Presentation 5:

Steps to prevent worker exposure to

nanomaterials in the workplace

www.nanodiode.eu
Introduction

• Employers are responsible for the protection of

workers’ health and safety, working with worker
representatives in engaging employees
• Worker representatives and union representatives
have a role in enforcing EU occupational health and
safety legislation, including that related to chemicals
in the workplace – but do not have responsibility for
this, and are not meant to lead these processes
• Despite the existence of European and national
occupational safety and health legislation, practice in
the workplace does not always respect these
legal requirements
• Various tools exist to ensure worker health and safety
protection, some of which have been adapted for
nanomaterials

Image:
http://www.uco.edu/administration/safety-
transportation/ehs/workers-compensation.asp

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1. The worker safety representative

• European legislation on occupational health and

safety requires that workers or their
representatives be involved in company activities
relating to worker health and safety
• Worker health and safety is a national
responsibility so each country has their own way
of organising and naming “worker safety
representatives” (“safety reps”)
• Safety reps are usually identified (by employers,
by employees, by trade unions) as the employee
representative in charge of workplace health and
safety and working conditions – they are the 1st
person to talk to about nano in the workplace
• Challenge: more than 99% of companies in
Europe are SMEs and therefore do not likely Reference: ETUC Health, Safety and Risk Prevention
have a worker health and safety (http://www.etuc.org/sites/www.etuc.org/files/publication/
files/ces-brochure_safety_reps-uk.pdf)
representative Image:
http://www.skillsinnovationhub.co.za/Safety_Rep.html

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2a. Risk assessment – limits
relating to nanomaterials
… information is not easily or always available
“When undertaking a nanomaterial risk assessment in
their workplace, employers may therefore encounter
difficulties related to:
1. insufficient information on the hazardous properties of
nanomaterials;
2. no standardised methods and devices to measure
exposure levels and to identify nanomaterials and
emission sources;
3. limited information on effectiveness of risk reduction
measures (filters, gloves, etc.); and
4. lack of information on presence of nanomaterials, in
mixtures or articles (products) and down the user chain,
when nanomaterials, or products containing
Reference: EU OSHA E-facts 72: Tools for the
nanomaterials, are used or processed.” management of nanomaterials in the workplace and
prevention measures
(https://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/e-facts/e-
When in doubt, use the highest level fact-72-tools-for-the-management-of-nanomaterials-
in-the-workplace-and-prevention-measures)
of precaution to prevent exposure Image: http://www.ministryinsights.com/puzzle-
strengths-part-3-missing-puzzle-piece/

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 2b. Risk assessment nonetheless
– a 3-tiered approach
• Despite existing information gaps relating to
nanomaterials, it is very important that employers
undertake a risk assessment of nanomaterials as part
of their potential introduction into the workplace
• When measuring nanomaterials (type, concentration
levels) for risk assessments, employers need to
address not only engineered nanomaterials (process-
generated as well as fractions of nanomaterials in
conventional products)
• An upcoming OECD report suggests a 3-tiered
approach to measuring and assessing potential
exposure to airborne nanomaterials
• Risk assessment requires identifying the hazard of a
substance (tier 1 – gather information)

Reference and image: OECD Harmonised Tiered Approach to Measure and

Assess the Potential Exposure to Airborne Emissions of Engineered Nano-
Objects and their Agglomerates and Aggregates at Workplaces
http://www.oecd.org/officialdocuments/publicdisplaydocumentpdf/?cote=env
/jm/mono%282015%2919&doclanguage=en

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2b. Risk assessment nonetheless
– a 3-tiered approach
• Tier 1 information should
provide details on the
workplace, on the
nanomaterial

Reference and images:

http://www.industox.nl/Guidance%20on%20safe%20h
andling%20nanomats&products.pdf

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 2b. Risk assessment nonetheless
– a 3-tiered approach (cont/d)
• Second tier is to conduct a basic exposure or
release assessment - determine whether exposure
to nanomaterials can occur (using portable
nanomaterial characterisation instruments and
existing knowledge on the nanomaterial/s)
• Testing of background nanomaterial levels before
performing task using nanomaterials, and testing
during nanomaterial use
• If no important increase in nanomaterial levels
when using nanomaterials, then go to
documentation and archiving step
• If there is an increase and the source of the
increase is known, go to additional risk
management measures step
• If there is an increase and the source is not known,
go to next step
Reference and image: OECD Harmonised Tiered Approach to Measure and
Assess the Potential Exposure to Airborne Emissions of Engineered Nano-
Objects and their Agglomerates and Aggregates at Workplaces
http://www.oecd.org/officialdocuments/publicdisplaydocumentpdf/?cote=env
/jm/mono%282015%2919&doclanguage=en

