The document discusses occupational safety considerations for manufacturing nanomaterials. It notes that nanomaterials are increasingly used but little is known about their health effects. It recommends that companies establish effective safety management systems to assess hazards, implement controls like ventilation, and monitor exposures. Engineering controls are important to minimize hazards and protect workers. A full risk assessment including identifying sources of highest exposure and background information is needed to develop an appropriate safety plan for nanomaterial production. Worker health should be the top priority.
Reduction of Un-safe Work Practices by Enhancing Shop floor Safety– A case studyIJERA Editor
Industrial safety is of utmost important in the present industrial scenario in order to protect employees, plant and
environment. The present study is carried out in a machine tool manufacturing company. The initial study
revealed several problems with respect to industrial safety and productivity. Keeping these problems in view,
the aim of the present study was to analyse the existing layout and designing the new layout to improve the
productivity by ensuring safety in the shop floor according to the standards.The existing problems were
analysed systematically and solved by adopting andimplementing DuPont Safety Model. The implementation
resulted in increasing the safety and productivity in the organization.
Zero-Defects Plug and Play -- General Quality Frameworks and Processes for Ac...Jorgen Thelin
This dissertation describes the design of the overall quality framework and processes for use in
ICL's Ashton Manufacturing plant.
It provides a set of generic processes to address the requirement of achieving and maintaining
high levels of delivered product quality in a typical high throughput / high mix computer
manufacturing environment.
These frameworks are suitably general purpose to be applicable to any similar "world class"
manufacturing situation with little alteration.
The dissertation outlines the two elements of manufacturing quality, namely conformance (no
deviations), and removal of infant mortalities.
It shows how Delivered Quality Audits are a key method of assessing the true level of
conformance of products shipped to customers, and also of gauging the customer's opinion of
total perceived quality.
It emphasises the fact the manufacturing must now be regarded as a "knowledge-based"
business, where knowledge retention is key to the on-going success of the operation. This is
particularly true when viewed against the "fundamental economics of manufacturing", namely
the constant need to contain and reduce overhead costs, and which in a climate of recession
almost invariably leads to the departure of the oldest and most experienced staff, with a
consequent loss of their accumulated knowledge and experiences.
The quality processes themselves are shown as interrelated, and unified within a single overall
generic framework. The framework is considered as one of the vehicles for obtaining
"Loose/Tight fit", where best practice techniques can be prescribed and standardised across the
varied product ranges, yet still allowing "customisation" of the generic frameworks to
accommodate the beneficial differences of 'Plants within a Plant'
The key element of Quality Improvement embodied within the framework is shown to be the
generic "corrective action loop", which is capable of handling any of the varied types of
problem likely to be encountered within a manufacturing environment. The success of this
quality improvement system is critically dependant on the involvement of operations staff and
"correction at source".
The other key element is the recognition that quality processes and systems have inherent limits
to their effectiveness. To be able to exceed these limits, a "breakthrough" or "quantum-leap"
change is necessary. While the "breakthrough" activities are being formulated and undertaken
to create wide-ranging beneficial change, it is important to recognised that the "control"
activities of management are vital to prevent unfavourable changes or reversion to the previous
methods occuring.
The final key concept explored is the three dimensions of organisational management
- accountability, responsibility and authority. The importance of organisational design to align
these elements together and match them to the organisational unit boundaries is clear.
Ultimately, organisational structure can have a large influence on the operation and
effectiveness of the overall quality processes.
Reduction of Un-safe Work Practices by Enhancing Shop floor Safety– A case studyIJERA Editor
Industrial safety is of utmost important in the present industrial scenario in order to protect employees, plant and
environment. The present study is carried out in a machine tool manufacturing company. The initial study
revealed several problems with respect to industrial safety and productivity. Keeping these problems in view,
the aim of the present study was to analyse the existing layout and designing the new layout to improve the
productivity by ensuring safety in the shop floor according to the standards.The existing problems were
analysed systematically and solved by adopting andimplementing DuPont Safety Model. The implementation
resulted in increasing the safety and productivity in the organization.
