Z12885-12 (R2017)

Overview

Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary grouping of materials, applications and concepts, as well as physical, chemical, biological, engineering, and electronic processes. The defining characteristic is size: nanotechnology involves developing and using materials typically in the range of 1 to 100 nanometers (one nanometer is one billionth of a meter).

Expected to impact virtually every facet of global industry and society, the potential application of nanomaterials seems to be limitless. Unique properties exhibited at the nanoscale are being applied in a range of product areas that includes computers, health care, packaging, textiles, and energy. The use of engineered nanomaterials, however, as primary and intermediate components in manufactured products may raise worker and workplace safety concerns.

The first edition of CSA Z12885 contains valuable knowledge on occupational safety and health practices related to nanotechnologies. The first in a series of standards being adopted in Canada relating to the use of nanotechnologies in new processes, products and systems, CSA Z12885 is an adoption, with Canadian deviations, of ISO Technical Report 12885 - Nanotechnologies — Health and safety practices in occupational settings relevant to nanotechnologies.

CSA Z12885 is aligned with the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) continuous improvement model as found in occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) such as CAN/CSA-Z1000 Standard, Occupational Health and Safety Management.

Highlights of Z12885 include:

(a) Clearly outlines of responsibilities and accountability of senior management as well as encouraging worker participation

(b) Describes elements of hazard identification and risk assessment processes

(c) Reviews preventative and protective measures

(d) Outlines proper work procedures and sufficient training needs

(e) Includes comprehensive tables, graphs and illustrations

Preface

This is the first edition of CSA Z12885, Nanotechnologies - Exposure control program for engineered nanomaterials in occupational settings. It is based on ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Technical Report 12885 (first edition, 2008-10-01) entitled Nanotechnologies - Health and safety practices in occupational settings relevant to nanotechnologies and contains revisions and additional guidance to reflect Canadian practices and safety considerations. This Standard is the first in a series of Standards on nanotechnologies resulting from international and Canadian contributions to the continued activity of ISO/TC 229, the ISO Technical Committee on nanotechnologies.

Scope

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.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (nonmandatory) to define their application.