Laboratories and Workshops

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 27 June 2026, unless you have been told otherwise. 

SUMMER Period 2026 (01.07-31.07): 
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 18 December 2026, unless you have been told otherwise.

Christmas holidays 2026 (23.12-03.01):
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

• HSE online course: NanoLearning
• HSE online course if you are not a student or employee

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

• Log in to BookitLab and select “Training” from the main menu.
• Search for the correct laboratory, for example: “Manulab – MTP – HSE Training”.
• Register for an available HSE safety walk session.
• Always check BookitLab for available sessions before contacting the person responsible for the room.

If you cannot find the correct laboratory or an available session in BookitLab, please contact the Room manager for the relevant lab.

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 losing access to the labs!

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

• Write one RA per laboratory
• Write the RA after instrument training; most required information is provided there.
• Fill in all the boxes in the form, they are all there for a reason. Leaving boxes blank = RA not approved. Ask for help if you are 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:

• 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.
• RA på norsk: Risikovurdering (konverter til PDF før innlevering).xlsx
• RA in English: Risk Assessment (convert to pdf before delivering).xlsx
• When finished, convert it to pdf, and sign.
• Check that all the text is readable in pdf! Expand boxes if necessary (In Excel: Review -> Unprotect sheet to get full editing rights).

Signing of documents:

• Follow the instructions for signing
• All lab access forms requiring signatures, including RA and extended access, must follow these instructions
• Instructions:
  • Manual på norsk
  • Manual in English
• 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. 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!

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.

1. How to apply:
1. PhD candidates and postdocs can apply for extended access via the risk assessment form, or they can use the form below.
2. Other applicants complete the form below together with their supervisor, convert the form to PDF, and sign it.
• Application form:  Extended Access Application 
3. Follow the instructions for signing

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.

1. To apply, send the signed application directly to the lab leader, Arve Skorstad. Follow the instructions for signing.

• 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.