The nanotechnology application and workforce health and safety - a study of the Malaysia laws, statutory regulations and guidelines on nanotechnology

Abstract

In Malaysia perspective, the application of nanotechnology is crucial towards achieving the country’s objective as a developed nation by 2020. This paper aims to examine the current Malaysia laws and statutory regulations of nanotechnology applications, to investigate the occupational diseases and work-related accidents associate to nanotechnology and to examine the risk assessment and management practices executed by the nanotechnology-based manufacturers to facilitate the potential effects of nanomaterials. Nanotechnology is a technology that incorporates nanomaterials, which is extremely small materials in size, equivalent to 1/80,000th of the width of a human hair. Due to their distinctive size, these nanomaterials may contribute to the significant health risks and hazards. The findings conclude that there is no specific law and statutory regulation on nanotechnology application exists in Malaysia. Thus, the none existence of nanotechnology laws means there is no protection of persons at work. Malaysia is currently formulating safety standards relevant to nanotechnology. Recently, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) has published the Guideline on Control and Safe Handling Nano Materials by the end of 2018. It provides information and recommendations on handling nanomaterials in the workplace. According to the DOSH personnel that there is no record of occupational disease and work-related accidents related to nanotechnology per se. In relation to the risk assessment and management activities, most of the respondents from the nanotechnology-based manufacturer indicated that there is no nanotechnology risk assessment and management practices being executed in their workplace. Most of them also concluded that they have no knowledge about the latest guideline published by the DOSH on control and safe handling of nanomaterials in the workplace.

Occupational Health and Safety Risk Assessment of Nano Workplaces In Malaysia

“…There is no evidence in any of the nano workplaces that employees' health complications are monitored in relation to their working conditions. Ismail and his colleagues revealed in their 2019 research that there are no health and accident reports for nano workers, which supported their conclusions (Ismail et al, 2019). In the same vein, the importance of medical monitoring should be emphasized because it is one of the most effective methods for assessing health threats and dangers in the workplace.…”

“…6 Nanotechnology policymakers and government regulators aware about the complexity of nanotechnology's structure and functioning in order to bridge and create possibilities for cross-departmental communication and cooperation 7 To improve the existing DOSH guideline and standard operating procedures (SOP) in terms of more comprehensive concepts, so that it can address implementation steps in the NMs health risk assessment procedure. 8 To establish a specific department to supervise and resolve nano employees' health issues in nanotechnology workplaces. 9 To establish a specific rule and policy for nanotechnology related to safety and health as currently, all rules and clauses are categorized under chemicals.…”

“…It should be noted that one of the benefits of having a dynamic policy is that it can function as a feed forward component for covering and updating the current DOSH guideline. Ismail et al (2019) report that the majority of Malaysian nano platforms still lack clarity on the presentation of DOSH rules. This study also said that there is currently no risk assessment and management in nano workplaces, and possible threats are only analyzed from a broad perspective.…”

Adoption of the Precautionary Principle on the Safety and Health Risks of Nanofood in Malaysia

“…The existing legislation designed before nanotechnology development or without considering nanomaterials' unique and novel properties is insufficient. Labelling and risk assessment are two precautionary measures that may help prevent and minimize nanotechnology risks (Ismail et al, 2019).…”