Search

Final Rule: OSHA Amends Beryllium Exposure Standard and PEL

Posted on 1/9/2017 by Roger Marks

New OSHA PEL for berylliumIn the Federal Register on January 9, 2017, OSHA published a Final Rule to amend its occupational exposure standard for beryllium and beryllium compounds. This Final Rule, which lowers the permissible exposure limit for beryllium and beryllium compounds and adds requirements for employers in general industry, shipyards, and construction, is effective March 10, 2017.
 
Read the Final Rule in the Federal Register here. 


New OSHA Beryllium Exposure Limits

 
The long awaited Final Rule lowers the permissible exposure limits (PELs) for beryllium and beryllium compounds, as follows:
 
8-hour time-weighted average (TWA): 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air (0.2 microgram/m3
 
Short-term (15 minute) exposure limit: 2 micrograms per cubic meter of air (2 micrograms/m3)
 
Before this rulemaking, the PEL values were 2 micrograms 8-hour TWA and 25 micrograms for 30-minute short exposures.
 

Three Separate Beryllium Standards

 
In addition to the amended PEL, OSHA is issuing three separate beryllium exposure standards to account for different circumstances found in general industry, shipyards, and construction.
 
While separate, the general industry, shipyard, and construction standards for beryllium exposure are similar in many ways and include requirements for:
 
  • Beryllium exposure assessment
  • Beryllium exposure control methods
  • Respiratory protection and PPE
  • Employee training and recordkeeping
  • Rules for medical surveillance
  • Hazard communication
 

What Is a Beryllium Work Area?

 
In the Final Rule, OSHA defines a “Beryllium Work Area” as “Work areas containing a process or operation that can release beryllium where employees are, or can reasonably be expected to be, exposed to airborne beryllium at any level.” This expanded definition includes work areas where employees may be exposed to skin contact with airborne beryllium.
 
 

What Is Beryllium and Why Is It Hazardous?

 
Beryllium (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%, which today’s Final Rule does.
 

History of the OSHA Beryllium Final Rule

 
Around 1999, the United Steel Workers petitioned OSHA to issue a standard that protects workers exposed to beryllium in the workplace. In 2002, OSHA requested information from industry and concerned parties about the risks, current exposure control methods for beryllium, employee training, and more.
 
A Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) review was completed in 2008, and scientific and economic peer reviews were subsequently completed.
 
OSHA’s proposed occupational exposure to beryllium Rule was sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in September 2014, and review was completed on July 7, 2015. The proposed rule appeared in the Federal Register in August 2015. The Final Rule was published on January 9 and takes effect on March 10, 2017.
.

Effective OSHA Online Safety Training

 
From hazard communication to HAZWOPER, respiratory protection, lithium battery safety and more, protect employees with effective, up-to-date online OSHA safety training. Designed to help meet OSHA safety training standards in 29 CFR, these courses prepare your workers to identify and mitigate the hazards they face at work.
 
Find courses that are right for your workers and your facility at Lion.com/OSHA-Training.
 

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

Lion's course was superior to others I have taken in the past. Very clear in the presentation and the examples helped to explain the content presented.

George Bersik

Hazardous Waste Professional

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

Rebecca Saxena

Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist

I have attended other training providers, but Lion is best. Lion is king of the hazmat jungle!!!

Henry Watkins

Hazardous Waste Technician

This training broke down the regulations in an easy-to-understand manner and made them less overwhelming. I now feel I have the knowledge to make more informed decisions.

Amanda Oswald

Shipping Professional

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

Marc Bugg

Hazardous Waste Professional

The instructor took a rather drab set of topics and brought them to life with realistic real-life examples.

Tom Berndt

HSE Coordinator

This course went above my expectations from the moment I walked in the door. The instructor led us through two days packed with useful compliance information.

Rachel Stewart

Environmental Manager

Excellent course. Very interactive. Explanations are great whether you get the questions wrong or right.

Gregory Thompson

Environmental, Health & Safety Regional Manager

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

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Your hazmat paperwork is the first thing a DOT inspector will ask for during an inspection. From hazmat training records to special permits, make sure your hazmat documents are in order.

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.