WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) confirmed in a memorandum
today that it will begin enforcing certain requirements of the final rule on
occupational exposure to beryllium in general industry, construction, and shipyards
on May 11, 2018. Those requirements include the permissible exposure limits in
the general industry, construction, and shipyard standards; and the exposure
assessment, respiratory protection, medical surveillance, and medical removal provisions
in the general industry standard.
Aside from these
requirements, other ancillary provisions included in the beryllium standard for
general industry will not be enforced until June 25, 2018. However, under the
terms of settlement agreements with petitioners who challenged the rule, the
Agency plans to issue a proposal to further extend this compliance date for the
ancillary provisions to Dec. 12, 2018.
OSHA previously
proposed to remove the ancillary requirements from the beryllium standards for
the construction and maritime industries.
In accordance with that proposal, OSHA will enforce the permissible
exposure limits, but will not enforce any other provisions for beryllium
exposure in those standards unless it provides notice.
Certain compliance
dates outlined in the rule remain unchanged. Enforcement of the general
industry requirements for change rooms and showers will begin March 11, 2019;
and requirements for engineering controls will begin March 10, 2020.
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 ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by
setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.
For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
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