NTU Safety & Health Management System (SHMS) Standard for Schools, Departments and Centres 

The NTU Safety & Health Management System (SHMS) Standard establishes the requirements for Schools, Departments and Centres (S/D/Cs) to set up, implement and maintain an effective safety and health management system. It provides a structured framework to help S/D/Cs manage workplace safety and health risks, comply with NTU and regulatory requirements, and continuously improve their safety performance.

By adopting this standard, Deans, Chairs, Heads and Directors can demonstrate leadership and accountability in protecting staff, students, contractors, collaborators and others under their care. The standard also supports NTU’s broader objective of achieving “Zero preventable injury on campus” through consistent safety practices, risk management, training, engagement and review across the university.

Goals & Objectives 

1. S&H Objectives or Initiatives

S/D/Cs shall adopt and implement the NTU S&H objective for each year.

  • Objectives to be related to enhancing safety and health standards and performance of the S/D/C.
  • Monitor the progress of the implementation of NTU and their own S&H objectives.

Structure 

2. Management Commitment

Top Management shall demonstrate leadership in ensuring the effective implementation of SHMS by being involved in the following aspects

  • Participates in relevant S&H discussion/ meetings (conduct S&H moment, etc.).
  • Participates in S&H inspection.
  • Signs off relevant internal S&H communications (circulars, announcements) to staff and students.
  • Regularly engages the S&H committee.

3. S&H Committee

S/D/C with more than 30 staff should establish a S&H committee. S/D/C with less than 30 staff can use departmental or management meetings to discuss S&H issues.

  • S/D/C S&H committee should review their previous S&H performance & identify opportunities for safety improvement.

Programmes

4. Legal Compliance

S/D/Cs shall ensure that all activities comply with NTU and regulatory requirements, as well as any other requirements they are required to adhere to.

  • Maintain a list of applicable legal & NTU requirements for their activities.
  • Valid licenses and/or certification for use of hazardous materials or statutory equipment.

5. Risk Assessment 

S/D/Cs shall ensure all their work activities/ processes/ operations are subjected to a risk assessment (RA) prior to the start of these activities.

  • RA are subjected to necessary review to ensure they are valid.
  • RA are effectively communicated to all relevant stakeholders.
  • Risk controls are implemented according to what was stipulated in the Risk Assessment.

6. S&H Training

S/D/Cs shall identify and document the training needs for their staff and students (this can be demonstrated via a Training Matrix).

  • Complete the required S&H training.

7. S&H Engagement

S/D/Cs should ensure there are different platforms to engage and promote S&H to their staff and students. This can be done through platforms such as emails, events, roadshows, training, notice board, intranet, etc.

8. Contractor S&H Management

S/D/Cs to ensure proper management of contractors, vendors or tenants operating in NTU premises comply with NTU and legal requirements. 

9. Emergency Preparedness 

S/D/C shall ensure that ERPs are in place.

  • ERP is communicated to relevant staff and students.
  • Participate in the yearly fire drill or table-top exercise.
  • Reviewed yearly or when necessary.

Monitoring

10. S&H Inspections, Internal Audit & Management Review

S/D/C shall do periodic inspections, internal audit and management review of their S&H system.

  • Ensure the findings are addressed adequately and in timely manner.

The Safety & Health Management System (SHMS) standard is used for assessing schools, departments and centres participating in the yearly NTU Safety & Health Award Scheme.

More information about the NTU Safety & Health Award Scheme can be found here.

For more information about the NTU Safety & Health Management System (SHMS) standard, kindly contact the following OHS staff:
         Edward Pariwono ([email protected])