OSHA Update: Final Rule to Protect Employees from Beryllium Exposure
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final rule to prevent chronic beryllium disease and lung cancer in American workers by limiting exposure to beryllium and beryllium compounds. The rule contains standards for general industry, construction and shipyards. OSHA estimates the rule will save 90 lives from beryllium-related diseases and prevent 46 new cases of chronic beryllium disease each year, once the effects of the rule are fully realized. The rule is projected to provide new benefits of about $560 million annually. Most works affected by this rule become exposed in general industry operations such as beryllium metal and ceramic production, non-ferrous foundries and fabrication of beryllium alloy products. Responsible employers have been protecting workers from harmful exposure to beryllium for years, using engineering and work practice controls along with personal protective clothing and equipment.
KEY PROVISIONS:
- Reduces the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for beryllium to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air averaged over 8 hours
- Establishes new short-term exposure limit for beryllium of 2.0 micrograms per cubic meter of air over a 15-minute sampling period
- Requires employers to use engineering and work practice controls, such as ventilation or enclosure, to limit worker exposure to beryllium; provide respirators when controls cannot adequately limit exposure; limit worker access to high-exposure areas; develop a written exposure control plan; and train workers on beryllium hazards
- Requires employers to offer medical exams to monitor exposed workers and provide medical removal protection benefits to workers identified with a beryllium-related disease
COMPLIANCE SCHEUDULE:
All three standards contained in the final rule take effect May 20, 2018 (extended from March for further review). Employers must comply with the most elements of the rule within one year from the original effective date. However, employers have an additional year until March 11, 2019, to provide required change rooms and showers, along with an additional two years until March 19, 2020, to implement engineering controls.