Zero-Defects Plug and Play -- General Quality Frameworks and Processes for Ac...Jorgen Thelin
This dissertation describes the design of the overall quality framework and processes for use in
ICL's Ashton Manufacturing plant.
It provides a set of generic processes to address the requirement of achieving and maintaining
high levels of delivered product quality in a typical high throughput / high mix computer
manufacturing environment.
These frameworks are suitably general purpose to be applicable to any similar "world class"
manufacturing situation with little alteration.
The dissertation outlines the two elements of manufacturing quality, namely conformance (no
deviations), and removal of infant mortalities.
It shows how Delivered Quality Audits are a key method of assessing the true level of
conformance of products shipped to customers, and also of gauging the customer's opinion of
total perceived quality.
It emphasises the fact the manufacturing must now be regarded as a "knowledge-based"
business, where knowledge retention is key to the on-going success of the operation. This is
particularly true when viewed against the "fundamental economics of manufacturing", namely
the constant need to contain and reduce overhead costs, and which in a climate of recession
almost invariably leads to the departure of the oldest and most experienced staff, with a
consequent loss of their accumulated knowledge and experiences.
The quality processes themselves are shown as interrelated, and unified within a single overall
generic framework. The framework is considered as one of the vehicles for obtaining
"Loose/Tight fit", where best practice techniques can be prescribed and standardised across the
varied product ranges, yet still allowing "customisation" of the generic frameworks to
accommodate the beneficial differences of 'Plants within a Plant'
The key element of Quality Improvement embodied within the framework is shown to be the
generic "corrective action loop", which is capable of handling any of the varied types of
problem likely to be encountered within a manufacturing environment. The success of this
quality improvement system is critically dependant on the involvement of operations staff and
"correction at source".
The other key element is the recognition that quality processes and systems have inherent limits
to their effectiveness. To be able to exceed these limits, a "breakthrough" or "quantum-leap"
change is necessary. While the "breakthrough" activities are being formulated and undertaken
to create wide-ranging beneficial change, it is important to recognised that the "control"
activities of management are vital to prevent unfavourable changes or reversion to the previous
methods occuring.
The final key concept explored is the three dimensions of organisational management
- accountability, responsibility and authority. The importance of organisational design to align
these elements together and match them to the organisational unit boundaries is clear.
Ultimately, organisational structure can have a large influence on the operation and
effectiveness of the overall quality processes.
Interview with Dr. Johannes Eickmanns, Bayer Material Science AG / GermanyMaria Willamowius
Prior to the Global ManuChem Strategies 2014, we spoke to Dr. Johannes Eickmans, Department Head Change Management Production and Technology, Bayer Material Science AG / Germany
This work presents the results of a case study and describes an important area within the field of con-struction safety management, namely behavior-based safety (BBS). This paper adopts and develops amanagement approach for safety improvements in construction site environments. A rigorous behav-ioral safety system and its intervention program was implemented and deployed on target constructionsites. After taking a few weeks of safety behavior measurements, the project management team imple-mented the designed intervention and measurements were taken. Goal-setting sessions were arrangedon-site with workers’ participation to set realistic and attainable targets of performance. Safety per-formance measurements continued and the levels of performance and the targets were presented onfeedback charts. Supervisors were asked to give workers recognition and praise when they acted safelyor improved critical behaviors. Observers were requested to have discussions with workers, visit the site,distribute training materials to workers, and provide feedback to crews and display charts. They wererequired to talk to operatives in the presence of line managers. It was necessary to develop awareness andunderstanding of what was being measured. In the process, operatives learned how to act safely whenconducting site tasks using the designed checklists. Current weekly scores were discussed in the weeklysafety meetings and other operational site meetings with emphasis on how to achieve set targets. Thereliability of the safety performance measures taken by the company’s observers was monitored. A clearincrease in safety performance level was achieved across all categories: personal protective equipment;housekeeping; access to heights; plant and equipment, and scaffolding. The research reveals that scoresof safety performance at one project improved from 86% (at the end of 3rd week) to 92.9% during the9th week. The results of intervention demonstrated large decreases in unsafe behaviors and significantincreases in safe behaviors. The results of this case study showed that an approach based on goal setting,feedback, and an effective measure of safety behavior if properly applied by committed management,can improve safety performance significantly in construction site environments. The results proved thatthe BBS management technique can be applied to any country’s culture, showing that it would be a goodapproach for improving the safety of front-line workers and that it has industry wide application forongoing construction projects.
