Innovative strategies, methods and tools for occupational risks management of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) in the construction industry

Manufacturated nanomaterials and nanocomposites are being considered for various uses in the construction industry and related infrastructure industries, not only for enhancing material properties and functions but also in the context of energy conservation. Despite the current relatively high cost of nano-enabled products, their use in construction materials is likely to increase because of highly valuable properties imparted at relatively low additive ratios, rapid development of new applications and decreasing cost of base MNMs as they are produced in larger quantities. Thus the use of nano-products in the construction industry is a reality and can be expected to grow in the near future. 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. SCAFFOLD is an industrial oriented idea specifically addressed to provide practical, robust, easy-to-use and cost effective solutions for the European construction industry, regarding current uncertainties about occupational exposure to MNMs. This will be achieved by introducing a new paradigm to improve workers protection against NMs in construction, based on a novel holistic Risk Management approach (RMM). The aim of the SCAFFOLD project is to develop, test, validate and disseminate a new holistic, consistent and cost effective Risk Management Model (RMM) to manage occupational exposure to MNMs in the construction sector. This will be done by integration of a set of innovative strategies, methods and tools developed by the project into consistent state-of-the-art safety management systems (OHSAS 18001 + ISO31000).