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

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

Lion courses always set the bar for content, reference, and practical application. Membership and access to the experts is an added bonus.

John Brown, CSP

Director of Safety & Env Affairs

Excellent job. Made what is very dry material interesting. Thoroughly explained all topics in easy-to-understand terms.

David Hertvik

Vice President

I have been to other training companies, but Lion’s material is much better and easier to understand.

Mark Abell

Regional Manager

The instructor did an excellent job presenting a very dry subject; keeping everyone interested and making it enjoyable.

Marc Bugg

Hazardous Waste Professional

As always, Lion never disappoints

Paul Resley

Environmental Coordinator

This is a very informative training compared to others. It covers everything I expect to learn and even a lot of new things.

Quatama Jackson

Waste Management Professional

Best instructor ever! I was going to take my DOT training w/a different provider, but based on this presentation, I will also be doing my DOT training w/Lion!

Donna Moot

Hazardous Waste Professional

I have over 26 years of environmental compliance experience, and it has been some time since I have attended an environmental regulations workshop. I attended this course as preparation for EHS Audits for my six plants, and it was exactly what I was looking for.

Frank Sizemore

Director of Regulatory Affairs

The instructor clearly enjoys his job and transmits that enthusiasm. He made a dry subject very interesting and fun.

Teresa Arellanes

EHS Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

This guide will help you identify 25 of the most -cited errors in RCRA training, recordkeeping, hazardous waste ID, container management, universal waste, and laboratories.

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.