Abstract
Abstract
Nanotechnology is a recent development within construction, however, exposure to nanomaterials entails exposure to emerging hazards and risk, which is exacerbated by the limited knowledge pertaining thereto. A quantitative survey was conducted among medium to large sized general contractors, and architects in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. The salient findings include: architects and contractors specify and use nanomaterials during the construction process; architects follow ‘designing for safety’ practice to a limited extent; contractors conduct the necessary training, inform their employees of the potential hazards related to the use of nanomaterials, implement safe application techniques when working with nanomaterials, issue employees with the necessary PPE to carry out the work safely, and generally do not analyse the characteristics of materials to a major extent, but do analyse material safety data sheets (MSDSs). Conclusions include: there is a low level of awareness and knowledge with respect to nanomaterials; the responding architects are barely committed to construction H&S; responding contractors are committed to H&S, and there is a need for research to determine the healthiest and safest methods of using nanomaterials. It is recommended that designers and contractors should enhance their awareness of and knowledge pertaining to nanomaterials, including the hazards and risks.