Date, location
 2b. Risk assessment nonetheless
– a 3-tiered approach (cont/d)
• Third tier is to conduct a basic exposure or release
assessment - determine whether exposure to
nanomaterials can occur (using portable
nanomaterial characterisation instruments and
existing knowledge on the nanomaterial/s)
• Testing of background nanomaterial levels before
performing task using nanomaterials, and testing
during nanomaterial use
• If no important increase in nanomaterial levels
when using nanomaterials, then go to
documentation and archiving step
• If there is an increase and the source of the
increase is known, go to additional risk
management measures step
• If there is an increase and the source is not known,
go to next step
Reference and image: OECD Harmonised Tiered Approach to Measure and
Assess the Potential Exposure to Airborne Emissions of Engineered Nano-
Objects and their Agglomerates and Aggregates at Workplaces
http://www.oecd.org/officialdocuments/publicdisplaydocumentpdf/?cote=env
/jm/mono%282015%2919&doclanguage=en

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 Another example of nanomaterial
risk assessment procedure
• Announcement 527 sets out different
steps to take when assessing the risks
associated with any nanomaterial
• Key aspects for assessing nanomaterial:
• Workers in laboratory conditions?
• Nanomaterial in liquid or solid
matrix?
• Soluble nanomaterial?
• Nanoscale form detailed in SDS and
no World Health Organisation fibre
• Is the specific toxicity known?
• Is it a GBP nanomaterial?

Reference and image: http://www.baua.de/en/Topics-from-A-

to-Z/Hazardous-Substances/TRGS/pdf/Announcement-
527.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3
WHO fibre:
http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc53.htm#PartN
umber:1

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 3. Safety data sheets

• Potential sources of information: labels (pictograms), SDSs, European Commission

recommendations, occupational exposure limit values, and other sources such as scientific
literature, public databases, etc.
• If the employer does not know that nano is present in the workplace, or has not (yet) done
a risk assessment for the nanomaterial(s) used, the safety data sheet (SDS) is the best
starting point for information
• SDSs may contain important worker health and safety information :
• Hazards identification
• Composition / information on ingredients (including safety information on surface
chemistry” to be indicated if the substance or mixture has certain dimensions in the
nano range)
• Handling and storage
• Exposure controls and personal protection
• Basic physical and chemical properties (certain “appearance” properties need to be
described for nanomaterials – size, size distribution, shape, surface area (m2/mass),
surface charge and crystalline phase). It can be indicated here if the substance is
supplied as nanomaterial, e.g. physical state: solid (nanomaterial).
• Toxicological information
Reference: ECHA guidance on
• Disposal information compilation of safety data sheets
• Transport information (http://echa.europa.eu/documents/
10162/13643/sds_en.pdf)
• Other information (for nanomaterials, this involves safety information on redox Image:
potential, radical formation potential and photocatalytic properties) http://www.exponent.com/product_
stewardship_eco/

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 4. Risk management measures

• After the elements of the risk

assessment have been taken (hazard
and exposure assessment), next
comes risk management
• EU legislation provides general
principles for preventing risks
associated with hazardous chemicals*
• When nanomaterials cannot be
eliminated from the workplace or
substituted with less hazardous
chemicals or ones that are not
dangerous, some risk prevention and
protection measures need to be
assessed and put in place

Reference and image: OECD Harmonised Tiered Approach to Measure and

Assess the Potential Exposure to Airborne Emissions of Engineered Nano-
Objects and their Agglomerates and Aggregates at Workplaces
http://www.oecd.org/officialdocuments/publicdisplaydocumentpdf/?cote=env/jm
/mono%282015%2919&doclanguage=en
* Directive 89/391/EEC and Directive 98/24/EC

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4. Risk management
measures … in brief detail

• Hierarchy of risk management measures: from

elimination (of a hazardous substance) to its
substitution to personal protective equipment (last)
• Due to continuing data gaps, hazard classifications
of all nanomaterials are not available – the risk
assessment should provide a classification for the
nanomaterial/s used in the workplace according to
the nanomaterial itself, transferring knowledge
about similar substances and characteristics (e.g.
dustiness), and worker exposure assessment

References:
http://www.industox.nl/Guidance%20on%20safe%20handling%20nanomats&products.pdf
US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health and National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Training Workers on Risks of Nanotechnology
Image: https://envirofluid.com/info-library/chemical-hierarchy-of-actions

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4. Some examples of risk
management measures

• The US Occupational Safety and

Health Administration funded work
on a series of presentations on
nanomaterials in the workplace
• Here are a number of images they
include in the presentation on
Controlling Exposures to
Nanomaterials (most of which
laboratory-based)

Reference:
https://nanohub.org/groups/gng/training_materials

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Carbon nanotubes are produced in
these enclosed furnaces

Reference: Module 4: Controlling Exposure to

Nanomaterials
https://nanohub.org/groups/gng/training_materials

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Broader view of manufacturing
containment

