Do You Fall Within the New Beryllium Standard

Does your team work with beryllium on your job site? If so, then you’re not alone. In fact, about 62,000 workers are currently exposed to beryllium in their workplaces. That means that nearly 62,000 people are at risk for lung damage, heightened allergen sensitivity, and even cancer. And, hundreds upon thousands of workplaces are in danger of being fined and/or shut down by OSHA because they are not in compliance with the new beryllium standard.

Last Friday, the amendments to OSHA’s new beryllium standard for general industry went into effect. The direct final rule (DFR) addresses concerns that the rule did not separate standards between skin contact and breathable beryllium.

The Standard’s Effects on Workplace Safety

Since the DFR was release on May 7, 2018, the agency has not faced any challenges. The rule updated definitions, and also clarified the proper recycling and disposal procedures.

Thomas Galassi, director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, released a memo on June 21 stating that the agency is only enforcing the general industry provisions for respiratory protection, exposure assessment, medical removal and medical surveillance. All other provisions are not set to be enforced until Aug. 9. OSHA projects that this updated rule could save 90 lives from beryllium-related disease each year, and prevent 46 new cases of chronic beryllium disease.

Galassi also stated that provisions for construction and shipyard industries will not be enforced until “further notice.” However, the updated permissible exposure limits (PEL) for every industry is being enforced. The PEL is, averaged over 8 hours, 0.2 micrograms of beryllium per cubic meter of air. The short-term exposure limit is 2 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Those numbers show that the new PEL is about ten times lower than the previous requirement.

Save your company time and money with Worksite Medical®

Worker exposure to hazardous substances such as beryllium can happen quietly and slowly over time. That’s why it’s important, and required, to offer medical surveillance testing to your team. Worksite Medical will come directly to you and test your workers for exposure and other health issues. Our mobile medical units staffed by licensed physicians bring all of the resources of a lab to your job site, which will not only limit your risk, but save you from lost production. You’ll keep your team safe and your company compliant, and we will be there to help you create the right medical plan.

Schedule your visit today. Give Worksite Medical a call at 1-844-OCCUMED, or visit us online.