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OHS Reference Manual

The GoodNanoGuide provides both environmental, health and safety (“EHS”) Protocols and an EHS Reference Manual. The EHS Reference Manual outlines the approaches taken by professionals using research about nanomaterials and other precedents to develop appropriate protocols and guidelines. The Manual is open for edit and comment and is organized into six sections sequenced to conform with general industrial processes employed by professionals who investigate risks and develop protocols for mitigating risks:

Section I – A Well-Defined Description of Work – This is the important description of the specific work and EHS environment.

Section II – Identify Hazard – This requires use of the main concepts of nanomaterial physico-chemical characteristics, toxicology, ecotoxicology, and hazard classifications and EHS concepts to inform the consideration of the materials and factors that may constitute potential exposure and EHS risk from nanomaterials.

Section III – Assess Potential Exposures – This analysis of the range of locations, types of person(s) and exposure routes allows the professional to recommend practices for qualitative and quantitative exposure assessment.

Section IV – Develop Risk Management Plan – This deals with the elements of the Plan based on the principles of controlling and managing exposure and how to apply good EHS and control practices.

Section V – Verify Control Measures – Key to any EHS process is the need for the tools to evaluate the exposures, effectiveness of control measures and verification of procedures.

Section VI – Periodically Re-Evaluate Good Practices – Outlines the rationale for periodic reviews of the EHS protocols and exposure risks to allow for amendments and quality improvement over time.


I. Begin With a Well-Defined Description of Work

II. Identify Hazard

  • Physicochemical Characteristics
  • Toxicity Characteristics
  • Ecotoxicity Characteristics
  • Hazard Class Assignment
  • Hazard Communication Plan

III. Assess Potential Exposures

IV. Develop Risk Management Plan

V. Verify Control Measures

  • Industrial Hygiene Surveys
  • Waste Surveys
  • Effluent Monitoring
  • Worker Health Surveillance

VI. Periodically Re-Evaluate Good Practices

  • Re-evaluate Hazard Class Assignment
  • Re-evaluate Potential Exposures
  • Re-evaluate Control Plan
  • Re-evaluate Control Efficacy