Nanotechnologies - Exposure control program for engineered nanomaterials in occupational settings

1.1 This Standard specifies requirements for establishing and maintaining an exposure control program for engineered nanomaterials in the workplace in accordance with occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) principles (see CAN/CSA-Z1000 and Clause 4). 1.2 This Standard provides guidance on health and safety practices in occupational settings relevant to nanotechnologies (see Annexes A to E). 1.3 The information in this Standard reflects current information about nanotechnologies, including characterization, health effects, exposure assessments, and control practices. The terms and definitions used in this Standard are consistent with those developed under ISO TC 229, the ISO Technical Committee on nanotechnologies. 1.4 This Standard focuses on the manufacture and use of engineered nanomaterials in workplaces. It does not address health and safety issues or practices associated with nanomaterials generated by natural processes, hot processes, and other standard operations that unintentionally generate nanomaterials or with potential consumer exposures or uses, although some of the information in this Standard could be relevant to those areas. The information in this Standard can help companies, researchers, workers, and others to prevent adverse health and safety consequences during the production, handling, use, and disposal of engineered nanomaterials. This advice is broadly applicable across a range of nanomaterials and applications. For the purposes of this Standard (a) the term "nanomaterials" refers to engineered nanomaterials; and (b) the term "nanoparticle" is understood to refer more broadly to a nanomaterial with one, two, or three dimensions in the nanoscale. 1.5 In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard.