Responsible Development of Emerging Technologies: Extensions and Lessons from Nanotechnology for Worker Protection

Objectives This paper identifies approaches to the responsible development of emerging technologies to secure worker safety and health. Methods A retrospective analysis was used to describe the history of the responsible development of worker protection from engineered nanomaterials. Lessons from that history were extended and applied to emerging technologies and illustrated in three examples: advanced manufacturing, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence. Results The same principles used to underpin responsible development of nanotechnology can be applied to emerging technologies. Five criterion actions were identified that embody these principles. Conclusion Responsible development of emerging technologies requires anticipating hazards and risks and ethical issues attendant to them. Occupational and environment health specialists are often called upon to provide guidance on emerging technologies and the approach described here can serve as a basis for that guidance.