9 September 2010
Safe Work Australia Chair, Mr Tom Phillips, today officially opened the Nanotechnology Work Health and Safety Symposium at Parliament House, Canberra.
The two-day symposium will bring together leading nanotechnology researchers to present findings from commissioned projects under the Nanotechnology Work Health and Safety Program, implemented by Safe Work Australia.
The symposium will feature presentations and panel discussions focussing on the implications of the research findings and options for addressing issues in nanotechnology with a particular focus on exposure risks and effective prevention methods to control exposure to nanomaterials.
Safe Work Australia works in collaboration with the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, which is responsible for the coordination of the National Enabling Technologies Strategy.
The Nanotechnology Work Health and Safety Program supports this strategy and provides a whole of government approach to policy development, regulation and public engagement in international efforts to address nanotechnology work health and safety issues.
Mr Phillips said that this symposium will provide the opportunity for discussion and collaboration on the development of strategies to help better protect the health and safety of people working with nanomaterials.
“By progressing methods to reduce the risk posed by the use of nanomaterials and assessing exposure levels, we can work towards building a safer working environment and a safer community.
“Safe Work Australia is continuing to facilitate research on hazard properties and applications of engineered nanomaterials to contribute towards national and global research efforts in addressing this work health and safety issue.” said Mr Phillips.