In the realm of workers' safety, WorCover Queensland addresses the applicability of workplace hazardous chemicals legislation to engineered nanoparticles. Certain instances may lead to the classification of engineered nanoparticles or materials as hazardous chemicals under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. This classification is based on the physicochemical properties of the actual nanomaterial and/or those of the parent materials.

Even though the legislation doesn't explicitly mention nanomaterials, it specifically deals with substances classified as hazardous chemicals, regardless of their size, shape, or physical state. If nanomaterials fall under the hazardous chemicals classification, various individuals bear workplace obligations:

• Manufacturers must ensure that substances are manufactured to be safe, to the extent reasonably practicable, when used as intended.
• Suppliers must ensure that substances supplied to research laboratories and workplaces are safe, to the extent reasonably practicable, when used as intended.
• Employers must establish and uphold a working environment that prioritizes safety.
• Workers must adhere to occupational health and safety requirements, safeguarding their well-being and that of others affected by their work.