Beryllium Enforcement Timeline

Now that the Beryllium Standard has been finalized, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is beginning to enforce certain requirements of the new rule. The administration announced in a memorandum on May 11, 2018, that it would begin implementing the permissible exposure limits in general industry, construction, and shipyard standards. OSHA will also enforce the exposure assessment, respiratory protection, medical surveillance, and medical removal provisions in the general industry standard.

Currently, the other ancillary provisions included in the standard for general industry will not be enforced until June 25, 2018. However, due to settlement agreements with the petitioners who have challenged the rule — OSHA plans to extend this compliance deadline until Dec. 12, 2018.

OSHA Could Remove Ancillary Provisions

The administration is still considering a proposal to remove the ancillary provisions of the rule for construction and maritime industries. Until it provides notice, OSHA will only enforce the permissible exposure limits for these industries.

The rule outlined several other compliance dates that remain unchanged. The general industry requirements for changing rooms and showers will not begin until March 11, 2017. Requirements for engineering controls will begin on March 10, 2020.

OSHA Inspections & Medical Surveillance Testing

Is your jobsite in compliance for your next OSHA inspection? The best place to start is with a medical surveillance program. Not only can this help detect problem areas that need to be addressed — proper medical surveillance is also required under the new general industry provisions in the Beryllium rule.

Here’s what OSHA expects:

• Employers must make medical surveillance required by §1910.1024(k) available at no cost to the employee, and at a reasonable time and place for each employee:
  • Who is, or is reasonably expected to be, exposed at or above the AL for more than 30 days per year;
  • Who shows signs or symptoms of chronic beryllium disease (CBD) or other beryllium-related health effects;
  • Who is exposed to beryllium during an emergency; and
  • Whose most recent written medical opinion required by §1910.1024(k)(6)-(7) recommends periodic medical surveillance.
• Employers must ensure that all medical examinations and procedures required by §1910.1024(k) are performed by, or under the direction of, a licensed physician.

Here’s what Worksite Medical provides:

• Mobile medical units that come to you to offer onsite testing
• Standalone clinics in Ellwood City, PA and Maryland, MD
• A staff of licensed physicians
• All the resources of a standard lab and more
• Beryllium medical testing
• Respirator fit testing
• And much more! Check out our full list of services

Be prepared for your next OSHA visit. Get in compliance with the new Beryllium Standard by scheduling a visit from a Worksite Medical. Call us today at 1-844-OCCUMED or visit us online to learn more.