Nano-APV (overall workplace assessment for the handling of nanoparticles)
The nano-responsible at the Institute must prepare an overall workplace assessment (Nano-APV) that describes how to handle nanoparticles locally to avoid exposure. The Nano-APV must be available in Danish and English. If all employees speak English, the English version will be sufficient.
Local procedures for those parts of the process that pose a risk must be included in the Nano-APV, e.g. handling, disposal, waste and accident, cleaning, shutdown and use of dedicated laboratory facilities and approved technical equipment. It will be stated how to work locally, and how the risks are prevented, e.g. using technical and personal protective equipment, as well as shutdowns / shields, signage, and control measurements.
Procedures and instructions are not to be repeated in the individual risk assessments, if all risks are described and fully covered in the Nano-APV. Just refer to the Nano-APV.
The greatest risk of exposure to airborne nanoparticles occurs when:
Opening of containers and handling: Decide where it is allowed to work with nanoparticles – e.g which technical protective equipment, or which dedicated rooms. There must be an instruction for safe handling for all approved handling sites. Reference should be made to the risk assessment for the selection of personal protective equipment. The approved technical equipment, or dedicated room, and the ventilation duct that serves it, must be signed. Be aware which ventilation channels have Hepa filters. This is important for the amount of nanoparticles it is possible to handle. If you use the risk assessment toll "Nanosafer" you need information about room size, air change, ventilation, etc. - Theese data can be maintained in the Nano APV and in the red info box.
Weighing: Consider where to weigh out nanoparticles. Nanoparticles must be weighed out in a closed system (approved fume hood or safety cabinet). It is not sufficiently safe to use an analysis weight on the laboratory table with local exhaust. Nanoparticles can be airy and electrostatic and can act as gases, and therefore they can be very difficult to weigh out in a turbulent fume hood. It is a good idea first to encapsulate the analytical weight in a box.
Decanting and mixing: Determine where nanoparticles must be decanted, poured or mixed. Nanoparticles can be airy and electrostatic and can behave like gases, and therefore they can be very difficult to handle in a turbulent fume hood. It is a good idea to use a wet cloth at the bottom of the fume hood.
Evaporation, heating, or filtering: When a solution is evaporated, heated, or filtered, the dry nanoparticles will remain in the flask / filter. The handling must take place in approved technical equipment. The flask must only be removed from the closed system when properly tipped and wiped. Filter paper only leaves the closed system as sealed waste.
Combustion: During combustion nanoparticles can be formed, and if this is the case, the furnaces must be placed in closed and approved technical equipment.
Degradation of composites or grinding: Nanoparticle generating processes must take place in an approved closed system.
Paint and aerosol formation: If an approved closed system is not used, nanoparticle generating processes must be carried out under full protection.
Spills, accidents, and cleaning: All approved technical equipment, as well as approved nano rooms, must be subject to any spillages and accidents. This applies both inside the closed systems, but also directly outside the technical protective equipment. There must be a cleaning procedure that minimizes exposure to all employees. At the same time, a procedure for cleaning equipment and premises must be prepared.
Disposal and dish wash: Specify a procedure for nano waste and dish washing. This must apply to nanoparticle residues, used containers, flasks, used wipes, used gloves and gloves, etc. Describe how everything is wiped or washed before leaving the closed system. Keep in mind that nanoparticle-containing waste must be handled as carcinogenic waste - remember the yellow label.
Operation and maintenance of ventilation systems, HEPA-filter, and equipment: The ventilation systems that operate the approved technical equipment must be equipped with HEPA-filters and signs. A local instruction and procedure for safe ventilation maintenance and HEPA-filter change must be prepared, including cleaning instructions in the case of spilling. The instruction is maintained in the red info box. The frequency of the change of filter must be indicated.
Power shut down or ventilation failure: A procedure for power failure / ventilation failure must be written
Signage: A description of when employees must place signs on the exterior doors to the room with "Nanoparticles Warning Signal" and "Prohibited Access", must be given.
Storage: Nanoparticles are stored in ventilated chemical cabinets. It is recommended that the cabinets are close to where they are handled, so transportation is minimized.
Transportation: Loss of nanoparticles during transport poses a high risk. There must be evacuation / shutdown and cleaning procedures.
Control measurements: As an additional security, all procedures for handling nanoparticles must be checked via control measurements.
