Our Commitment to Safety

The Department of AFNS strives to maintain a safe environment and to encourage safe practices through a Safety Program. It is also the responsibility of the supervisors, individuals and 'work groups' to be familiar with different aspects of safety and to employ that knowledge every day. The AFNS Safety Handbook outlines regulations, training requirements, general safety procedures, laboratory chemical safety and biosafety that must be followed by all staff conducting laboratory research in the Department (Ag/Forestry Bldg, North Campus). However, these infor­mation sources can only supplement the necessary job-related training arranged by supervisors, i.e. task- and site-specific safety information, and any other required training. For additional safety information, researchers can refer to http://www.ehs.ualberta.ca/Training.aspx.  If you have questions or concerns, you are encouraged to consult with your supervisor or other staff, and to check safety literature.

Emergency Numbers, Contacts and Location of Resources

Medical Emergency / Ambulance: 911

Smoke or Fire: 911

Police: 911

Protective Services (for suspicious person / unusual activity): 780-492-5050

Building Emergency (water, flood, power outage or heat emergency): 780-492-4833

Contacts in AFNS

• Dr. Urmila Basu, ALES Research Labs Manager, 780-492-8712, For inquiries related to all core labs/facilities, genomics technologies, and safety
• Dr. Kelvin Lien, Occupational Health and Safety Advisor, 780-289-1552, For Chemical and lab safety information
• Heather Vandertol-Vanier, Biosafety Technologist, 780-492-7659, For Biosafety informatio

Please e-mail comments on safety matters or the safety web pages to

Dr. Urmila Basu 
Faculty Service Officer
ALES Research Labs Manager
Phone: 780-492-8712;
Fax: 780-492-4265
Email: ubasu@ualberta.ca