Information gathering

Transcription

1 Photo: drops on nanostructured surface, FOX / Uwe Völkner Occupational safety and health in practice - Example new technologies: nanomaterials Dr. Miriam Baron, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and health (BAuA) Presentation No 3 This project has received funding from the European Union s Seventh Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement No

2 Overview The complex world of nanomaterials Challenge for occupational safety Hazard Potential Information gathering Derivation of control strategies and safe design of workplaces Exposure assessment Risk assessment Toxicology 2

3 Risk assessment Hazardous substances Since 1989 demanded by the Council Directive 89/391/EEC European regulation National regulations Implemented for instance in Germany in: The Law on the performance of occupational safety and health measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work since 1996 The hazardous substances ordinance since 2005 Several issues put further in concrete terms in: TRGS (German technical rule for hazardous substances) : Risk assessment for activities involving hazardous substances (400), skin contact (401), inhalation exposure (402) TRGS 800: Fire protection measures 3

4 Different risk assessments for OSH strategy and scientific research Safety strategy Scientific in company risk assessment Who makes it? Result Basis Management and Safety expert Strategies for safe working practices Easily available or present data Scientist Risk statements for handling scenarios Available, evaluated data 4

5 Derivation of risk-based safety strategies Hazard potential of the substance (Classification: R-phrases, threshold values or other assessment criteria) x Exposure: Refers to activity (inhalative, dermal, measurement or calculation) Risk: Risk of safety and health Requirement of safety measures Safety strategy: OSH basics, technical measures, closed system 5

6 Easily available information General: MSDS (material safety data sheet) TRGS documents (technical rules for hazardous substances) Information on packaging, operating instructions Standardised working procedures EMKG with control guidance sheets Classification and labeling inventory nanospecific support: guidance and training materials, Announcement 527 6

7 Guidance sheets: BAuA-VCI-Leitfaden First version 2007: Guidance for Handling and Use of Nanomaterials at the Workplace Adaption to the evolving scientific knowledge, specification New version 2012: Recommendation for the risk assessment for handling nanomaterials at workplace (only in German) Reference: BAuA-VCI-Leitfaden,

8 Further guidance sheets for instance for CNTs For instance from Sweden or Australia specifically for CNTs Reference: Arbetsmiljöverket Reference: safeworkaustralia.gov.au 8

9 Further guidance sheets... for instance for laboratories For instance from the USA or Germany for activities in laboratories And many more!... Reference: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Reference: Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung (DGUV) 9

10 Only OSH basics, no dust safety strategies Dust safety strategies SLF 100 SLF 110 SLF 120 SLF pc-170 SLF 215 SLF 240 SLF pc-270 SLF pc-271 SLF pc-280 SLF 300 SLF 301 General ventilation Organisation and hygiene measures Inhalation Skin Protection - Basic Safety Precautions General fire protection measures in case of usual fire risk Mixing solids with other solids or liquids Dust workplaces Extended fire protection measures - Basic requirements (draft) Extended fire protection measures - Painting work (draft) Explosion prevention (draft) Closed system Glove box Strict safety measures comparable to asbestos and ceramic fibres closed system but: some of them so far only in German 10

11 Does the MSDS refer to the nanoscaled substance? Chemically identical, but: The nanoscaled and the macroscaled form can differ morphologically and toxicologically Example carbon: graphite, diamond, carbon fibres, carbon nanotubes, graphene Unknown hazardous properties: The problem is passed along the supply chain Recommended: ask manufacturer about unknown properties Carbon form: Graphite pencil lead 11

12 Conclusions As always and for every chemical there will be open questions left Like for many other chemicals, we still find knowledge gaps regarding the health risks. We want to recognize the risks at an early stage. Many questions already answered Scientific knowledge on fine- and ultrafine dusts, fibres and chemical substances is a good starting point. Risk assessment strategies can be developed Nanomaterials can have different hazardous potentials (effect and release potential) Nanoscaled cannot be equated with hazardous. It is the respirable (nano-)dust that matters most! For occupational safety, the precautionary approach and the classical dust safety strategies are a good basis. 12

13 Thank you for your attention! 13