ORMC administration
The Office of Risk Management and Compliance administers the programme and provides directives, standards, forms and checklists for general laboratory safety.
Programme overview
A practical system for laboratory safety
NUS is committed to adopting laboratory best practices and making reasonable efforts to protect the safety and health of staff, students and visitors on campus.
People and access
Supervisors identify training and supervision needs, authorise access, induct new users and make arrangements appropriate to each person's work and experience.
Facilities and operations
Laboratories are designed, commissioned, operated, maintained and decommissioned with hazards, shared work, contractors and changes properly controlled.
Laboratory lifecycle
Use the right control at the right stage
Work through these stages when establishing, operating, changing or closing a laboratory. The activity-based risk assessment remains central throughout.
Plan and design
Identify the intended work and hazards early. Apply the Laboratory Design Standard and design checklist to new construction, additions and alterations.
Outcome: design requirements are addressed before fit-out.Assess the work
Break the work into activities, identify hazards and consequences, and establish controls using the activity-based risk-assessment process.
Outcome: risks and required controls are documented before work starts.Commission the space
Verify that the completed laboratory, its safety provisions and operating arrangements are ready for the proposed work.
Outcome: the laboratory is commissioned before research begins.Authorise and operate
Control access, induct new users, provide suitable supervision and training, manage contractors, and coordinate work in shared laboratories.
Outcome: users understand the hazards, controls and local arrangements.Manage change or relocation
When the project, equipment, process or location changes, return to Step 2 to reassess the work. For relocation, complete Step 3 for the destination laboratory before work resumes.
Outcome: changes are reassessed and the destination is ready for the proposed work.Decommission the laboratory
Before vacating, closing or handing over a laboratory, remove hazardous materials and complete the formal decommissioning process.
Outcome: the vacated space is confirmed free of hazardous materials and ready for handover.Before starting work in a new or relocated laboratory: the relevant Safety & Health Coordinator / Business Partner should commission the space before research work begins.
Programme library
Policies, directives, manuals and checklists
Items below retain the destinations published on the source page. SharePoint resources may require an NUS sign-in.
Policies, manuals and standards
PolicyUniversity General Safety and Health PolicyUniversity-wide safety and health expectations
RequirementEye and Face Protection in Laboratories and WorkshopsRequirements, selection and exemptions
ManualGeneral Laboratory Safety and Health ManualCore operational guidance
Training frameworkStructured Safety Training SystemFind safety training relevant to laboratory work and assigned roles
StandardLaboratory Design StandardRequirements for new and altered laboratories
ProcedureAppeal Procedures for ExemptionsAppeals against safety and health requirements
Safety directives
Directive 0701Access and Supervision of UndergraduatesProject or research work in laboratories
Directive 0702Authorised Access to LaboratoriesLaboratory access requirements
Directive 0704Work in Non-NUS OrganisationsFor NUS staff and students
Directive 0705Supervisory and Training ResponsibilitiesFor PIs, laboratory supervisors and new users
Forms and risk assessment
Laboratory checklists
ChecklistLaboratory CommissioningVerify readiness before work begins
ChecklistLaboratory DecommissioningClose out or relocate laboratory work
ChecklistContractor Risk ManagementPlan contractor work in laboratories
ChecklistLaboratory DesignSupport the design review process
ChecklistInduction for New Laboratory UsersStructure a local safety induction
ChecklistSelf-Help Safety and Health StartersPractical prompts for laboratory teams
Digital services
Tools for laboratory operations
Use the NUS services linked below for laboratory signs and safety-and-health management.
EHS360
Access the integrated information system used to manage campus safety and health.
Learn about and access EHS360 →Lab Sign Builder
Create a standard NUS laboratory sign for display at the laboratory entrance.
Common questions
Practical guidance for laboratory teams
Where can I find design requirements for new, added or altered laboratories?
Refer to the NUS Laboratory Design Standard for the applicable design requirements.
What should I do before engaging a contractor to work in a laboratory?
Refer to “Contractor Management” in section 8.12 of the General Laboratory Safety and Health Manual. It sets out roles and responsibilities, the briefing checklist and the documents required from contractors.
How should we manage shared laboratories and shared equipment?
Refer to “Safe Use of Shared Equipment” and “Safety Guidelines for Bench-Work in Shared Laboratories” in sections 8.7 and 8.8 of the General Laboratory Safety and Health Manual. They address risks arising from shared equipment and the hazards of different laboratory groups working in the same space.
What is required when relocating to another laboratory during renovation?
Decommission the vacated laboratory so it is free of hazardous materials, following “Laboratory Decommissioning” in section 8.11 of the General Laboratory Safety and Health Manual. The relevant Safety & Health Coordinator / Business Partner should commission the destination laboratory before research work begins.
Programme support
Contact ORMC
For enquiries about the General Laboratory Safety and Health Manual, contact Joel Swee. For enquiries about the Laboratory Design Standard, contact Danny Toh.