBC Training, other agricultural training (Pesticide Applicators Certificate)
☐ Briefed on security issues including best practices, issuing access card, and key(s): Key Requests form for LFS, UBC Farm
☐ Briefed on access to room and workstation booking procedures: MacMillan and UBC Farm Space Booking System (must use VPN for off campus access)
☐ Briefed on use of printers and office: UBC Farm Office Charter (in UBC Farm Google Drive)
- Be respectful of the UBC Farm Office Charter, shared space and equipment and keep your work area clean and tidy
☐ Briefed on Waste Disposal procedures including recycling program: Garbage, Compost, Paper, Cans & bottles, Soft Plastic & Styrofoam
Section B. Accident Reporting (CAIRS)
☐ I am aware that I must immediately report all accidents, near accidents, injuries or incidents to my supervisor and the LST.
☐ I know that I must report all safety concerns to my supervisor. If an incident is not handled to my satisfaction, I am aware that I can contact a member of the LST for assistance.
☐ CAIRS reports must be submitted within 48 hours - they do not need to be 100% complete when first submitted. Full Investigation Reports must be completed within 30 days.
- Resource: UBC Incident Site Investigation Guide
- Resource: UBC Ergonomic, MSI Injury Investigation Guide
Incidents, accidents and near misses must be reported to UBC's CAIRS System. This reporting system allows UBC to centralize reporting to WorkSafeBC, and collect data about accidents at UBC.
Incident Investigation Roles:
MANAGER/SUPERVISOR (employer representative) of the person injured/affected, or who is responsible for the area/work, must investigate and submit a CAIRS report within 48 hours of incident.
WORKER REPRESENTATIVE (non-management) must participate in the investigation.
JOINT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE (JOHSC) AND LOCAL SAFETY TEAM (LST) REPRESENTATIVES assist with the investigation.
INJURED OR AFFECTED WORKER, if available, provides details to the investigation team and files their own CAIRS report.
SAFETY & RISK SERVICES & FACULTY/DEPARTMENT SAFETY ADVISORS provides resources and support for all involved in investigations.
You can, and will in most cases be required to, re-open your CAIRS report to add details, follow-up information, photos and other resources as needed. After an incident or accident is reported, there must be a follow up investigation
- Accident/Incident reporting - for Workers
- Accident/Incident reporting - for Supervisors
- Accident/Incident reporting - for Unpaid Students, Visitors, Contractors
- CAIRS Support and Resources
CAIRS reports are reviewed by the JOHSC monthly - providing the JOHSC with all the information needed to assess and recommend action and follow-up is important, and will have your report resolved more quickly.
Who submits a CAIRS report? The supervisor and worker should both contribute to the CAIRS report. If a worker submits the CAIRS report first, their supervisor will automatically be notified to follow up on the incident. Review the process for each staff, supervisors, and/or unpaid student and visitors using the links above.
Not sure if you should submit a CAIRS report? "It is better to have it and not need than to need it and not have it!"
If you miss any work time due to injury, strain, or other conditions of the workplace, a CAIRS report MUST be submitted. Ergonomics (overexertion and repetitive strain) injuries are included in this. See the Ergonomics information in "Section E. Potential Hazards"
CAIRS reports, for injuries especially, are your first step towards WorkSafeBC compensation in the event of an injury that causes you to miss work. IE. If you feel a twinge in your back at work on Thursday, and this progresses into a greater injury or reinjury later in the month, the ideal timeline is having the CAIRS report submitted and "open" on that Thursday to follow-up on.
Section C. Information Regarding Working Alone
UBC SRS: What is working alone?
Individuals at the UBC Farm are not permitted to work alone unless they have completed the required training courses and confirmed a check in procedure with their supervisor.
The following guidelines will be applied if you must work alone after hours (evenings and weekends):
- You must setup a buddy system so that someone else is working or studying in the same space if evening or weekend work is required.
- Create a check in procedure with your supervisor (Example template: Working Alone or in Isolation Protocol)
- Keep the work space door closed and locked.
- Call campus security in case of an emergency - 604-822-2222
- Be aware of all hazards in the work space.
- UBC Farm prohibits tool and equipment use when working alone or after dusk unless in a well lit space and with another worker.
Section D. Personal and Campus Safety
Personal security is an important consideration for everyone regardless of age, gender or ability.
Please consider some of these options to enhance your safety. Follow your intuition about your personal security. If something doesn't feel safe, trust your intuition.
- Use AMS Safewalk (604-822-5355) to request accompaniment while
walking on campus (8pm until 2am for all faculty, staff, students and visitors) - Know the location of the UBC Blue Phones. These connect directly to Campus Security.
