270118 Protecting workers in nanotechnology: Legal protections and regulatory issues

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM

Suzanne Marria, JD , Division of Occupational Safety and Health, State of California, Oakland, CA
     
Workers are exposed to potential hazards of nanomaterials through a variety of means including production and research activities, and in multiple industries ranging from consumer products to automotive. The presentation will give attendees an overview of the existing California and federal OSHA laws and regulations pertaining to occupational hazards and exposures for those employed to work with, produce and research nanotechnology. Topics addressed will include the scope of current laws and regulations; application and outcomes of existing laws; and the nanotechnology hazards, exposures, and processes that, from an occupational health and safety and public health perspective, need to be considered for new legislation or regulations.

Learning Areas:
Environmental health sciences
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
1. Provide an overview of the existing California and federal OSHA laws that regulate the occupational hazards and exposures for those employed to work with, produce and research nanotechnology 2. Identify nanotechnology hazards, exposures, and processes that, from an occupational health and safety and public health perspective, need to be considered for new legislation or regulations

Keywords: Emerging Health Issues, Occupational Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: My career as an attorney began in the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) in 1985. I have written "Occupational Safety and Health Regulation", a chapter in the practice guide California Employment Law. I have extensive experience in workers' compensation matters including serving as a Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge. Between 1999 and 2004, I served as the undersecretary, Assistant Director and acting Chief Deputy Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3059.0: Nanotechnology and Worker Health: Setting Policy Direction in a World of Unknowns