Office of Risk Management
and Compliance

Chemical Safety

Chemical Safety Programme

Protecting staff, students and visitors through safe chemical procurement, use, storage and disposal—and through consistent laboratory risk controls.

Control the full lifecyclePlan and authorise chemical work before it begins, then maintain the required controls through procurement, storage, use, emergency response and close-out.
Open the Chemical Safety ManualNUS requirements for chemical workCheck a regulated chemicalOpen the Online Regulated Material IdentifierProcure and store chemicalsUse LMPRS and LMMSChemical safety resourcesManuals, forms and reference tools

Chemical lifecycle pathway

Manage chemicals safely from planning to close-out

Apply these controls throughout the chemical lifecycle. The chemical, quantity, activity and exposure potential determine the specific requirements.

1

Plan, assess and authorise

  • Review the current safety data sheet, identify the hazards, and consider eliminating or substituting hazardous chemicals.
  • Check regulatory requirements through the Online Regulated Material Identifier (ORMI).
  • Conduct, document and obtain approval for the applicable risk assessment, including the SQRA where chemical-exposure assessment is required.
  • Confirm the required training, competency, medical examinations and respiratory protection.
2

Procure and authorise

  • Before ordering a regulated chemical, confirm that the required licences, permits and storage approvals are in place.
  • Use approved suppliers where required and purchase only the quantities needed.
  • Submit purchases through LMPRS.
3

Receive, store and register

  • On receipt, verify the label, container condition and availability of the safety data sheet.
  • Record and maintain the chemical inventory in LMMS.
  • Segregate incompatible chemicals and use suitable cabinets, approved storage locations and secondary containment.
4

Use, control and monitor

  • Before work starts, verify that the approved risk assessment is current and its controls are implemented. Review it when the chemicals, quantities, process, equipment or controls change.
  • Follow the Chemical Safety Manual, approved safe work procedures and applicable licence or permit conditions.
  • Apply the hierarchy of controls, including suitable containment, ventilation and personal protective equipment.
  • Maintain good housekeeping and secure unattended operations.
  • Submit an EHS360 Service Request when industrial hygiene advice or monitoring is required.
5

Respond, report and review

  • Maintain suitable spill-response materials, emergency equipment and response procedures.
  • Ensure users know when a spill may be safely contained and when to alert others and evacuate.
  • Report spills, exposures, near misses, incidents and control failures through the Accident and Incident Management System (AIMS).
  • Obtain medical attention following suspected exposure and review the risk assessment and controls after an incident.
6

Dispose and close out

  • Segregate, label and safely store chemical waste in compatible containers with suitable secondary containment.
  • Engage a collector licensed for the waste type and refer to the National Environment Agency's current guidance.
  • Dispose of expired, surplus and project-completion chemicals and reconcile the LMMS inventory.
  • Decontaminate equipment and work areas before servicing, transfer or laboratory closure.

SSTS Stage B

Chemical safety training

Complete the core course, then add task-specific courses identified through the risk assessment. Courses are available on Canvas for staff and students.

Chemical Safety

OSHCHM01
StaffStudentsCanvas
Refresher: Every 3 yearsWG HER approved
Core · Compulsory

For individuals performing activities involving hazardous chemicals. Personnel from approved member organisations are exempt under the recognised framework.

Semi-Quantitative Risk Assessment

OSHCHM04
StaffStudentsCanvas
Add-on · Recommended

For individuals appointed to conduct Semi-Quantitative Risk Assessment.

Effective from 1 June 2016

Chemical Spill Response

OSHCHM05
StaffStudentsCanvas
Add-on · Recommended

For individuals appointed to perform chemical spill response.

Effective from 1 June 2016

Chemical Spill Response (Hands-on)

StaffClassroom
Appointment-based · Recommended

Train-the-trainer course for Safety and Health Coordinators in departments with chemical laboratories. Complete OSHCHM05 first.

Tools and documents

Chemical safety resources

Resources are grouped by task so that users can move quickly from planning and procurement to specialist guidance. Some NUS resources require sign-in.

Core work tools

ManualChemical Safety Manual Regulatory databaseOnline Regulated Material Identifier Risk assessmentSemi-Quantitative Risk Assessment workbook

Procurement, inventory and occupational health

ProcurementLaboratory Materials Purchase Requisition System (LMPRS) InventoryLaboratory Materials Management System (LMMS) Occupational healthBook an Occupational Health Clinic appointment

Technical guidance and compatibility

Licensing guidanceExplosive precursor and hazardous-substance licence holder FAQ Reactivity referenceChemical Reactivity Worksheet Material referenceChemical material compatibility database Compatibility chartEPA Chemical Compatibility Chart

Topic guides and external materials

Quick guideSafe Handling of Cytotoxic and Other Hazardous Drugs Quick guideSafe Handling of Engineered Nanomaterials External materialCompressed Gas Safety Awareness

Common questions

Chemical safety FAQs

How do I know whether a chemical requires a licence or permit?
Sign in to ORMI and search by chemical name. It provides the applicable licence or permit requirements.
What if my SQRA indicates industrial hygiene monitoring?
Submit a Service Request for IH Monitoring via EHS360 if monitoring is required.
Who may collect laboratory chemical waste?
Select a licensed collector from the National Environment Agency’s current list of licensed toxic industrial waste collectors.

Need help?

Chemical safety contacts

Choose the contact responsible for your enquiry.

ORMC programme and monitoring support

For Chemical Safety Programme and industrial hygiene monitoring enquiries, contact ORMC at rmcsec@nus.edu.sg.

Email ORMC

Occupational Health Clinic

For statutory medical examinations and mask fit testing, contact the Occupational Health Clinic at OHClinic@nus.edu.sg or 6601 1781.

Email OH Clinic
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