- Use the community shuttles on campus. The nearest bus stop to UBC Farm is on Ross Drive @ Birney Ave, serviced by the 68 UBC Exchange shuttle.
- Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you.
- Let someone know your plans and expected return time.
- Remain alert by not wearing any electronic device that could prevent you from hearing any signs of danger.
- Know your location and be able to describe where you are if you need to call for help.
- Only accept rides from someone you know well.
- If having a conversation with someone you meet, refer to 'we' to indicate you are not alone.
- When entering or exiting a locked residence, ensure that the door is secured before proceeding.
- Set the phone number for UBC Campus Security number (604-822-2222) in your cell or desk phone speed dial.
If you witness a crime or are being targeted, call 911 immediately. If you have information about a crime that has already occurred, contact your local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or text 274637 with keyword “BCTIP".
Criminal Activity? Feeling threatened? ALWAYS make the call even if you are unsure: Dial 911 and ask for UBC RCMP (Police).
☐ I have been advised about the hazards that may be encountered while performing my work tasks.
- Forest areas and forest edges: Fallen trees, hanging branches. Stay out during high winds. Remember to look up!
- Fields and roadways: Tractor and machinery use, vehicles on site using roadways, sun exposure, uneven ground and tripping hazards.
- Tetanus:a bacterium commonly found in soil that can be contracted through skin abrasions and wounds. (A booster is recommended every 10 years, or immediately after incidents such as cuts and scrapes. These can be administered at the nearest Pharmacy in Wesbrook Village.)
- Verbal abuse or violence from a customer or other member of the public.
- Crushing from farm equipment.
- Falling from a ladder.
- Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) from deskwork, weeding, harvesting, etc. (by far the most likely form of injury here). See Ergonomics below.
- Sting from a wasp, with possible allergic response. (Know where emergency Epi-Pens are stored: Farm Centre Kitchen First Aid Cubby)
- Burning from hot water, a stove, or a torch.
- Laceration or puncture from any number of sharp objects.
- Heatstroke.
- Exposure to wildfire smoke.
- Sunburn; skin cancer.
- Contracting a disease from the chickens.
- Contracting a disease from a co-worker or member of the public.
Ergonomics:
Ergonomic injuries (overexertion and repetitive strain injuries) account for over 40% of the days lost from WSBC accepted time loss claims.
Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) risk factors are regulated under sections (4.46 to 4.53) of the BC Worker’s Compensation Act which places a legal responsibility on employers to identify factors in the workplace that may expose workers to a risk of MSI, assess the risk level and implement controls to eliminate or, if that is not practical, minimize the risk of musculoskeletal injury.
Ergonomics posters in Yurt, Farm Centre, Harvest Hut
Setting up your workstation - examples of configuration
Heat Stress and Air Quality:
If you see someone suffering from too much heat, call 9-1-1 and help them cool off by applying water to their face and neck until emergency services arrive. You can also call 8-1-1 to speak to a nurse. Interpretation services are available on these phone numbers.
For more information, resources and references to help you identify signs and symptoms of heat stress, and guidance to prevent heat exposure, please visit Safety & Risk Services.
Field Worker Safety
- Radios: Always have a charged radio with you! Channels 1-7 are the same and are for field and sales; channels 14-16 are the same and are for children’s programs.
Please have longer conversations in person or on a private channel (8-13). On Saturdays channel 13 is used for the Saturday Market team.
Charge your radio every night - either in the Harvest Hut or Farm Centre. It is best to have and label your own radio. (Ask Tim for a label) - Lift properly. Use your knees, not your back, and avoid twisting. Ask for help if needed. If something else is in the way, move it first (even if that means moving a whole stack of loaded crates one at a time before you go after the one crate you’re actually after that’s behind them).
- Take the time required to set up computer workspaces so that they work for your body. (Use Ergo checklist!)
- Think for yourself. If it seems unsafe, don’t do it. Don’t let something you’ve been taught (or you thought you were taught) overrule common sense.
- Listen to your body. Switch tasks or the method of performing the task if something doesn’t feel right. Pay special attention to pain from joints and tendons. Keep your wrists in a neutral position as much as possible. Repetitive motion injuries can sneak up on you. Let your supervisor know before it becomes a problem.
- Use ladders safely. Take the time it takes to create a stable, level surface for the ladder’s feet. Don’t ask someone to hold a ladder to make up for unstable footing.
- Don’t use dangerous equipment or materials that you haven’t been trained on.
