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The Federal Government has an interagency, coordinated plan for identifying and prioritizing research needs and implementing a research strategy. The resources below include several documents detailing the research plan.
Employees who use nanomaterials in research or production processes may be exposed to nanoparticles through inhalation, dermal contact, or ingestion, depending upon how employees use and handle them. Although the potential health effects of such exposure are not fully understood at this time, scientific studies indicate that at least some of these materials are biologically active, may readily penetrate intact human skin, and have produced toxicologic reactions in the lungs of exposed experimental animals.
A variety of companies are researching and developing nanotechnology. Although there are nanomaterials in a few products used in the construction industry, most of these activities fall under OSHA general industry standards. This page highlights some of the applicable general industry OSHA standards.
In follow-up to the tragedy that struck West, Texas, in April, 2013, President Obama signed Executive Order 13650, Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security, which established a working group of federal agencies.
These standards are NOT OSHA regulations. However, they do provide guidance from their originating organizations related to worker protection. In some cases, they may be mandated by State or local governments, or individual companies.
National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA)
OSHA has begun the rulemaking process to develop a combustible dust standard for general industry. Activities related to this process are below.
The following directive outlines Federal OSHA’s enforcement program for combustible dust hazards, followed by a report on the status of the program:
The following Federal OSHA standards are mandatory; they include provisions that address certain aspects of combustible dust hazards. Some are industry-wide and others and industry-specific.
Highlighted Standards
