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- Greenhouse Safety Orientation Course First of its Kind
At Michigan State University (MSU), training employees to work safely within its three acres of research greenhouses is of utmost importance to greenhouse manager Dave Freville and pesticide coordinator Kevin Kern.
As his master’s degree project, Kern developed a greenhouse orientation course that takes employees and researchers through all aspects of working in the greenhouse, from the proper use and handling of chemicals to monitoring possible pest and disease infestations. This course is the first of its kind for research greenhouses in the country.
More than 900 people are trained to work in the greenhouses, Freville says. The greenhouse orientation course that Kern developed covers greenhouse management and maintenance, pesticide use and safety, and research plant nutrition.
“Previously our only greenhouse training was a safety training module that wasn’t really formatted for workers,” Freville says. “We saw the need for a proper training course, and Kevin took it on as his master’s project. The course is a tool to train people and give them the eyes and ears to prevent major problems. With all the different sections within the greenhouses - some computerized, some still in hand-crank mode - getting correct information is absolutely crucial for the safety of everyone in the greenhouses.”
Though the course was developed for MSU greenhouse employees and researchers, it can easily be modified for any industrial or commercial greenhouse.
In 1986, all chemicals stored in the 172 research greenhouse sections at MSU were removed. Now all chemicals are stored in a single location under Kern’s supervision.
“Because most chemical contamination occurs from the waist down, everyone wears long pants and covered shoes and socks,” Kern says. “We also have a quarantine area for plants where they are checked for insects and disease. This way an entire section doesn’t become infected.”
Scouting practices have also decreased the need for pesticide use, thus reducing exposure to those working in the greenhouses.
Kern is planning to modify his greenhouse orientation course for use in the MSU teaching greenhouses. For more information on the MSU greenhouse orientation course, contact Freville at (517) 355-0297.
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