- When working with dangerous equipment, don’t exceed your level of training. New tasks and unfamiliar working conditions may require additional training.
- Don’t come to work if you are seriously sick, especially if your sickness is gastrointestinal or you have a fever. This is for the health and safety of your coworkers and our customers (if you’ll be handling food).
- Don’t leave tools or rocks lying around in the grass. They can be hit by a mower and thrown at bystanders.
- Don’t throw rocks where you can’t see (into a stand of trees) without checking first. Someone could be in there.
- Wear appropriate attire for the weather. This includes protection from sun exposure.
- Wear protective footwear. No sandals or soft-toed shoes.
- When cleaning the coops, eye and respiratory safety equipment should be worn.
- When diatomaceous earth is used, eye and respiratory safety equipment should be worn.
- Always use caution when around electric fence. Disconnect fence before working in the chicken pasture.
- Refer to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for chemicals used and follow safety recommendations for handling and use, including for diatomaceous earth and egg washing detergent.
Refer to UBC Farm Poultry Operations Manual (on Farm Server: farm-staff/Livestock Management/Chickens/Operation manuals)
Working in Harvest Hut + processing Areas
Ergonomic set-up of processing stations
Map of workstations for distancing?
Tent and table set-up
Training Logs are stored on the Farm Server: Z:\farm-staff\Health and Safety\Waivers and Orientations\Staff\Equipment Training Record Templates.docx
- John Deere 2355 w/loader
- Kubota L3800
- Kubota B7510
- Hitching up PTO powered 3-pt tractor implements
- Rollover Plough
- Rock Picker / Potato Digger
- Manure Spreader
- Top Dresser / Side Dresser
- Backpack Sprayers
- Kuhn Tiller
- Flail Mowers for 4 wheeled tractors
- String Trimmer / Weedeater (no blade)
- Brushcutter with blade
- Chainsaw - bucking
- Chainsaw – felling small trees
- Push Mower (gas)
- Honda tiller
- Flame Weeder
- Arc Welder
- Oxy-Acetylene torch
- Table Saw
- Circular Saw
- Metal Cut-Off Saw
- Drill Press
- Handheld Drill
- Angle Grinders
- Air Stapler
- Pressure washer
- Grillo G-110 two wheel tractor
- Grillo tiller
- Berta flail mower
- Power Ox cultivating tractor and implements
- Orchard Ladder
Researchers, Community Programs, Visitors and Volunteers
Paid vs unpaid
Related media:
1. "Good Soil, Good Humans: Growing Science" (YouTube, 2018) What does learning at UBC Farm offer students? Assistant Professor Sean Smukler on experiential learning in the field.
Health and Safety Orientation for Visitors
By coming here, you acknowledge that there is risk.
The CSFS Health and Safety Committee has a Terms of Reference document which outlines our role.
• Emergency call 911, preferably from a landline
• First aid kit locations (Harvest Hut, Farm Centre)
• First Aid Attendant list (point out hallway list)
• Fire extinguisher locations
Site rules
• Smoking is not permitted on site; outside gates only
• Dogs must be on leash
• Alcohol - Special Occasion License required, no alcohol on site
• Fires – permit required, fire pit cleanliness and respect for site
• Handwashing before working in the field, in the kitchen (foodsafe)
• Comfort zone – you can say no to a task you don’t feel confident doing
• Protective clothing; eg. Bike helmets, sun hat, gloves to protect your hands
• Respect the spaces of other programs and participants (eg fire pit)
• Act safely, be aware of your surroundings, other people and activities
• Let someone know if you spot an unsafe hazard or act
You have the right to:
• Be treated with respect as a valuable member of UBC Farm
• Be appropriately assigned to a meaningful task
• Receive training appropriate to your volunteer position
• Be involved in the evaluation of the program in which you are working
• Be recognized for your good work
• Participate in training opportunities
• Be insured against injury or liability during duties
• Receive a letter of reference
You have the responsibility to;
• Attend training opportunities if required by your position
• Fill in your emergency contact information
• Fill out the waiver portion online
• Tell us if you are hurt or injured in any way
• Get your tetanus shot up to date (or get one if you come in contact with rust)
• Understand requirements of time and duties before committing to an assignment
• Be considerate of other volunteers, staff and guests
• Cancel with advance notice so that others may participate
• Fulfill your assignment to the best of your ability
• Take charge of recording your hours
• Share your ideas and concerns with staff
• Seek and accept feedback on performance
• Dress for the weather and activity – think long wet grasses and boots
• Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated on the fields so you can whistle while you work
