In July 2020, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a final rule revising the beryllium standard for general industry. The agency estimates that about 62,000 workers are exposed to toxic beryllium in their workplaces.  This final rule only covers the approximately 50,500 who work in general industry.  The additional 11,500 are construction and shipyard workers. OSHA also is separately acting on revisions to the beryllium standards for them. Key Changes The general industry revisions include:

• Permissible exposure limit (PEL) for beryllium is lowered to 0.2 µg/m³, averaged over 8-hours.
• Short-term exposure limit for beryllium is lowered to 2.0 µg/m³, over a 15-minute sampling period.
• Employers required to:
  • use engineering and work practice controls (such as ventilation or enclosure);
  • provide respirators when engineering or work practice controls cannot adequately limit exposure;
  • limit worker access to high-exposure areas;
  • provide wash facilities and change rooms;
  • provide showers for levels above the PEL or STEL;
  • develop a written exposure control plan; and
  • train workers on beryllium hazards.
• Employers are required to provide medical surveillance to monitor exposed workers and provides medical removal protection benefits to workers identified with a beryllium-related disease.

Background Beryllium and beryllium compounds are important materials used in the aerospace, electronics, energy, telecommunication, medical, and defense industries. However, beryllium is a highly toxic metal and workers who inhale beryllium are at an increased risk of developing lung diseases and cancer. In construction and shipyards, exposure to beryllium primarily occurs when coal slags that contain trace amounts of beryllium are used in sandblasting. The Timeline In December 2018 OSHA determined that the current PEL for beryllium was both outdated and ineffective for preventing disease and proposed a new standard. The agency stated that a consensus had developed around the science supporting the need for greater protection for workers and that the technology for most employers to meet new standards is widely available and feasible.  The rule was finalized in July 2020 and the regulated community has until September 14, 2020 to come into full compliance. How can Cornerstone help? Cornerstone can provide initial monitoring to assess 8-hour time-weighted average exposures and short-term (15 minute) exposures.  If monitoring results indicate a need to reduce exposure, Cornerstone can provide the periodic monitoring required by the standard and assist with developing engineering and work practice controls to reduce exposure to beryllium.  If such controls are insufficient or not feasible, Cornerstone can assist in the development of a respiratory protection program and respirator fit-testing.   Contact us to get started at info@corner-enviro or (317) 733-2637. To read the OSHA final rule: click here