«SCAFFOLD: Innovative strategies, methods and tools for occupational risks management of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) in the construction industry» (funded by EC: GA 280535, FP7-NMP-2011-SMALL-5) [2012-2015]

Manufactured nanomaterials and nanocomposites have various uses in the construction industry and related infrastructure industries, not only for enhancing material properties and functionalities, but also in the context of energy conservation. Occupational exposure to these materials may be accidentally or incidentally produced at different stages of the construction industry life cycle. Due to the novelty, these same nano-products might pose new health and safety risks to the worker on‐site.

Despite the potential risks, the use of nano-products in the construction industry is a reality and can be expected to grow in the near future (Technology is always working ahead of risk). Consequently, there is a general uncertainty with respect to health and safety risks and how to properly manage them to protect workers and be in compliance with OHS legislation. This calls for a new approach for dealing with uncertainties, providing construction companies with new strategies, methods and tools to appropriately manage these emerging risks.

The SCAFFOLD project collected, reviewed and analysed relevant quantitative and qualitative information and data on current strategies, methods and tools for workers protection against MNMs (WP1), in order to identify needs and gaps for proper risk management.

Four main topics were analysed: Risk prevention (MNMs safe design, safe design of manufacturing processes, etc.), Risk assessment (occupational exposure and toxicology, measurement equipment and procedures, exposure limit values, etc.), Risk protection and control (filtration, PPEs, etc.) and finally Risk management (safety management models, tools, implementation level, work procedures, “good practices”, risk communication, etc.).

Project website: http://scaffold.eu-vri.eu/

Cordis URL: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/280535