Reference: Module 4: Controlling Exposure to

Nanomaterials
https://nanohub.org/groups/gng/training_materials

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4-15
Research containment

Reference: Module 4: Controlling Exposure to

Nanomaterials
https://nanohub.org/groups/gng/training_materials

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Use of gloveboxes for containment

Air sample

Reference: Module 4: Controlling Exposure to

Nanomaterials
https://nanohub.org/groups/gng/training_materials

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4-17
Gloveboxes inside a “Nanoparticle
Containment Room”

Reference: Module 4: Controlling Exposure to

Nanomaterials
https://nanohub.org/groups/gng/training_materials

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4-18
Work practices and PPE still needed
when enclosures are opened

Harvesting SWCNTs from a Reference: Module 4: Controlling Exposure to

Nanomaterials
Carbon Arc Reactor https://nanohub.org/groups/gng/training_materials

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4-19
Local exhaust ventilation (LEV)
controls more hazardous exposures

Reference: Module 4: Controlling Exposure to

Nanomaterials
https://nanohub.org/groups/gng/training_materials

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20
Personal Protective Equipment
Overview

• Body
• Hand
• Eye
• Foot
• Respiratory

Level A Level B Level C Level D

Reference: Module 4: Controlling Exposure to

Nanomaterials
https://nanohub.org/groups/gng/training_materials

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Tyvec is the most widely used body
covering for nano operations

Reference: Module 4: Controlling Exposure to

Nanomaterials
https://nanohub.org/groups/gng/training_materials

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Hand protection when working with
nanoparticles

• Gloves should be worn when handling

nanomaterials (dry or wet)
• Glove material thickness is a major
determinant of the protection provided
• Need also to consider what other
substances (e.g. solvents) may be present
within the workplace environment
• Two layers of gloves is recommended
when handling high concern
nanomaterials

References:
NIOSH Nanomaterial Production and Downstream Handling
Processes http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2014-102/
EU DG Employment Guidance on the protection of the health and
safety of workers from the potential risks related to nanomaterials at
work - Guidance for employers and health and safety practitioners
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=716&langId=en&moreDoc
uments=yes

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Eye protection is also recommended

• Use of eye protection is

recommended
• As a minimum, close fitting safety
glasses should be used for all
nanomaterials

References:
EU DG Employment Guidance on the protection of the health and
safety of workers from the potential risks related to nanomaterials at
work - Guidance for employers and health and safety practitioners
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=716&langId=en&moreDoc
uments=yes

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Use of respirators

• Respiratory protective equipment should

only be used when all other reasonably
practicable (collective) measures have
been taken but have not achieved an
adequate level of control
• If used with other measures (as a
secondary precaution), disposable and
half-masks should have an appropriate
assigned protection factor (APF)
• For tasks requiring masks to be worn a
longer time, use of powered air flow
designs should be considered
• All workers required to wear respiratory
protective equipment should undergo face-
References:
piece fit testing and training to ensure EU DG Employment Guidance on the protection of the health and
correct fitting and proper use safety of workers from the potential risks related to nanomaterials at
work - Guidance for employers and health and safety practitioners
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=716&langId=en&moreDoc
uments=yes

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 Other key elements

• This checklist was written for workplace activities with

carcinogenic substances, which are applicable to nanomaterials
 Was a substitution test carried out? Is the result described in the risk
assessment documentation?
 Has the use of a closed system been tested? Is the result described in
the risk assessment documentation?
 Is the selection of technical protection measures in the risk
assessment documentation?
 What was the level of exposure determined? With what result?
 Are ventilation system use requirements described in the risk
assessment documentation?
 Has an action plan been drawn up to reduce stress? Is the plan
implemented?
 Is there a list of potentially exposed workers? Are intensity, duration
and frequency of stress documented? Is the long-term retention of
the directory ensured?
 Are employees trained regularly with the operating instructions? Will
they be informed of the extent of the cancer risk? Will they be informed
of their right to information on occupational health checks? Reference:
 Is employee occupational health screening offered? http://arbeitundgesundheit.de/archiv/pdf/201
3/2013_krebserkrankungen.pdf

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 Key points to retain

• Employers are responsible for the protection of worker

health and safety
• Workers are legally entitled to be informed of an
involved in company decision-making that relates to
worker health and safety
• There are a number of elements relating to risk
management (risk assessment steps, risk management
steps, and risk communication with workers)
• Measurements of chemicals in the workplace are legally
required to be taken, and it is possible to measure
nanomaterial concentrations in the air
• So…
• Have these been respected in your company?
• Ensure that nanomaterials are included in
your company’s risk assessment activities
• If no nanomaterial risk assessment has been Reference:
http://arbeitundgesundheit.de/archiv/pdf/201
done, then contact the labour inspectorate 3/2013_krebserkrankungen.pdf
Image: http://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-
free-vector/todo-list-vector-543018

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