The NUS Radiation Safety Programme provides a structured system to address the safe use, storage and disposal of irradiating equipment and chemicals in NUS. It aims to protect the safety and health of the staff, students and visitors in NUS.

Roles and Responsibilities

The NUS Radiation Safety Programme is a collaborative effort by the following offices/departments:

1. The Office of Safety, Health and Environment (OSHE) is the general administrator of this programme by providing policies, standards and guidelines.
2. The Institutional Laboratory Safety Committee (ILSC) served as an advisory to review standards and guidance documents.
3. The Occupational Health Clinic with its Senior Physician, Resident Physician and OH Nurse conducts medical examination and surveillance that are required for obtaining radiation licenses from regulators.

Please contact the following personnel pertaining to the NUS Radiation Safety Programme:

Radiation Hazards and Radiation Safety Manuals

All Principal Investigators (PIs) & supervisors have to conduct risk assessments, develop SOPs and establish roles and responsibilities for implementing safety and health control measures in their workplace. The University Radiation Safety manuals/requirements are as follows:

Radiation Licensing

1. Radiation User Licence (L5/L6/R1) Application Guide
2. Non-Ionizing Radiation Apparatus Licence (N2) Application Guide
3. Laser User Licence (N3) Application Guide
4. Step-by-step Guide for Renewal and Application of Radiation User Licences (L5/L6/N3/R1) in GoBusiness Licensing
   
5. Flow Chart to Apply for NEA N3 Licences Exemption for Use of Confocal Microscopes

Radiation Safety Forms

1. Occupational Health Services Authorisation Form
2. Radioactive Material Inventory form
3. Radioactive Material User Monthly Survey Form
4. Sealed Source Leak Test Report
5. Radioactive Sealed Source Safety Review Form

FAQs

Q1: Where can I apply for radiation user licences?
Ans: The application for radiation user licences is now done online via GoBusiness Licensing. Please refer to the following guides on how to apply for the respective user licences:

1. Guide for ionising radiation user licences (L5/L6/R1) application
2. Guide for laser user licence (N3) application

Q2: Where should I go for medical checkup for the application of radiation licences?
Ans: You may arrange to have your medical checkup at the Occupational and Diving Medicine Centre (Occupational Health Clinic) situated at the University Health Centre. You may contact the OH Clinic for any enquiries (OHClinic@nus.edu.sg / 6601 1781).

Q3:What type of ultrasound apparatus needs a licence from NEA?
Ans: Ultrasound apparatus with power output of 1200 W or more requires a N2 licence to keep or possess.

Q4: What type of laser requires a licence from NEA?
Ans: Under the Radiation Protection Act, licences is required for Class 3B or 4 lasers. N2 licence is required to keep or possess each Class 3B or 4 lasers, and N3 licence is required for each user to use Class 3B or 4 lasers. Please note that a person may be subjected to a written test to demonstrate his / her knowledge in laser safety before being issued the N3 user licence.

Q5: Is licence required for embedded laser systems containing Class 3B or 4 lasers?
Ans: Yes. N2 licence is required to keep or possess such embedded laser systems. N3 licence is required for users who may be exposed or will be exposed to the Class 3B or 4 lasers.

Q6: Are radiation licences (ie. L3, L5, R1) required for the possession and use of electron microscopes such as Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)?
Ans: TEM and SEM are exempted from the licensing requirement (ie. L3, L5, R1) only if both of the following conditions are satisfied:

1. The equipment is not primarily intended to produce ionising radiation, and
2. The equipment does not produce a radiation level of more than 5 µSv per hour at a distance of 5 centimetres from any accessible surface*

*The Declaration of Conformity to IEC 61010-1 and/or radiation test report from the equipment manufacturer is required