Demystifying the FDA's Human Factors GuidanceGreenlight Guru
In 2016, the FDA finalized its human factors guidance for medical devices.
This guidance document cleared up some of the uncertainty about how manufacturers should implement human factors into their product development process.
However, due to the wide diversity of medical devices manufactured today (auto-injector vs. infusion pump vs. robotic surgical system etc.), manufacturers often struggle to understand how the guidelines apply to their own specific device(s).
This webinar will break down FDA’s human factors guidance into a list of actionable steps.
Specifically, you will learn:
-An understanding of usability testing and its role within the field of human factors
-How to improve overall product design and speed to market by implementing human factors into design controls
-Strategies to pass a human factors validation test on the first attempt
-The importance of including in their human factors strategy all of the tasks impacted by the device use (device setup, instructions for use, cleaning, disposal, etc.)
-The first step a manufacturer should take after receiving a deficiency letter that mentions a lack of human factors
-The future of post-market usability surveillance
Watch the presentation here: https://www.greenlight.guru/webinar/human-factors-fda
How Design Controls & Risk Management Best Practices Reduce Customer Complain...Greenlight Guru
We all know how much emphasis FDA inspectors and ISO auditors place on your customer complaint and CAPA processes. And rightfully so.
But what if there were things you could do to minimize the struggles and challenges associated with customer complaint and CAPA management?
Good news. You can decrease the number of customer complaints and reduce the volume of issued CAPAs through good product development Design Controls and Risk Management practices.
Specifically this presentation will cover:
-Influence Design Controls has on Customer Complaints
-How Customer Complaints impact your CAPA system
-Best practices for Design Controls
-Best practices for Risk Management
-Risk-based approaches to Customer Complaint and CAPA management
The construction industry has been struggling with
quality issues for many years, which affect and the cost, customer
satisfaction and business development. This paper focus on
identification of prerequisite for Quality control of selective
activates. This study leads to find out vital checks in activity which
has to require more concentration while execution. it suggests using
modern tool to check construction work with the help of Android
application. To develop an Android application, this study carried
out a survey for finding critical checks for selective activities. ISO
certified organization and their middle management employee
responded to master checklist. This data analysis forms a unique
trend of vital, important and necessary checks. This is base for
development of application.
Study concluded with the Vital checks in activity for quality
concern, study carried by questionnaire survey, checklist rating and
views. This solution will be unique one for construction industries, as
android users are increasing rapidly.
Interview with Dr. Johannes Eickmanns, Bayer Material Science AG / GermanyMaria Willamowius
Prior to the Global ManuChem Strategies 2014, we spoke to Dr. Johannes Eickmans, Department Head Change Management Production and Technology, Bayer Material Science AG / Germany
This work presents the results of a case study and describes an important area within the field of con-struction safety management, namely behavior-based safety (BBS). This paper adopts and develops amanagement approach for safety improvements in construction site environments. A rigorous behav-ioral safety system and its intervention program was implemented and deployed on target constructionsites. After taking a few weeks of safety behavior measurements, the project management team imple-mented the designed intervention and measurements were taken. Goal-setting sessions were arrangedon-site with workers’ participation to set realistic and attainable targets of performance. Safety per-formance measurements continued and the levels of performance and the targets were presented onfeedback charts. Supervisors were asked to give workers recognition and praise when they acted safelyor improved critical behaviors. Observers were requested to have discussions with workers, visit the site,distribute training materials to workers, and provide feedback to crews and display charts. They wererequired to talk to operatives in the presence of line managers. It was necessary to develop awareness andunderstanding of what was being measured. In the process, operatives learned how to act safely whenconducting site tasks using the designed checklists. Current weekly scores were discussed in the weeklysafety meetings and other operational site meetings with emphasis on how to achieve set targets. Thereliability of the safety performance measures taken by the company’s observers was monitored. A clearincrease in safety performance level was achieved across all categories: personal protective equipment;housekeeping; access to heights; plant and equipment, and scaffolding. The research reveals that scoresof safety performance at one project improved from 86% (at the end of 3rd week) to 92.9% during the9th week. The results of intervention demonstrated large decreases in unsafe behaviors and significantincreases in safe behaviors. The results of this case study showed that an approach based on goal setting,feedback, and an effective measure of safety behavior if properly applied by committed management,can improve safety performance significantly in construction site environments. The results proved thatthe BBS management technique can be applied to any country’s culture, showing that it would be a goodapproach for improving the safety of front-line workers and that it has industry wide application forongoing construction projects.
