What are the challenges the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and related federal agencies face when allocating limited resources so that worker health and safety go hand in hand with innovation and technical progress? This was the central issue addressed at a workshop on nanotechnology and occupational safety and health hosted by the RAND Corporation on October 17, 2005. The workshop focused on policy and planning issues (as opposed to scientific issues) that are key to understanding the options available to NIOSH in formulating and implementing its strategic objectives to protect the safety and health of workers exposed to nanoscale materials. This document of the conference proceedings draws on discussions during the workshop and places the discussions within a policy framework for further consideration by NIOSH.