Occupational Safety & Health Management Division

PROJECT RISK ASSESSMENT SUBMISSION

1. Introduction

All staff undertaking lab-based research projects are required to conduct a project risk assessment to identify the safety and health risks associated with the project. PIs are required to complete a project risk assessment (PRA) form, which would then be forwarded to OSHE for review and final approval by Institutional Laboratory Safety Committee (ILSC) or Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). IBC approves life science related research projects and ILSC approves non-life science related projects.

2. Submission of PRA

With effect from 17 December 2007, all submissions of PRAs must be done online through the Online Project Risk Assessment System (OPRAS)

Details on how to use Online Project Risk Assessment System (OPRAS) can be found here.

3. Key Considerations when doing PRA can be found here.

4. Revisions to PRA

In the course of conducting research projects in NUS, if there are significant changes in the protocol, practices, material, personnel or environment that would require additional risk controls, PIs should submit Project Risk Assessment (Revision form) to OSHE for review and approval.

To download Project Risk Assessment (Revision Form)

5. Doing Non-lab based research?

Lab based research projects are defined as those involving the use of chemicals, biological agents, radioactive materials/equipment, heavy machinery or high voltage equipment, etc. Projects/tasks that are purely deskbound, i.e. involving the use of computers need not undergo any risk assessment. We therefore require you to submit this declaration form if your research is not laboratory based.

Declaration Form for Non Laboratory Based Research

6. For PIs awarded certification to the Laboratory OHS certification scheme

Upon award of the certification, PIs need not submit individual project risk assessments for new grant-based projects. However, PIs must notify OSHE of new projects and submit the following form(s) to OSHE to apply for approval for the release of funds for the new projects:

Form (OSH/PI/F02.02) – Grant release form for Laboratory OSH Certification Scheme

Form (OSH/PI/F03.02) – This form is to be submitted in addition to the form (OSH/PI/F02.02) if the new project involves animal work.

7. Conducting sponsored field research, including projects potentially involving animals?

Many research projects involve off campus field activities which may present personnel with unique hazards not necessarily encountered when conducting laboratory based research, including exposure to wild animals.

In lieu of the laboratory-based risk assessment, this form must be completed for project risk assessments involving sponsored field research in order to address the safety considerations and emergency response preparations necessary during field research activities.

For general enquiries, please contact Sania at ext. 1084 (oshsn@nus.edu.sg)

Online Project Risk Assessment System (OPRAS)

For login from outside NUS, you need to login to NUS WEB VPN (https://webvpn.nus.edu.sg/dana-na/auth/url_default/welcome.cgi) in order to gain access to OPRAS.

2. Approval Process

3. OPRAS Resources

Roadshow On 21 November 2007:
http://www.nus.edu.sg/osh/announce/OPRAS/oprasroadshow.htm

Training Manuals:
https://wws.nus.edu.sg/osh/manuals/OSHE_User_Manual_PI.pdf

FAQs:
https://share.nus.edu.sg/osh/Lists/General%20Discussion/oprasfaq.aspx

Comments & Feedbacks:
https://share.nus.edu.sg/osh/Lists/oprasfeedback/NewForm.aspx

Request For Access by Departmental Administrators:
https://share.nus.edu.sg/osh/lists/oprasreg/newform.aspx

Key Considerations when doing PRA

3.1 PRA involving biological work

Flowchart of action required for risk assessments

Flowchart to determine biosafety levels

3.2 PRAs involving “BATA agents”

All Principal Investigators (PIs) performing genetic manipulation work or work involving agents regulated under the Biological Agents & Toxins Act (BATA) should provide documentation of the information as requested for in the following checklist. https://wws.nus.edu.sg/osh/nus_manuals/sop/RA_checklist.htm

3.3 Useful References

	Common reference sites for life sciences risk assessment reviews
	Register of Risk Assessments