Demystifying the FDA's Human Factors GuidanceGreenlight Guru
In 2016, the FDA finalized its human factors guidance for medical devices.
This guidance document cleared up some of the uncertainty about how manufacturers should implement human factors into their product development process.
However, due to the wide diversity of medical devices manufactured today (auto-injector vs. infusion pump vs. robotic surgical system etc.), manufacturers often struggle to understand how the guidelines apply to their own specific device(s).
This webinar will break down FDA’s human factors guidance into a list of actionable steps.
Specifically, you will learn:
-An understanding of usability testing and its role within the field of human factors
-How to improve overall product design and speed to market by implementing human factors into design controls
-Strategies to pass a human factors validation test on the first attempt
-The importance of including in their human factors strategy all of the tasks impacted by the device use (device setup, instructions for use, cleaning, disposal, etc.)
-The first step a manufacturer should take after receiving a deficiency letter that mentions a lack of human factors
-The future of post-market usability surveillance
Watch the presentation here: https://www.greenlight.guru/webinar/human-factors-fda
How Design Controls & Risk Management Best Practices Reduce Customer Complain...Greenlight Guru
We all know how much emphasis FDA inspectors and ISO auditors place on your customer complaint and CAPA processes. And rightfully so.
But what if there were things you could do to minimize the struggles and challenges associated with customer complaint and CAPA management?
Good news. You can decrease the number of customer complaints and reduce the volume of issued CAPAs through good product development Design Controls and Risk Management practices.
Specifically this presentation will cover:
-Influence Design Controls has on Customer Complaints
-How Customer Complaints impact your CAPA system
-Best practices for Design Controls
-Best practices for Risk Management
-Risk-based approaches to Customer Complaint and CAPA management
The construction industry has been struggling with
quality issues for many years, which affect and the cost, customer
satisfaction and business development. This paper focus on
identification of prerequisite for Quality control of selective
activates. This study leads to find out vital checks in activity which
has to require more concentration while execution. it suggests using
modern tool to check construction work with the help of Android
application. To develop an Android application, this study carried
out a survey for finding critical checks for selective activities. ISO
certified organization and their middle management employee
responded to master checklist. This data analysis forms a unique
trend of vital, important and necessary checks. This is base for
development of application.
Study concluded with the Vital checks in activity for quality
concern, study carried by questionnaire survey, checklist rating and
views. This solution will be unique one for construction industries, as
android users are increasing rapidly.
The following presentation consists of a brief introduction to power screw that we use in our day to day life, its types, analysis of load, efficiency, application and examples with images.
Nanotechnology: Basic introduction to the nanotechnology.Sathya Sujani
This simple presentation will help you to understand the every aspects of nanotechnology including basic definition and it's practical application in a very simple yet precise manner.
THE EVALUATION OF FACTORS INFLUENCING SAFETY PERFORMANCE: A CASE IN AN INDUST...IJDKP
Safety has become a very important element in firms and organisations especially in Ghana. The impact of safety factors on a firm’s 3E’s (Employee, Environment and Equipment) can improve or deteriorate firm’s public image. This paper identified the key safety indicators and also provided a set of core factors that contribute meaningful in promoting safety performance in an Industrial Gas producer in Ghana using the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Organisational, Human, Technical and Environmental factors were identified as the safety indicators in relation to the study area. The studies revealed that organisational factor is the most important factor or criterion that could facilitate a better safety performance of the Industrial Gas
Company. In addition, employees was identified the best safety alternative, whilst environment and equipment followed sequentially.
