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U.S. Department of Labor | Jan. 6, 2017
WASHINGTON – A new rule issued today by the U.S.
Department of Labor’s Occupational
Safety and Health Administration dramatically lowers workplace exposure to beryllium, a strategically
important material that can cause devastating lung diseases. The new beryllium
standards for general industry, construction and shipyards will require
employers to take additional, practical measures to protect an estimated 62,000
workers from these serious risks.
Beryllium is a
strong, lightweight metal used in the aerospace, electronics, energy,
telecommunication, medical and defense industries. However, it is highly toxic
when beryllium-containing materials are processed in a way that releases
airborne beryllium dust, fume, or mist into the workplace air that can be then
inhaled by workers, potentially damaging their lungs.
Recent scientific evidence shows that low-level exposures to
beryllium can cause serious lung disease. The new rule revises previous
beryllium permissible exposure limits, which were based on decades-old studies.
“Outdated exposure limits do not adequately protect workers
from beryllium exposure,” said Assistant Secretary of
Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “OSHA’s new
standard is based on a strong foundation of science and consensus on the need
for action, including peer-reviewed scientific evidence, a model standard
developed by industry and labor, current consensus standards and extensive
public outreach. The new limits will reduce exposures and protect the lives and
lungs of thousands of beryllium-exposed workers.”
The final rule will reduce the eight-hour permissible
exposure limit from the previous level of 2.0 micrograms per cubic meter to 0.2
micrograms per cubic meter. Above that level, employers must take steps to
reduce the airborne concentration of beryllium. The rule requires additional
protections, including personal protective equipment, medical exams, other
medical surveillance and training, as well. It also establishes a short-term
exposure limit of 2.0 micrograms per cubic meter over a 15-minute sampling
period.
OSHA estimates that – once in full effect – the rule will annually
save the lives of 94 workers from beryllium-related diseases and prevent 46 new
cases of beryllium-related disease. Workers in foundry and smelting operations,
fabricating, machining, grinding beryllium metal and alloys, beryllium oxide
ceramics manufacturing and dental lab work represent the majority of those at
risk.
Beryllium exposure is also a concern in other industries. Employees
handling fly ash residue from the coal-burning process in coal-fired power
plants risk beryllium exposure. In the construction and shipyard industries,
abrasive blasters and their helpers may be exposed to beryllium from the use of
slag blasting abrasives. Work done in these operations may cause high dust
levels and significant beryllium exposures despite the low beryllium content.
To give employers sufficient time to meet the requirements
and put proper protections in place, the rule provides staggered compliance
dates. Once the rule is effective, employers have one year to implement most of
the standard’s provisions. Employers must provide the required change rooms and
showers beginning two years after the effective date. Employers are also required
to implement the engineering controls beginning three years after the effective
date of the standards.
The final rule is available today at the Federal Register here.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970,
employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their
employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America's working men
and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education
and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
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Media Contact:
Mandy McClure, 202-693-4672, mcclure.amanda.c@dol.gov
Release Number: 17-8-NAT
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