The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)  issued a direct final rule (DFR) clarifying aspects of the beryllium standard for general industry as it applies to processes, operations, or areas where workers may be exposed to materials containing less than 0.1% beryllium by weight. The Final Rule clarifies the definitions of Beryllium Work Area, emergency, dermal contact, and beryllium contamination.  It also clarifies provisions for disposal and recycling, and provisions that the Agency intends to apply only where skin can be exposed to materials containing at least 0.1% beryllium by weight. The direct final rule became effective on July 6, 2018. The element beryllium is a grey metal that is stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum. Its physical properties of great strength-to-weight, high melting point, excellent thermal stability and conductivity, reflectivity, and transparency to X-rays make it an essential material in the aerospace, telecommunications, information technology, defense, medical, and nuclear industries. Update: 8/8/2018  The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today issued a final rule to extend the compliance date for specific ancillary requirements of the general industry beryllium standard to Dec. 12, 2018. This extension affects provisions for methods of compliance, beryllium work areas, regulated areas, personal protective clothing and equipment, hygiene facilities and practices, housekeeping, communication of hazards, and recordkeeping. This compliance date extension does not affect the compliance dates for other requirements of the general industry beryllium standard. ——————————————————————————————————— Cassie Lee is an Account Manager and Business Development Professional with over a decade of experience in environmental consulting.  You can reach her at clee@corner-enviro.com or 317-983-1719 with any questions or for assistance on testing your indoor air quality.