EXPLORING THE APPLICATION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH LEGISLATION TO GRAPHENE AS A NANO MATERIAL IN THE MEDICAL SECTOR

Kamal Halili Hassan; Nuraidil Nabilah Arabi

doi:10.31436/iiumlj.v33i1.1047

Authors

Kamal Halili Hassan Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Nuraidil Nabilah Arabi Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31436/iiumlj.v33i1.1047

Keywords:

Graphene, Malaysia, Nanotechnology, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Regulation, Risk Assessment

Abstract

Graphene, renowned for its exceptional thinness and strength, has sparked widespread interest due to its potential applications in medical technology, including drug delivery systems, biosensors, and advanced medical devices. This study aims to critically evaluate the rules and regulations surrounding the use of graphene in Malaysia's medical sector, focusing on the Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standard of Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals (USECHH)) Regulations 2000. Additionally, it examines the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1994 and its 2022 amendments regarding worker exposure to graphene. The current regulatory environment lacks clarity on how graphene should be handled in the workplace, posing a challenge for ensuring worker safety. To address this, the research explores both formal legal regulations ('hard law') and informal guidelines ('soft law') - including nanomaterials guideline - that aim to mitigate the risks associated with graphene exposure. Using a doctrinal qualitative methodology, this study conducts an in-depth legal analysis of existing laws and guidelines. The findings reveal critical gaps in the regulatory framework, particularly in terms of occupational safety standards for graphene. The study underscores the urgent need for updated, more stringent policies to safeguard workers, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on occupational health and safety in emerging technologies.

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Author Biography

Nuraidil Nabilah Arabi, Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,

Nuraidil is a LLB candidate of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

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