SAbyNA D5.2 – Adaptations made to the existing resources for SbD of nanoprocesses, improving their usability

The first step in the H2020 SAbyNA project within WP5 was the compilation, analysis and mapping of existing resources (strategies, models, tools, frameworks, databases, as well as previous outcomes from EU funded projects e.g. NanoReg2, caLIBRAte and GUIDEnano) for the Safety by Design of nanoprocesses. The second step (i.e. T5.2) was to improve the usability of the resources identified and specified previously to facilitate their use and practical implementation by the industry. The activities related to task 5.2 have focused on the improvement of the usability of the most suitable resources from the WP5 Resource Library based on three main criteria:

·        Applicability

·        User-friendliness

·        Robustness

Based on the ranking of the resources according to the assessment by the WP5 experts a selection of 32 documents that were described and for which Usability Cards were prepared for further use in WP6. These gathered resources and the associated guidance provided via the Usability Cards will enable the designer/manufacturer and/or user to perform activities in the field of SbD in nanoprocesses,

1.      Identify potential "hot spots" in processes/nanoprocesses

2.      Conduct risk assessment of the process/nanoprocess in all stages of the life cycle

3.      Identify and select the most appropriate control measures to be implemented by the designer/manufacturer as well as the criteria for its selection:

a.      Inherently safe design measures

b.      safeguarding and complementary protective measures

c.      information for use

4. Identify and select the most appropriate control measures to be implemented and/or by the user as well as the criteria for its selection:

a.      additional safeguards

b.      organization

c.      use of PPEs

d.      training

e.      Health surveillance and other

5. Define the procedures to be used for the validation of the design and operation stages of the nanoprocesses, as well as the procedures for the measurement of impacts:

a.      Environment

b.      OHS, e.g. nanometric aerosol emissions, derived exposures, etc.

It is important to realise that there are many existing standards, guidelines etc that enable the design/modification of processes (using a SbD method) that are not nano-specific but are still fully relevant for a process that includes nanomaterials. These standards can be used as the “backbone” for any nano specific guidelines.