The DMC Safety Webpage is designed to present users of the DMC with a summary of safety information specific to the Darling Marine Center and quick-references to commonly accessed SEM information. The Darling Marine Center is committed to providing a safe and healthful workplace and follows all University of Maine policies regarding safety. Most information regarding safety at the University of Maine can be found at the Department of Safety and Environmental Management (SEM) website.
The Darling Marine Center has three Facility Emergency Coordinators (FECs) who are responsible for safety and emergency response. These FECs also perform other duties as listed below:
- Kevin Eckelbarger, Ph.D. - DMC Director/ School of Marine Sciences Professor
- Timothy Miller - DMC Laboratory Manager
- Chris Rigaud - SEM Representative/ Diving Safety Officer
Call 911 (9-911 from campus phones) for local Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services. Detailed guidelines for emergencies are listed in the DMC Campus Wide Emergency Procedures (pdf).
Emergency Action Plans - A written emergency action plan (EAP) is required for each work area at the DMC. The EAP is comprised of the DMC Campus-Wide Emergency Procedures plus the details of the work area in question (i.e. hazards, map of the area, special procedures). Contact C. Rigaud for help in developing or updating your area-specific EAP.
Emergency Response and Contingency Plan - As per applicable local, state, and federal regulations, the DMC maintains an Emergency Response and Contingency Plan (ERCP) which describes the procedures for preventing, controlling, and responding to emergencies. This ERCP is available for review by contacting one of the listed Facility Emergency Coordinators.
A list of policies for specific activities can be found on the SEM website under “Policies”. If you are engaging in any activity at UMaine, there is likely a policy governing your actions and outlining the responsibilities of everyone involved. The following documents describe the administration of Safety Policies governing all UMaine departments and employees:
- Administrative Practice Letter #55 (pdf) - University of Maine System directive regarding Safety and Environmental Management
- Safety and Environmental Management Policy (pdf) - University of Maine Orono policy.
Additionally, it should be noted that the University of Maine now has a policy prohibiting the possession and/or use of fireworks on University property. This policy is also in effect for the Darling Marine Center grounds.
Most activities at UMAINE require documented safety training. All faculty, staff, students, and unsupervised visitors at the Darling Marine Center are required to have safety training; most training is required annually. Contact your supervisor, Tim Miller, or Chris Rigaud for questions regarding Safety Training.
- Basic Safety Training - required for all employees. Available online.
- DMC Orientation Training - All users of DMC. Contact DMC Laboratory Manager for information.
- Departmental-Specific Training (aka. ‘Work Area’, ‘Laboratory’ ,or ‘Chemical Hygiene Plan’ Training) - Your Department, Area, or Laboratory Supervisor is required to train you on the specific area in which you’ll be working. Training requirements vary depending on your job tasks. For a list of training topics go to the SEM Safety Training page.
- Bloodborne Pathogens Refresher - required to work with or clean up blood or other bodily fluids. Contact Chris Rigaud for initial training, refresher online.
- Chemical Spills - only trained personnel are allowed to clean up spills of hazardous chemicals. Consult your CHP, your supervisor, or Chris Rigaud for more information on chemical spill cleanup.
- Computer Workstation - required for anyone working on a computer for more than 4 hours/day. Available online.
- Fieldwork Safety - required for anyone performing work in the outdoor environment. Available online. See also UMAINE Fieldwork Safety Policy.
- Fire Extinguisher Annual Refresher - required to use portable fire extinguishers. Available online. Initial hands-on training also required. Contact Chris Rigaud.
- Hazard Communication (HAZ-COM) - required for any one who works with or near hazardous chemicals. Available online.
- Hazardous Waste/Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA) - required for anyone who generates chemical/ hazardous waste. Available online or in your laboratory CHP. The DMC also has a standard operating procedure (below) for the management of Trash/Hazardous Waste. Contact the DMC Hazardous Waste Manager, Chris Rigaud, prior to generating any Hazardous or Chemical Wastes.
Campus Wide Emergency Procedures (pdf) - describes basic procedures/guidelines for emergencies on campus at the DMC.
Chemical Hygiene Plan - Describes the basic practices for operating laboratories at the DMC. Each laboratory is required to have a written Chemical Hygiene Plan describing laboratory safety procedures. Permanent UMaine laboratories have their own specific CHPs. Visiting researchers should contact the Laboratory Manager for guidelines regarding DMC Laboratory Procedures.
Chemical Spills - Only trained personnel are allowed to clean up spills of hazardous chemicals. Contact your supervisor or Chris Rigaud for more information on chemical spill cleanup.
Emergency Evacuation Drills (pdf) - Describes the basic plan for conduct of Emergency Evacuation Drills at the DMC. Drills are conducted by Facility Emergency Coordinators on a regular basis. Notifications will be made prior to any emergency drill.
Fire Prevention Plan - Describes basic elements of fire prevention at UMaine. Each laboratory should incorporate the UMaine Fire Prevention Plan into the CHP along with any additional elements specific to the laboratory environment.
Fume Hoods (pdf) - Describes basic operating guidelines for laboratory fume hoods at DMC.
Shipping of Hazardous Materials - International law requires training prior to shipping hazardous materials in any quantity. Even seemingly ‘safe’ substances may be considered hazardous while in shipping. It is the responsibility of the person shipping the material (not the carrier/transporter) to obey all applicable laws and regulations. UMaine provides training and support for faculty, staff, and students who need to ship hazardous materials. Guidance is available for University visitors. Contact Chris Rigaud well in advance of shipping hazardous chemicals or other substances.
Shorefront Activity Guidelines (pdf) - Describes procedures for anyone accessing/utilizing the shore or waterways from DMC property. Users are required to be familiar with these guidelines. Persons engaged in non-recreational (i.e. research, education, work-related) boating activities should consult the UMaine Watercraft Operations Policy and/or the DMC Vessel Operations Coordinator for additional guidelines/ procedures.
Trash/ Hazardous Waste Procedure (pdf) - Describes procedures for all types of trash/waste disposal at the DMC. Contact Tim Miller or Chris Rigaud for questions regarding waste disposal.
Fireworks are not allowed on the DMC campus.