Nanotechnology: Assessing Awareness and Training Needs Among California Construction Trades

Details

• Personal Author:
  Boatman L ; Chaplan D
• Description:
  Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the current understanding and use of nanotechnology applications in heavy industrial/commercial construction among union leaders, apprenticeship program staff and employers. Our specific goal was to survey representatives from a cross-section of California construction trades to determine to what extent they are aware of nanotechnology, if they have received or delivered training related to nanotechnology, if they recognize any nano-enabled products listed in the "eLCOSH Construction Nanomaterials Inventory" (eLCOSH Inventory) and their perception of potential benefits or concerns about use of nanotechnology in construction. This study relates to NIOSH's NORA Construction Sector Strategic Goal #11, which covers building recognition and awareness of construction hazards and the means for controlling them by strengthening and extending the reach of quality training and education in the construction industry. Information gathered through our online survey and key informant processes specifically addresses Subgoals 11.1 (construction safety and health training needs assessment) and 11.2 (surveying current training programs about gaps in training on this topic). Methodology: We collected feedback from our target audience through a 31-question on-line survey and 21 follow-up key informant phone interviews with a subset of survey respondents. Our goal was to obtain 100 survey responses; we actually received 253 completed surveys to include in our evaluation. It was a priority that we obtain feedback from a cross-section of crafts. Participants were asked to identify their affiliation from a list of 25 crafts; all but one of these crafts (Pile Drivers) were represented through completed surveys. We selected 21 key informant subjects based upon one or more of the following criteria present in their survey responses: recognition of nanotechnology terms; having either received or delivered training related to nanotechnology; indicating worker or environmental safety concerns related to nano-enabled materials; on-the-job experience with nano-enabled construction materials; recognition of products from the eLCOSH Inventory. Interview length averaged 23 minutes (range: 9-46 minutes) per subject. Additionally, we conducted phone interviews with 5 individuals from 4 California government agencies; each interview took 30-60 minutes. Key Findings: 1. Knowledge and Awareness: While there was far greater interest in participating in this study than we originally anticipated, the level of understanding-both defining key terms and how nanotechnology may pose risks to workers in the construction industry-is quite shallow. Survey respondents and key informants voiced concern about this new technology; respondents could see the potential benefits that nanotechnology could bring to construction, but their past experience with products like asbestos and silica made them question whether long-term consequences may exist. For many, this survey was their first introduction to nanotechnology, particularly as it pertains to construction. The survey itself sparked in many participants an interest to learn more. 2. Knowledge of materials listed in eLCOSH Inventory: Reviewing the 500-plus product list generated interest and raised awareness of nanotechnology and could be a useful tool if used more broadly. However, given our small sample size, and the fact that some of the entries on the inventory were very generic, we really weren't able to draw too many conclusions. 3. Current status of training: Comprehensive nanotechnology training is virtually non-existent. Barely 2% of survey participants had received training and most of these were Insulators who were being trained by a product manufacturer on proper techniques for applying the product rather than understanding the nano-enabled aspects of the material. However, the majority of study participants were interested in being trained about nanotechnology and believe it would be of value to construction workers. 4. Government agency monitoring, control, and information: There was a surge of public sector activity around nanotechnology over the last 15 years, but this seems to have slowed now that the initial wave of funding and research has run its course. Two California agencies have the potential to gather information from nanomaterial manufacturers and make that information public, however neither is doing anything with nanomaterials at this time. They have some products on a watch list, but need more data to raise those to the action phase. Recommendations: A strategic plan to increase awareness and improve understanding of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in the construction industry must include a combination of research, outreach, training, and stakeholder collaboration. Information gaps need to be filled; the most basic first step is to develop clear and agreed-upon definitions of the terminology related to nanotechnology. Data are needed about how nanomaterials are currently being used in construction, the exposures workers are experiencing and the subsequent risks they face of potential health effects. Collaboration with public agencies, researchers, manufacturers, trainers and end-users is essential to accomplishing these goals. Additional steps include developing a multi-craft training curriculum that includes the use of video and utilizing the eLCOSH Inventory as both an awareness tool and a way to learn more about products currently in use. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Construction Industry Education Occupational Health Safety Staff Development
• Keywords:
  Construction Industry Construction Workers Cross Sectional Studies Nanotechnology Training Training Research
• Publisher:
  CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Report
• Place as Subject:
  California ; Maryland ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-134
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20057580
• Citation:
  Silver Spring, MD: CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training, 2018 May; :1-134
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2018
• NORA Priority Area:
  Construction
• Performing Organization:
  CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, Silver Spring, Maryland
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20090901
• Source Full Name:
  Nanotechnology: assessing awareness and training needs among California construction trades
• End Date:
  20240831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:6d6701439b66f20ca52018120dbaf1c9b284f03b13dc96c9ebaa21ae6f8d9268c4443d6abdb4f19b438dc0e625259521a7b4e1fc1df4bd8d38dede8c362fa956
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214868/cdc_214868_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.56 MB ]