Student Safety Information

Your safety and the safety of others is our highest priority at the J. F. Witter Teaching and Research Center.

Required Training

University Employees and Volunteers

All faculty, staff, graduate students, student and other employees, and volunteers must complete the safety training steps listed below prior to engaging in any activity at the Witter Center (i.e., Witter Farm, Rogers Farm or Smith Farm). Faculty, staff or graduate students not directly engaged in activities at the Witter Center, but supervising employees and volunteers working there must review and sign a copy of the Center area-specific safety training guideline, annually.

  • Annual Basic Safety Training
    Complete this annual training independently using the on-line tutorial. Annual Basic Safety Training completed elsewhere at UMaine satisfies this requirement.
  • Farm Safety
    Complete this annual training independently using the on-line tutorial.
  • Site-Specific Safety Training
    This annual training provides information on hazards and personal protection requirements for specific locations at the Witter Center. Training is provided by Witter Center staff. Contact the superintendent or other appropriate Witter Center staff to arrange training.

Students (Academic Activities)

Students in courses or participating in other academic activities must receive safety training appropriate to their activities at the Witter Center. The instructor is primarily responsible for ensuring the safety of students and adequate training. Instructors must contact the superintendent to discuss safety training requirements and needs. For courses held at the Witter Center, instructors must arrange for safety training at beginning of the first class meeting at a farm. As a general guideline, if students will have regular unsupervised activity at the Center, the required safety training will be similar to that for employees.

Students (Extracurricular Activities)

Students must receive safety training appropriate to the extracurricular activities at the Witter Center. The advisors or students must contact the superintendent to discuss safety training requirements and needs. As a general guideline, if students will have regular unsupervised activity at the Witter Center, the required safety training will be similar to that for employees.

Area-Specific Training

This training is specific to the work area and activity, but below is a list of topics that might be included:

  • Accident prevention signs and tags
  • Emergency action plan
  • Fire prevention plan
  • Chemical hygiene
  • Personal injury and reporting
  • Hazard checklist
  • Personal protection equipment
  • Pesticide safety
  • Ladder safety/Fall protection
  • Lock out/Tag out
  • Material handling
  • Shop safety

Training Documentation

University Employees and Volunteers

University employees and volunteers must submit a printed copy of the completed test modules for Annual Basic Safety Training and Farm Safety Training to the superintendent. Documentation of area-specific training will be handled when that training is provided. Two forms will be completed at area-specific training: 1) Release and Assumption of Risk and 2) Emergency Contact Information.

Students in Animal and Veterinarian Sciences Courses

Students must submit a printed copy of the completed test modules for Annual Basic Safety Training and Farm Safety Training to their instructor for grading no later than the second class meeting. The instructor will be responsible for returning signed and graded safety exams to the Witter Center superintendent. Documentation for area-specific training will occur at the first class meeting. Two forms will be completed at area-specific training: (1) Release and Assumption of Risk and (2) Emergency Contact Information.

Other Students (Academic and Extracurricular Activities)

Requirements will depend on the level of safety training. Instructors and advisors should confer with the superintendent.

Incident Reporting

Staff and student employees injured while working at the Witter Center must inform their direct supervisor and the superintendent. Students injured while participating in class activities must inform their course instructor or advisor and the superintendent. Instructors and supervisors will advise students and employees on university procedures for injury reporting.

In case of emergencies, dial 911 or Public Safety at 581-4040