Search

OSHA Extends Beryllium Compliance Dates for Certain General Industry Ancillary Provisions

Posted on 8/10/2018 by Roger Marks

OSHA has published a Final Rule to extend the compliance dates for “certain ancillary requirements” of its beryllium exposure worker protections issued in January 2017. The compliance deadline for ancillary provisions—including requirements for personal protective equipment and clothing, hazard communication, and recordkeeping—is now December 12, 2018.

More updates to OSHA’s beryllium standard are forthcoming. Read on to learn more.


Timeline: OSHA’s New Beryllium Worker Protections (2017-Present)

shutterstock_398771257.jpgThe 2017 Final Rule created new, lower permissible exposure limits (PELs) for beryllium and beryllium compounds; issued three separate beryllium exposure standards for general industry, shipyards, and construction workplaces; and defined a “Beryllium Work Area” to include work areas where employees may be exposed to skin contact with airborne beryllium.

Initially set to take effect in March 2017, the rule was adjusted and enforcement delayed in spring 2017. Enforcement was later delayed again until August 9, 2018.

During this time, OSHA reached a settlement agreement with industry groups concerning the beryllium rule. The settlement required OSHA to publish a Direct Final Rule to clarify some elements of the beryllium rulemaking and propose a second rulemaking to further revise the standard.

In May 2018, OSHA published the Direct Final Rule to make clarifying amendments to the 2017 rule. While OSHA did not change the lowered exposure limits, the Agency did update definitions within the rule for terms including “Beryllium Work Area,” “emergency,” “dermal contact,” and “beryllium contamination” as they apply to general industry facilities.

The delay of the enforcement date of the ancillary provisions until December is intended in part to give OSHA enough time to complete the second proposed rule required by the settlement agreement. The second proposal will make further updates to the beryllium protection standard as outlined in Appendix B of the settlement agreement, available in PDF format here.   

What Is Beryllium and Why Is It Hazardous?

beryllium_exposure_worker.jpgBeryllium (Be) is a periodic element that’s rare in nature. Its light weight and stiffness make it useful in a variety of industries, namely aerospace, nuclear energy, and manufacturing. It’s also frequently found in aluminum, copper, iron, and nickel alloys.

Beryllium is a known carcinogen and can cause chronic and fatal lung diseases, like chronic beryllium disease (berylliosis), pneumonitis, and others. While the former Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for beryllium was already the lowest for any metal, industry groups have long advocated for lowering it by up to 90%, a step OSHA took with its January 2017 Final Rule.

OSHA Training You Can Trust

Protect your employees with expertly designed, convenient OSHA training. Available 24/7, these interactive OSHA safety training courses help employees identify, mitigate, and avoid the hazards in your workplace. Employees who complete OSHA training at Lion.com are ready to make on-the-job decisions that keep themselves and their co-workers safe.


 

Tags: beryllium, chemical hazards, osha, safety training, worker safety

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I love that the instructor emphasized the thought process behind the regs.

Rebecca Saxena

Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist

The instructor was very dedicated to providing a quality experience. She did her best to make sure students were really comprehending the information.

Stephanie Venn

Inventory Control Specialist

These are the best classes I attend each year. I always take something away and implement improvements at my sites.

Kim Racine

EH&S Manager

The workshop covered a lot of information without being too overwhelming. Lion is much better, more comprehensive than other training providers.

George Alva

Manufacturing Manager

Lion's online training is more comprehensive, has better slides, and is a superior training experience than what I would get from other trainers.

Robert Brenner

District Environmental Manager

The course was very informative and presented in a way that was easily understood and remembered. I would recommend this course.

Jeffrey Tierno

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The instructor was excellent. They knew all of the material without having to read from a notepad or computer.

Gary Hartzell

Warehouse Supervisor

The course is well thought out and organized in a way that leads to a clearer understanding of the total training.

David Baily

Hazmat Shipping Professional

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Use this guide to spot which tanks and substances are regulated under EPA's Underground Storage Tank program, and which are excluded as of October 2018.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.