Systems-Based Leadership Approach (SBLA) to Human Error in Pharmaceutical Man...Ashley Turner
Human error in the pharmaceutical industry results in costly rework, lost product, and lost time to more drastic consequences that increase the risk to patients, consumers, employees, and operations. Human error reduction methods and risk management techniques are highly sought after and utilized to optimize operations, increase profits, and minimize safety hazards. This presentation distinguishes human error reduction from a person-centered and a systems-based approach in the pharmaceutical industry. The research constructs a theoretical framework of a novel approach from literature research and information gained through interviews with subject matter experts. Furthermore, the research focuses on managerial implications with this new approach and emphasizes the importance of leadership’s involvement through the Bhopal Disaster, which was the world’s worst industrial accident.
Application of Lean Tools in the Oil Field Safety ManagementIJERA Editor
Current safety management in oil fields is in low efficiency and data from DOE indicated that the injury rate in the oil and gas field was greater than those for all the other U.S. industries. The paperintroduced lean concepts and tools to the safety management in oil fields. In theresearch, a new safety management methodology has been set up. The study also compared the current safety management and the new safety management which was built up by lean concepts. In addition, several lean tools have been modified to make them fit and work better in oil fields
International Journal of Computational Engineering Research(IJCER)ijceronline
International Journal of Computational Engineering Research (IJCER) is dedicated to protecting personal information and will make every reasonable effort to handle collected information appropriately. All information collected, as well as related requests, will be handled as carefully and efficiently as possible in accordance with IJCER standards for integrity and objectivity.
uction safety has been achieved, the industry still continues to lag behind most other industries with regard to safety. The construction safety of any organization consists of employee’s attitudes towards and perceptions of, health and safety
behaviour. Construction workers attitudes towards safety are influenced by their perceptions of risk, management, safety rules
and procedures. A measure of safety could be used to identify those areas of safety that need more attention and improvement.
The aim of the study was to identify factors in the safety management that any lead project success. these factors influence
construction safety. In this project questionnaire is framed to find safety in major organisations. data is collected on the basis
of questionnaire. Employees of various construction firm are interviewed. Collected data is analysed statistically. this analysis
is show the safety environment among organisation. it also gives suggestion to improve safety at construction site.
Safety management and organizational performance of selected manufacturing fi...AJHSSR Journal
The health and safety (H&S) of employees is a very significant issue to consider with relation to
the attainment of organizational goals. The broad objective of the study is to examine the level of relationship
between safety management system and organizational performance of two plastic industries in Awka
metropolis. Three research questions and hypotheses were formulated in line with the specific objectives. The
study is anchored on Heinrich Theory. In pursuance of the objective of the study, the descriptive survey design
was adopted. The study worked with the population of eighty. Pilot study was conducted using a test retest
method to establish the reliability of the research instrument. The validity of the instrument was also tested. Chi
square was used for data analysis and Z test was also used to test the Chi square at 0.05 level of significance.
The findings revealed that safety management has a positive influence on firm’s profitability, that there is a
relationship between safety management and customer satisfaction, that safety management has influence on
employee commitment and that safety management reduces cost for organization. The study recommends that
Safety should therefore be afforded the highest priority, taking precedence over commercial, operational,
environmental or social pressures, in that staff must be given responsibility for their own actions, and managers
held responsible for the safety performance of their organisations.
Efficient Safety Culture as Sustainable Development in Construction IndustryIJERA Editor
The paper focuses on precaution necessary to prevent avoidable accidents in the construction industries, important water development, building and roads construction in Nigeria. Moreover, appreciate the need for a safe working environment but also precaution necessary for hitch-free operation.
