Department on Labor/ Occupational Safety and Health Administration (DOL/OSHA)

The Department of Labor (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plays an integral role in nanotechnology by protecting the nation’s workforce. Through the NNI interagency efforts, OSHA accomplishes its mission by collaborating and sharing information with other Federal agencies. As part of this effort, OSHA’s goal is to educate employers on their responsibility to protect workers and educate them on safe practices in handling nanomaterials. OSHA is developing guidance and educational materials promoting worker safety and health that will be shared with the public and through the NNI. In addition, OSHA is interested in ensuring responsible and sustainable nanotechnology by promoting and developing manufacturing processes that take safety and health into consideration from the design of manufacturing systems throughout the entire lifecycle of the material in use, wherever there is potential for worker exposure. To achieve this objective, OSHA is participating in the nanomanufacturing signature initiative and collaborating with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to promote sustainable development in the manufacturing process. This involves development of nanomanufacturing processes that take into account exposure control measures to eliminate or reduce worker exposure from the outset.