UK Nanosafety Group publishes updated guidance on working with nanomaterials

THE UK Nanosafety Group (UKNSG) has launched the third edition of its Working Safely with Nanomaterials in Research and Development guidance.

Established in 2009, the UKNSG provides advice on the safe and responsible handling of nanomaterials in research and development laboratories. The group brings together science safety advisers from higher education, specialists from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL), the Institute of Occupational Medicine and representatives from industry and industry bodies.

The new edition builds on two earlier versions and incorporates changes in legislation, recent findings from the literature and updated best practice since the second edition was published in 2016.

The guidance is aimed at researchers in academia and industry who work, or plan to work, with nanomaterials in laboratory settings. Nanomaterials are defined as substances with at least one dimension below 100 nm. With research into the safe handling and management of these materials continuing to grow, the updated document reflects the latest understanding and recommended practice. It is intended as a useful reference for health and safety managers, laboratory workers and technicians, researchers, and others involved in work involving nanomaterials.

Chair of the UKNSG David Kinnison said the group will now be disbanded having achieved its mission: “The third edition of the guidance has been published to update our previous guidance and include the latest knowledge of safe handling of nanomaterials in an R&D setting. With this publication, the work of the UKNSG is completed and we thank all of our supporters and contributors who have volunteered their time and expertise. We can be proud of the work achieved since the foundation of UKNSG, with previous versions of the guidance being used in labs throughout the UK and the wider world.”

Copies of the third edition can be downloaded without cost and under creative commons licence from https://chemsaf.net/#guidance-notes