Requirements Workshop Agenda
eGrants Project
Date, Time & Location
Objective and Scope
To …
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Minutes
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lean.org Lean Enterprise Institute 1
Medtronic Neruomodulation at a Glance
Minneapolis HQ
$1.5 billion (FY2010) revenue
10% of Medtronic‟s revenue
140 suppliers
Developed from Medtronic‟s expertise in
heart electrical stimulation
Key products:
o implantable neurostimulators send mild
electrical impulses to the spine, masking
pain messages
o implantable drug pumps deliver pain
medication directly to the fluid around
the spinal cord at a fraction of an oral
dose.
Implantable treatments are reversible; a
doctor can turn off or remove the system.
Patients can try therapies temporarily to test
effectiveness before getting a permanent
implant.
Lean management case studies series
Using Plan-Do-Check-Act as a Strategy and Tactic for Helping
Suppliers Improve
Lean Thinkers are familiar with the scientific process of plan-do-check act (PDCA) as a method
that guides problem solving on the shop floor or office. But Medtronic‟s Neuromodulation
business not only uses PDCA for shop-floor problem solving, it also uses the process to guide
overall strategy for selecting and developing key suppliers.
As a maker of surgically implantable medical devices, such as electrical stimulators and drug
pumps, that alleviate pain, Neuromodulation (Neuro) depends on suppliers, many of whom
deliver critical components or finished goods. Continuously improving their performance is vital.
“Medtronic is on a lean journey and we‟d
like our strategic suppliers to be on that
journey with us,” said William Hooper,
Medtronic vice president of operations and
supply chain. “We can‟t be successful
unless our strategic suppliers are
successful.” For example, he noted that
analyses of field reliability problems
showed that “a quarter to a third” were
attributable to supplier quality issues.
“Not only do we have to lift our capability
in quality and field performance, but we
need to lift our suppliers‟ performances,”
Hooper said.
Besides improving supplier performance, a
strategic PDCA approach helps Neuro:
Align supplier development
activities with business
requirements as defined by Neuro‟s
director of global supply chain.
Create a standard approach to the selection, status, and tracking of supplier development
activities.
lean.org Lean Enterprise Institute 2
Plan-do-check-act is
often illustrated as a
continuous cycle.
Deliver real-time visual status of activities to Neuro stakeholders.
The approach is “modeled after the Toyota Production System strategy of treating suppliers as
partners,” said Jeff Hans, director of Neuro‟s global supply chain. Before adopting a strategic
PDCA methodology two years ago, engineers developing suppliers worked in a “heads-down,
.
2. Background/Industry Overview
Nanomaterials uses, continue to increase due
to vast applications in different industries.
Many companies use engineered
nanomaterial to make a products stronger
and last longer. According to NIOSH
(2013), “It is essential that producers and
users of nanomaterials ensure a safe and
healthy work environment for employees
who may be exposed to these
materials” (P.1). The use of engineered
nanomaterial is a relatively new and not a lot
is known about occupational exposures or
what an acceptable level of exposure would
be. There are many different agents that are
used when engineering nanomaterials and it
is employer’s duty to ensure that all employees’ safety and health are the first consideration taken when
introducing new agents into the work site.
Engineered nanomaterials are materials that are made to be specifically smaller than 100 nanometers.
The majority of the materials that are produced at the smaller size have increased durability and
strength, and other improved properties. Nanomaterial production seems to be the future in various
industries to improve their existing products. Elmer’s glue uses a nanomaterial, titanium dioxide that
helps increase hardness and strength of dried glue. Titanium dioxide is also used in food as an
anticaking agent. Most of the products that are manufactured using nanomaterial are from the health
and fitness category of products. According to Roco (2005) reports that worldwide, the investment in
nanotechnology has increased from $432 million in 1997 to about $4.1 billion in 2005.
Since the manufacturing of nanomaterials is relatively new process, many efforts are underway to
determine if there are any significant health and safety to personnel. Some of the results from the initial
testing that has been completed by scientists have had some troubling results.
NIOSH [2013]. Current strategies for engineering controls in nanomaterial production and downstream handling processes. Cincinnati,
OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2014–102.
Manufacturing Products with Nanomaterials
What is a nanomaterial?
3. Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems
A company that produces nanomaterial needs to have an effective health and safety management system.
