Department Safety and Health Programme
Welcome by Safety Chairperson
Associate Professor Kevin SW Tan
Head of Department
Welcome to the Department of Microbiology and Immunology's Safety Portal. As a Department conducting research on infectious microbes, we are cognizant of the importance safety plays at our workplace. Besides laboratory research, safety is also relevant to teaching and administrative support. Whether we work in a safe environment depends on everyone playing their part. In order to instil a culture of safety, we have implemented a robust occupational, safety and health programme to increase awareness of safety and to ensure compliance to safety regulations. We have assembled a cohesive and committed Safety Committee to oversee fire, biological, chemical, general safety as well as health and wellness. Safety-related activities throughout the year include safety audits, inspections, training workshops and participation in safety awards. This ensures that as our Department strives for excellence in research, teaching and service, we pursue these aims in a safe and healthy environment.
Welcome by Safety Coordinator
Associate Professor Juan Pablo Bifani
Safety plays a major, albeit unseen role in University life. Only when there is a lapse, and a horrific accident occurs, do we appreciate the importance of safety at our workplace. Our mission is to create a culture of safety such that these incidents are prevented from occurring, while providing a safe and healthy environment for all to work in. As Safety Coordinator, I am proud and honoured to be working alongside members of the Safety Committee who are deeply committed in ensuring a safe and healthy workplace for our staff and students. Our Department is ably supported by Safety Committees at the Deanery and University (ORMC) levels. This website serves as our Department's Safety Portal. It provides information and links on fire, biological, chemical and general safety, including NUS Policies on various safety aspects. There are also training videos and training matrix as a guide for new staff and students. I hope you will find this website useful. Remember, safety doesn't happen by accident!
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the National University of Singapore conducts teaching and research on microbiology-related topics. Safety is therefore paramount in our day-to-day activities. In line with Singapore’s Workplace Safety and Health Act, the Department is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all staff and students.
This commitment will be championed by the Department Safety and Health Chairperson/Head of Department and members of the Department Safety and Health Committee.
Authorised and reviewed annually by:
Associate Professor Kevin SW Tan
Head of Department
Safety Chairperson
Associate Professor Juan Pablo Bifani
Safety Coordinator
Ms. Fatimah Bte Mustafa
Deputy Safety Coordinator
Our Vision
To be a leading teaching and research department that provides a safe, healthy, and wellness-centred environment for all. This means that we will:
- Provide a safe and healthy, and wellness-centred workplace and working conditions for all, including staff, students, contractors and visitors
- Facilitate training to enable all staff and students to work safely
- Comply with all relevant legislation and industry standards
- Provide adequate resources to aid staff and students in fulfilling their responsibilities
- Conduct timely investigations into all reported incidents/accidents
- Conduct regular reviews and evaluations of the Safety and Health Management System in place
- Provide a department post pandemic (COVID-19) awareness programme
Our Mission
To establish a culture of safety, health and wellness, that supports and promotes excellent teaching and research.
We will achieve this through effective safety teams and Principal Investigators as safety role models, understanding policies governing safety and through team activities (such as application for safety awards and implementation of innovative safety strategies). We will also implement safety systems in relation to the risks and hazards associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our expectations of our staff and students, irrespective of their positions, are that they
- Take reasonable care to ensure good health and safety procedures are implemented at all times
- Are knowledgeable of the Standard Operating Procedures and Risk Assessments relevant to their work
- Identify and support (i) Health and Wellness Initiatives (ii) Measures to eliminate or minimise unsafe conditions
- Assume personal responsibility for their safety and for their colleagues by always operating in a safe and appropriate manner
Comprises various microbiology-related organisms or cells that spell "SAFETY"
For any safety enquiries or feedback, do drop us an email at micsafety@nus.edu.sg.