Overview
ISO/TS 12901-1:2012 - Nanotechnologies - Occupational risk management applied to engineered nanomaterials, Part 1: Principles and approaches provides guidance for identifying, assessing and managing occupational health and safety risks associated with engineered nanomaterials (nano-objects, nanofibres, nanotubes, nanoparticles, aggregates and agglomerates - NOAA). The technical specification explains a risk management framework based on current scientific evidence and practical measures, including engineering controls, personal protective equipment (PPE), spill response and waste disposal.
Key topics and requirements
This part of ISO/TS 12901:2012 covers fundamental elements of occupational risk management for nanotechnologies and engineered nanomaterials:
- Terms and definitions for NOAA, nanoparticle, nanofibre, aggregate/agglomerate and related vocabulary to support consistent risk communication.
- Nanomaterial types and characteristics (fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, metals/oxides, nanoclays, etc.).
- Hazard, exposure and risk considerations, including inhalation, dermal exposure, ingestion, fire/explosion potential and NOAA as hazardous materials.
- General risk-management approach and the role/competence of personnel conducting risk assessments.
- Information collection and health risk evaluation: assessing hazard and exposure, prioritizing risks, documentation and review.
- Control of risk: hierarchy of controls, selection and evaluation of engineering controls, PPE, administrative controls, and training.
- Measurement and monitoring methods for evaluating control effectiveness and sampling strategies.
- Health surveillance, spillages/accidental releases, storage and disposal procedures, and fire/explosion prevention.
- Annex on control approaches (informative) to aid implementation.
Practical applications
ISO/TS 12901-1 is intended to be applied in workplaces and organizations that produce, handle, process or dispose of engineered nanomaterials. Typical uses include:
- Developing or updating workplace safety programs for nanomaterials and nanotechnology labs.
- Performing occupational risk assessments and control selection using a consistent framework.
- Specifying engineering controls (local exhaust, containment), appropriate PPE, and monitoring strategies.
- Designing spill response, storage and disposal procedures for NOAA-containing waste.
- Informing training, health surveillance and emergency preparedness for potential inhalation, dermal or ingestion exposure.
Who should use this standard
- Health and safety managers
- Production and operations managers in nanomaterial manufacturing
- Environmental managers and waste handlers
- Industrial and occupational hygienists
- Laboratory managers and safety officers implementing nanotechnology safety programs
Related standards
Using ISO/TS 12901-1:2012 helps organizations apply proven occupational risk management practices for engineered nanomaterials, improving workplace safety, regulatory compliance and consistency across nanotechnology operations.