World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea Promoting Safe Use of Nanotechnologies in Australian Workplaces: Nanotechnology OHS Research and Development Program Tom Fisher Group Manager

World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea OASCC Supports the Australian Safety & Compensation Council (ASCC): –National OHS policy –National standards and codes of practice –Emerging OHS issues e.g. nanotechnology OHS Coordinates Australian Government contributions to international activities to improve OHS and workers compensation: –United Nations, OECD, ILO, ISO and WHO

World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea Promoting the safe use of nanotechnologies Substantial research, growing commercialisation Developed country, but limit to resources available –need to work collaboratively with international partners –promote internationally consistent approaches Contribute through targeted research programs

World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea National Nanotechnology Strategy Australian Government funding Coordinated by Australian Office of Nanotechnology Aims to maximise benefit from nanotechnologies while addressing: –health, safety and environmental issues –ethical and societal issues

World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea Collaboration on Nanotechnology Government Non-government organisations Universities Businesses

World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea OHS R&D Program Aim: To examine and address OHS issues arising from use of engineered nanomaterials Reviewing Australia’s OHS regulatory framework Nanotechnology OHS research –collaborating in international research projects Evaluating and developing workplace controls OHS support for Australian nanotechnology businesses and research organisations

World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea Australian OHS Framework Robust and flexible OHS regulatory framework 95% of workplace chemicals imported, needs to be consistent with international approaches Requirements for chemicals based on UN, OECD, EU and US systems –Looking to implement GHS Nanomaterials are regulated as a subset of workplace chemicals OHS Regulations - obligations for manufacturers, suppliers, employers & employees

World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea Regulatory framework requires effective risk management Currently constrained by our limited understanding of: Hazardous properties of engineered nanomaterials Current levels of workplace exposures Effectiveness of workplace controls

World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea Projects to help hazard classification Review of international health hazard research - updating the 2006 report: – “A Review of the Potential Occupational Health & Safety Implications of Nanotechnology” Support for collaborative international toxicology research Participate in international forums considering classification issues

World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea Workplace exposure standards Chemical exposure standards generally based on current evidence of health effects Nanomaterial-specific exposure standards will need: –knowledge of likely health effects for specific nanomaterials –suitable instruments and procedures for measuring exposure to be widely available Current projects: –reviewing health effects of nanomaterials –feasibility study of group-based exposure standards for Australia –considering international approaches

World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea Accurate measurement required To measure workplace exposures and determine if controls are adequate, a number of issues need to be resolved: –measurement of 1-100nm particles is not straightforward –measurement instruments which identify particle types and sizes which are reliable, cheap and portable are required –developing reliable and reproducible measurement procedures

World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea Developing workplace exposure measurement capability Australian OHS Measurement Reference Group established –regulators, occupational hygienists, researchers –develop measurement advice, procedures, guidance Undertake field studies Collaboration with the National Measurement Institute Participate in international collaborations on measurement –OECD project: exposure measurement & exposure mitigation

World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea Effectively controlling exposures Significant existing knowledge about control of fine and ultrafine particles But, are conventional controls effective for the expanding range of nanomaterials? Projects –Currently reviewing available evidence on effectiveness –Plan Australian field studies to assess effectiveness of existing controls for nanotechnology Will inform: –workplace exposure standards –development of guidance material –future research priorities

World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea Support for safe use of nanotechnologies OASCC is providing evidence-based, practical risk management information –Nanotechnology OHS web pages with information on health and safety hazards & controls ( –Guidance materials development contributed to ISO Technical Report on Health and Safety Practices in Occupational Settings Relevant to Nanotechnologies assessing guidance developed by other OHS agencies

World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea A precautionary approach Australia is advocating a precautionary approach be taken to controlling exposures to engineered nanomaterials Until our understanding of risk improves, our advice to the Australian nanotechnology organisations is to: Use the best practicable means of preventing or minimising workplace exposures to engineered nanomaterials

World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea Summary Substantial research & growing commercialisation of nanotechnologies in Australia Responsible management of nanotechnologies reflected in objectives of National Nanotechnology Strategy Nanotechnology OHS R&D Program underway International collaboration essential for Australia

World Congress on Safety and Health at Work Korea Acknowledgments Images courtesy of: CSIRO, Kenelec Scientific Pty Ltd, DHHS, NanoSafe Australia Network, Ceramic Fuel Cells, Catapult Innovations, Invest Australia, ANU College of Science Enquiries Website: