Safety
Worker Protection Standards
We strive to keep a healthy and enjoyable environment for those working and learning at Horticulture Teaching and Research Center (HTRC) all the time, making safety for employees and visitors a constant priority.
Our Basic responsibilities in accomplishing this task are:
To inform employees about pesticide exposure through safety training, access to labels and MSDS, and information posted at our central location,
To protect against pesticide exposures with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and restricted entry intervals (REI), and
To provide decontamination sites and emergency assistance should the need arise.
The Central Location for HTRC is located in the main garage of building 407 B, beneath the stairs leading to the storage loft. Here you will find several items including:
- A map of the HTRC with two types of magnetic tags. Please refer to this map frequently, as changes often take place daily. 1) Red tags placed on the map indicate that pesticide spraying is in progress for that plot on the farm. Speak with the applicator before entering these areas. 2) Yellow tags placed on the map indicate that the plot has been recently sprayed. You should not enter these areas of the farm until the date and time displayed on the tag have expired, indicating that the Re-entry Interval has passed and it is now safe to enter.
- A log of treatments recently applied to specific areas of the farm
- MSDS information pertaining to pesticides used and stored at HTRC
- Emergency assistance information including phone numbers and maps to area hospitals and treatment facilities.
The Office of Radiation, Chemical, & Biological Safety (ORCBS) supports the mission and guiding principles of Michigan State University through leadership, guidance, education and partnership to promote and establish programs in health and safety, protection of the environment and regulatory compliance.
Click to go to The Office of Radiation, Chemical & Biological Safety (ORCBS) website
Emergency Information
Emergency Response Phone Numbers
- 911 Fire & Ambulance
- 355-2222 MSU Police Department
- 355-0153 Office of Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Safety
Medical Treatment Centers
Emergency Facility
Sparrow Hospital ER
1215 E. Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 483-2222
Use this facility for critical emergencies. Go directly to Emergency department for: severe burns, fractures, shock, seizure, shortness of breath, severe bleeding, chest pain, head injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and bloodborne pathogen exposures, chemical exposures, or smoke inhalation. Follow up visits must be scheduled at Olin Health Center.
Primary Medical Facility
Olin Health Center/MSU Student Health Services
463 East Circle Drive
General info: (517) 884-6546
24/7 nurse on call: 517-353-9165
Secondary Facility
Sparrow Urgent Care East Lansing
2682 E Grand River Ave.
East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 333-6562
- Use this facility when Olin Health Center is closed (except for bloodborne pathogen exposures and emergencies).
- Follow-up visits must be scheduled at Olin Health Center.
- Open Holidays
Mental Health Safety
Students (undergraduate and graduate)
MSU Counseling & Psychiatric Services, CAPS, is available for students seeking help for a wide range of concerns, including: depression, anxiety, stress management, homesickness, adjustment or acculturation, relationships, gender and sexual orientation (LBGTQ) issues, substance abuse, traumatic experiences, eating or body image concerns, and other personal mental health concerns. CAPS combines the services of the former MSU Counseling Center and former Olin Psychiatry Clinic under one roof to provide improved access for students. Additional services will be available in the Neighborhood Engagement Centers.
CAPS will continue to put students first, welcoming every student and taking into account all aspects of a student’s identity, such as race, ethnicity, culture, religion, language, gender, and sexual orientation. For more information, visit the CAPS website.
At-Risk Mental Health for Students (MSU, local community & national): https://resources.kognito.com/armhs/localResources/michiganstate/
Crisis Resources for MSU Students: https://caps.msu.edu/emergency/index.html
International Undergraduate and Graduate Students and International Visiting Scholars
The Office for International Students and Scholars provides information and advising on health & wellness in order to help you have a successful Spartan experience.
Faculty, Staff, Graduate Student Employees
The MSU Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential counseling service provided at no cost to MSU faculty, staff, retirees, graduate student employees, and their families. Some of the concerns we help with include: Work related stress, Personal stress, Anxiety, Depression, Shame, Alcohol and drug concerns, Relationship challenges, Family transition/conflict, Recovery from trauma, Grief and loss. For more information, visit the MSU EAP website.
At-Risk Mental Health for Faculty and Staff Members (MSU, local, regional & national): https://resources.kognito.com/arufuhe/localResources/MichiganState/
Faculty, staff, and graduate students may also have mental health coverage as part of their employee benefits.
Safety Equipment Information
First Aid Kits are located in the Hort Farm Garage (407B) near the sink and in the Pesticide Storage and Handling Building (407H) just inside the overhead door.
Spill Kits are located in the Hort Farm Garage (407B) near the chalkboard, At the Fuel Bay, and in the Pesticide Storage and Handling Building (407H) in the equipment storage area. It is important to provide containment to prevent spills from entering the farm's tile lines. Please familiarize yourself with the location and usage procedures for the spill kits.
Fire Extinguishers can be found in various places around the facility.
- 407A they are located in rooms 6, 13, and the tenant apartment.
- 407B fire extinguishers can be found near the chalkboard, in the mechanical room, and in the shop. There are also 2 spare fire extinguishers stored in the gray cabinet in the tool room.
- 407C is located on the wall just inside the center door.
- 407F is located in the Conference room.
- 407H, there are fire extinguishers in the bulk chemical storage room, as well as room 101, 104, and the Equipment Storage area.
- 407I (Greenhouses)
- Fuel Bay.
Eyewash stations and a Safety Shower are located inside the Pesticide Storage and Handling building (407H). There is an eyewash area attached to the sink in all the labs, and a separate eyewash station located in the equipment storage area. Also in the equipment storage area is one of our 2 safety showers. The other is located in the men's bathroom in building 407A.
Employee Training & Forms
The following is a list of safety forms commonly used by our facility and the university. Please click the appropriate link to access the forms for printing. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view most of them.
Supervisor should complete this form
Injured party takes this form when obtaining medical treatment
Send a copy to the Horticulture Main Office
Michigan State University
Department of Horticulture
A288 Plant & Soil Sciences Building
East Lansing MI 48824
This form must be completed before driving any university vehicle
It must be updated every July 1 in the Horticulture Main Office for driving privileges
Equipment Safety Training Checklist
Medical Questionnaire for Power Industrial Trucks and Tractors
Return this form directly to:
Occupational Health
347 Olin Health Center
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Performance Evaluation for Tractor Operators
This form only applies to tractors operated at the Horticulture Teaching and Research Center
Please speak with the appropriate manager or supervisor to receive training for tractor usage at other facilities
Employee Safety Training Checklist
IMPORTANT REQUIRED
This form must be completed within 30 days of hire and reviewed annually
Request for the Long-Term Lease or Ownership of a Univeristy Owned Vehicle
Report of Claimed Occupational Injury or Illness
This form must be completed and turned into the Horticulture Main Office within 24 hours after a work related injury or illness has occurred
This worksheet accompanies the MSU Right to Know video (1996) distributed by the Office of Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Safety
Turn form into the Horticulture Main Office
Michigan State University
Department of Horticulture
A288 Plant & Soil Sciences Building
East Lansing MI 48824
Worker Protection Standards Worksheet
This worksheet accompanies the Pesticide Safety: Worker Protection (1997) video, distributed by ORCBS that can be viewed at the Hort Farm or the Horticulture Department Greenhouses
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