It is important that the expectation from the CEO to the field personnel share the same ideologies when
it comes to safety and health of every employee. This includes hazard analysis and prevention for each
job step, and finding an effective mitigation as well as training each employee on the materials they are
handling. Nanomaterials cover a wide range of hazards depending on which materials are being used and
the processes they are using the materials in.
All hazard assessments need to be documented so that it can be referenced and used by the management
team and field level personnel for planning of new tasks. If any new hazards are identified that are not
documented during the planning phase, it needs to be brought up to safety department and supervison.
The introduction of a new chemical or step in a process should automatically trigger a follow hazard
assessment, to validate that no new hazards have been created by the new changes in the process. The
hazard assessment document is an ever green document which needs to be updated regularly.
As with any production process we always want to work from the top to bottom implementing the
hierarchy of controls to minimize the exposure of a hazard to an employee. Elimination is the most
effective control when working through the hierarchy of controls. When producing a nanomaterial we
need to look at if we can eliminate the particular hazard all together. Are we able to make the same
product without the nanomaterial and keep the same properties? The next step would be substitution of
a less harmful nanomaterial that would yield the same results. Engineering controls such as ventilation
in the work have proven to be an effective mitigation. Each decision that is made while impletementing
controls when handling nanomaterials needs to be made with with the health and safety of the personnel
that is working in the production process that is making the nanomaterial.
Exposure control strategies
Manufacturing Products with Nanomaterials
4. Nanotechnology Processes
NIOSH (2013) stated that "Currently nanomaterials are produced using a variety of methods that
provide conditions for the formation of desired shapes, sizes and chemical compositions and that the
production processes can be separated into six categories" (p.21):
• Gas Phase Processes, including flame pyrolysis, high-temperature evaporation, and plasma synthesis
• Chemical vapor deposition
• Colloidal or liquid phase methods
• Mechanical processes including grinding, milling and alloying
• Atomic and moecular beam epitaxy
• Dip pen lithography
Engineering controls, is the means of removing the
hazard or putting a barrier between the hazard and
the personnel. To idenify an engineering control
you have to know the complete process from start to
finish. This helps ensure that the that the control
will be effective. Most engineering controls cost
more upfront but companies see a return on
investment on the back end. This also means that
the company will save money if the controls are
effective because they often dont require any
additional training.
Some examples from Pharmaceutical industries of engineering controls for different job tasks are:
• Discharge/collar hood • Glovebox isolator
• Continuous Liner • Ventilated booth
• Inflatable seal • Wet Suppression
• Nano Fume Hood
Manufacturing Products with Nanomaterials
Engineering Control Methods
NIOSH [2013]. Current strategies for engineering controls in nanomaterial production and downstream handling processes. Cincinnati,
OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2014–102.
5. Manufacturing Products with Nanomaterials
Since there is not much data reagarding the health and safety exposures regarding producing
nanomaterial, steps have to be taken to ensure that the safe guards that are put into place are effective
and evaluated peridoically.
Locate the sources that have the highest potential to expose personnel. This will narrow your areas down
so that you will be able to conduct a sampling plan.
Once the locations of the potential exposures has been determined the company will want to gather
information on the background of the area. This will help differentiate if the area is contaiminated from
an outside source that is not part of the sampling plan..
Another factor that has to be considered is what form of the hazard exsists in the work area. This is
important so you can determine the sampling method and media that will be require to complete the
sampling plan.
A facility should have an audit form that can be used by the supervision to ensure that the engineering
controls are working and functioning correctly. This will allow the management team to perform spot
checks on their personnel ensure that they are compliant with the companies policies.
Conclusion and Recommendations
There are many factors that need to be accounted for when developing a comprehensive health and
safety program for producing nanomaterials. A thorough risk assessment will help a company
determine which tasks pose the greater risk to their personnel and help idenitfy an effective
mitigation. Even though the nanomaterials industry has not been around for very long there are
plenty of resources out that will help guide a company to ensure that their employees are not exposed.
The safety of the personnel should be the number one priority in each step of creating a new product
with nanomaterials.
NIOSH [2013]. Current strategies for engineering controls in nanomaterial production and downstream handling processes.
Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2014–102.
Control Evaluations