Field research teams
Staff and students should complete the required planning, training and medical preparation before fieldwork begins.
Programme overview
Prepare before leaving campus
ORMC manages the NUS Field Research Safety Programme. The programme sets out best practices and brings together the approvals, training, medical preparation and emergency planning needed for work away from campus.
Principal Investigators and departments
Review risk assessments and SOPs, confirm appropriate approvals, and provide oversight for the planned activity.
Research diving
Departments appoint a Diving Officer and maintain a diving operations manual. PIs ensure diving protocols are reviewed and approved by the appointed Diving Officer.
Fieldwork planning
Seven essential steps
Use these steps as a planning sequence. The exact approvals, permits, medical controls and emergency arrangements depend on the activity and destination.
Review the guidelines
Refer to the NUS Safety & Health Guidelines for Field Trips and the applicable diving requirements.
Review training needs
OSHGEN08 is recommended for field researchers. Complete any additional training required by the activity risk assessment.
Assess and document risks
Prepare the risk assessment and necessary SOPs, then submit them for approval where applicable.
Prepare medically
Arrange required vaccinations, occupational-health assessments or medical consultations before travel.
Secure permissions
Obtain permits and approvals for premises access, sample collection, import or export, and protected species.
Plan emergencies
Develop location-specific emergency-response and incident-management arrangements.
Report promptly
Report any accident or incident to ORMC through AIMS within 24 hours.
Plan to the location: consider communication reliability, transport, medical access, weather, infectious-disease alerts, wildlife, political conditions and the nearest Singapore mission.
Training
Prepare for field research
OSHGEN08 is recommended for staff and students conducting field research. Supervisors and PIs should identify any additional training required by the activity risk assessment.
Field Research Safety
OSHGEN08For staff and students involved in field research activities. Field Research Leads are highly encouraged to complete this course. The programme covers the planning and controls needed for safer fieldwork.
Effective from 28 April 2017Occupational First Aid
Fieldwork risk assessments should determine whether trained first-aid personnel are required, taking account of the location, activity, group size and access to emergency medical assistance.
Additional training
Use the activity risk assessment to identify other competency needs, including training for specific hazards, tasks, equipment and emergency roles.
Documents, forms and trusted links
Field research and diving resource library
Find programme requirements, fieldwork and diving forms, travel advice, and overseas medical-benefit guidance. NUS SharePoint files may require sign-in.
Begin with the programme requirements
Review the applicable manual or directive and complete the project risk assessment before selecting the forms and travel resources needed for your activity.
Programme requirements and approvals Core guidance, research-diving directive and project submission3 resources
Field researchNUS Safety & Health Guidelines for Field TripsCore planning and control guidance for field activities.Open guideline ↗
Research divingNUS Safety Directive: Requirements for Conducting Research DivingAdopts SS 623 and defines department and PI responsibilities.Open directive ↗
SubmissionProject Risk AssessmentSubmit the project risk assessment through Cayuse Research Suite.Open Cayuse ↗
Field research forms Pre-departure and participant acknowledgement2 forms
Research diving forms Project registration, assessment, competency, logs and health records8 forms
RegistrationNUS Dive Project Registration FormOpen form ↗
Risk assessmentNUS Dive Risk Assessment FormOpen form ↗
SupervisionNUS Dive Supervisor ChecklistOpen checklist ↗
RecordDive LogOpen log ↗
CompetencyNUS Research Diving Competency CertificateOpen certificate ↗
IncidentDive Incident Report FormOpen form ↗
WaiverNUS Research Diving Release and Waiver FormOpen form ↗
MedicalStatement of Health for NUS Marine DivingOpen form ↗
Research diving activities must comply with the NUS directive and the department's approved diving arrangements.
Travel health, security and medical coverage International advisories, assistance tools and NUS benefit guidance9 links
HealthWHO Travel AdviceInternational travel and health information.Visit WHO ↗
Disease alertsProMEDInternational Society for Infectious Diseases alerts.Visit ProMED ↗
Health noticesCDC Travel Health NoticesCurrent notices for international travellers.Visit CDC ↗
Singapore MFARegister Overseas TravelUse MFA eRegister before travelling.Open eRegister ↗
Travel supportInternational SOS Assistance AppNUS guide to downloading, registering and using the app for travel alerts and overseas assistance.Open NUS guide ↗
Singapore MFAFind a Singapore Overseas MissionLocate the nearest embassy, high commission or mission.Find a mission ↗
WeatherWorld Weather Information ServiceOfficial forecasts from national meteorological services.Visit WMO ↗
NUS OHROverseas Medical Benefit GuideRefer to OHR for coverage details.Open guide ↗
NUS UHCStudent InsuranceStudent medical insurance, policy details, claims information and access to student travel-insurance matters.View insurance information ↗
Field environment and external guidance Wildlife advice and further field-research references3 links
Frequently asked questions
Permits and overseas coverage
Current official destinations replace the retired NParks URLs on the original page.
Where can I check requirements for importing plants or plant products?
Use NParks' current plant health import requirements. Requirements vary by material and origin.
Where do I find CITES information and permits?
Read the NParks/AVS CITES guidance, then use the GoBusiness Licensing Portal for the relevant licence application. Allow adequate lead time before shipment.
Will I be covered by insurance when travelling overseas?
Refer to the NUS OHR Overseas Medical Benefit Guide. Contact OHR for case-specific details.
Programme contacts
Get the right support
Field research, research diving and occupational-health contacts are consolidated here so you can reach the appropriate team directly.
ORMC programme support
For field research and research-diving programme enquiries, project safety approvals, and accident or incident reporting guidance.
Dr Lim Cheh PengSenior Associate Director, ORMCOccupational Health Clinic
For medical questionnaires, examinations, consultations, vaccinations, and follow-up for work-related injuries or diseases.
General enquiriesOHClinic@nus.edu.sg · 6601 1781