Safety at the workplace is the responsibility of the employer. He is responsible for all basic trainings, assessment & management of risks and potential hazards at the workplace as well as the implementation of the associated protective safety measures. The employee has to act safely in accordance with the training and has to inform the employer about any possible further risks. The European legislation on worker protection also applies to nanomaterials. Similarly to the handling of other hazardous substances, the same prevention measures (“STOP”) following the hierarchy of control are relevant:
- Substitution
- Technical control measures at the source
- Organisational measures
- Personal protection equipment
Further information on this topic of nanomaterials and occupational health & safety can be found on the websites of the appropriate authorities, insurers or the European Agency for safety and health at work (EU-OSHA).
Germany
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) – Nanotechnology
- Nanoportal of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) (in GERMAN)
- German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) – Ultrafine aerosols and nanoparticles at the workplace
Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) – Occupational health protection
- Federal Coordination Commission for Occupational Safety (FCOS)
- Swiss Social Accident insurance (SUVA) (in GERMAN) – Nanopartikel an Arbeitsplätzen
Austria
- Arbeitsinspektion (Bundesministeriums für Arbeit, Soziales und Konsumentenschutz) – Nanomaterialien (in GERMAN)
- Nanoinformation-Portal (in GERMAN)
European Union
- European Agency for safety and health at work (EU-OSHA) – Managing nanomaterials in the workplace
