OSHA issues final rule to lower beryllium levels

A new rule issued by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) dramatically lowers workplace exposure to beryllium, a material that can cause 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 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 then be 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 (PELs), which were based on decades-old studies.

The final rule will reduce the eight-hour PEL from the previous level of 2.0 micrograms/cubic meter to 0.2 microgram/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. It also establishes a short-term exposure limit of 2.0 micrograms/cubic meter over a 15-min. 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. 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 standards' provisions. Employers must provide the required change rooms and showers beginning two years after the effective date.

The final rule is available at federalregister.gov/d/2016-30409.