Read more about our research at Research at the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

General info – Opening hours

General opening hours*:               Monday-Friday                  08:00-16:00
                                                        Weekends:                          closed

*For access outside these hours, see section on “Extended access”.

Access to laboratories is normally given for one semester at the time. To renew your access for a new semester, only the last step in the process (step 5) needs to be repeated.

Spring semester:
Lab access will end by default on 20 June 2025, unless you have been told otherwise.

SUMMER Period 2025 (01.07-28.07): 
There will be reduced staffing in the laboratories and workshops during this period.
If you require lab access over the summer, please contact lab leader Arve Skorstad at arve.skorstad@ntnu.no.

Fall semester:
Lab access will end by default on 20 December 2025, unless you have been told otherwise.

Christmas holidays 2025 (20.12-02.01):
The labs and workshops will be closed during this period.
If you require lab access during this time, you might need to apply for a "working alone" permit. Contact lab leader Arve Skorstad at arve.skorstad@ntnu.no for more information. 

How to get access to labs and workshops

Step 1: Link your project to Bookitlab

• Create an account in BookitLab.
• Get the project number from your supervisor.
• Send your BookitLab account and project name/number to Hillgrun Aune (hillgrun.aune@ntnu.no) to link your project to your account.
  
  
  

Step 2: Complete HSE online course

• English
• Norwegian
• HSE online course if you are not a student or employee

Step 3: Attend a HSE safety walk for the lab(s) you want access to

Sign up by registering in a link below, or contact the room manager directly.

Step 4: Receive instrument training

Many machines and instruments require you to have training before you are allowed to use them independently. Contact the room manager to arrange a training session.

Step 5: Write a Risk Assessment (RA)

The RA is a formal agreement between you, as the lab user, and NTNU on your planned activities in the lab. That means:

If your plans change, you must update your RA and get it re-approved before you start any new activities (including machines/chemicals/etc).

• Doing unapproved activities, or using unapproved chemicals, might lead to you loosing access to the labs!

Tips before beginning to write, to make the process go as fast as possible:

• Write one RA per lab/room.
• Write the RA after instrument training; most required information is provided there.
• Fill inn all the boxes in the form, they are all there for a reason. Leaving boxes blank = RA not approved. Ask for help if unsure what to write.
• Questions? Ask your supervisor. If they can’t assist, reach out to the relevant room manager or chemical manager.
• See “Resources” section below for more tips, tricks, examples, and more detailed RA writing help. 

Writing the RA:

1. Download the RA template (Excel file), and fill it in.
   Write in Norwegian or in English, it’s up to you. Include all activities, machines, and chemicals that you plan to use.
2. 1. MAL - RisikoAnalyse Norsk versjon
   2. TEMPLATE - Risk Assessment English version
      
      
3. When finished, convert it to pdf, and sign.
   1. Check that all the text is readable in pdf! Expand boxes if necessary (In Excel: Review -> Unprotect sheet to get full editing rights).
      
      
4. Send the signed RA to your supervisor for revision and feedback.
   1. If they deem it acceptable, the supervisor signs and sends it to the room manager for review.
   2. Note: Please don’t put people on CC, or To, in emails before they have a task to perform. It does not speed up the process, and it just creates unnecessary emails.
      
      
5. The room manager reviews the RA only when it is received from the supervisor. If approved, they sign and forwards it to the lab leader. When he approves and signs, all parties will receive a signed copy.
   1. If at any point the RA is not approved, it will be returned with comments to the previous person in line.
      
      
6. Once your access is approved, you will receive an email confirmation. Your student or employee card will then allow you to enter the labs.

Step 6: Success!

Welcome into the labs –  you can now unleash your inner scientist and get started on your experiments. Good luck! 

And remember, we are many people sharing the same spaces, so work in a way that keeps both you and everyone around you safe and happy!

If your plans change during the semester, it's important that you update your RA before starting any new activities.

How to get extended access

Employees and students are generally not permitted to work in laboratories or workshops outside regular working hours for safety reasons. Exceptions can be made if you can refer to special needs.

How to apply:

1. You and your supervisor fill in the application form below. When done, convert to pdf and sign.
   • Application form:   Extended access application 
2. The supervisor sends it to the room manager of the lab you want extended access to.
3. The room manager reviews the form and, if approved, forwards it to the lab leader for final approval.
4. Once the lab leader approves, you will receive a confirmation email along with a signed copy of the form.
   
   
   

Other applications

Working alone
NTNU and the Faculty of Engineering has general guidelines about working alone. 
If the laboratories are closed, such as during holidays, you can apply for a 'working alone' permit if you can refer to special needs. Follow the instructions in the application form.

To apply, send the signed application directly to the lab leader, Arve Skorstad.

• Application form:   Working alone
• Søknadsskjema:      Jobbe alene

Resources

• Writing Risk Assessments:
  Tips and tricks can be found here, Short guide and Detailed guide. 
• Chemical information:
  Information about the chemicals available in our department, and their safety data sheets (SDS), can be found in the NTNU Chemical Index (Stoffkartoteket).
• Lab rules and routines:
  Document from the HSE safety tour, including how to use gloves correctly in the labs: Norwegian and English.
• Want to do experiments outside of our labs/workshops?  
  See information on Innsida on HMS ved feltarbeid.
  
  
• Pregnancy and lab work:
  

  Working in labs and workshops can involve specific hazards that may pose a risk during pregnancy.

  If you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant in the near future, please contact the HSE coordinator and/or chemical manager at MTP as early as possible. Together, we will assess your work situation and ensure that you can continue your activities safely. All such inquiries will be handled with strict confidentiality.

  
  Bedriftshelsetjenesten (BHT) at NTNU can also be contacted for additional support and guidance. 
  For more information, see: Arbeidstilsynet - Gravid og arbeidsmiljø.