If applicable, the above should be included in the Institute's overall Nano APV. The Occupational Safety and Health Organization or the Occupational Health and Safety Committee must approve the Nano APV.
Local procedures for those parts of the process that pose a risk must be included in the Nano-APV, e.g. handling, disposal, waste and accident, cleaning, shutdown and use of dedicated laboratory facilities and approved technical equipment. It will be stated how to work locally, and how the risks are prevented, e.g. using technical and personal protective equipment, as well as shutdowns / shields, signage, and control measurements.
Procedures and instructions are not to be repeated in the individual risk assessments, if all risks are described and fully covered in the Nano-APV. Just refer to the Nano-APV.
The greatest risk of exposure to airborne nanoparticles occurs when:
Opening of containers and handling: Decide where it is allowed to work with nanoparticles – e.g which technical protective equipment, or which dedicated rooms. There must be an instruction for safe handling for all approved handling sites. Reference should be made to the risk assessment for the selection of personal protective equipment. The approved technical equipment, or dedicated room, and the ventilation duct that serves it, must be signed. Be aware which ventilation channels have Hepa filters. This is important for the amount of nanoparticles it is possible to handle. If you use the risk assessment toll "Nanosafer" you need information about room size, air change, ventilation, etc. - Theese data can be maintained in the Nano APV and in the red info box.
Weighing: Consider where to weigh out nanoparticles. Nanoparticles must be weighed out in a closed system (approved fume hood or safety cabinet). It is not sufficiently safe to use an analysis weight on the laboratory table with local exhaust. Nanoparticles can be airy and electrostatic and can act as gases, and therefore they can be very difficult to weigh out in a turbulent fume hood. It is a good idea first to encapsulate the analytical weight in a box.
Decanting and mixing: Determine where nanoparticles must be decanted, poured or mixed. Nanoparticles can be airy and electrostatic and can behave like gases, and therefore they can be very difficult to handle in a turbulent fume hood. It is a good idea to use a wet cloth at the bottom of the fume hood.
Evaporation, heating, or filtering: When a solution is evaporated, heated, or filtered, the dry nanoparticles will remain in the flask / filter. The handling must take place in approved technical equipment. The flask must only be removed from the closed system when properly tipped and wiped. Filter paper only leaves the closed system as sealed waste.
Combustion: During combustion nanoparticles can be formed, and if this is the case, the furnaces must be placed in closed and approved technical equipment.
Degradation of composites or grinding: Nanoparticle generating processes must take place in an approved closed system.
Paint and aerosol formation: If an approved closed system is not used, nanoparticle generating processes must be carried out under full protection.
Spills, accidents, and cleaning: All approved technical equipment, as well as approved nano rooms, must be subject to any spillages and accidents. This applies both inside the closed systems, but also directly outside the technical protective equipment. There must be a cleaning procedure that minimizes exposure to all employees. At the same time, a procedure for cleaning equipment and premises must be prepared.
Disposal and dish wash: Specify a procedure for nano waste and dish washing. This must apply to nanoparticle residues, used containers, flasks, used wipes, used gloves and gloves, etc. Describe how everything is wiped or washed before leaving the closed system. Keep in mind that nanoparticle-containing waste must be handled as carcinogenic waste - remember the yellow label.
Operation and maintenance of ventilation systems, HEPA-filter, and equipment: The ventilation systems that operate the approved technical equipment must be equipped with HEPA-filters and signs. A local instruction and procedure for safe ventilation maintenance and HEPA-filter change must be prepared, including cleaning instructions in the case of spilling. The instruction is maintained in the red info box. The frequency of the change of filter must be indicated.
Power shut down or ventilation failure: A procedure for power failure / ventilation failure must be written
Signage: A description of when employees must place signs on the exterior doors to the room with "Nanoparticles Warning Signal" and "Prohibited Access", must be given.
Storage: Nanoparticles are stored in ventilated chemical cabinets. It is recommended that the cabinets are close to where they are handled, so transportation is minimized.
Transportation: Loss of nanoparticles during transport poses a high risk. There must be evacuation / shutdown and cleaning procedures.
Control measurements: As an additional security, all procedures for handling nanoparticles must be checked via control measurements.
If applicable, the above should be included in the Institute's overall Nano APV. The Occupational Safety and Health Organization or the Occupational Health and Safety Committee must approve the Nano APV.
Contact
Lise Brown Christiansen Health and Safety Advisor Campus Service Mobile: +45 93511415 lbrch@dtu.dk