Search

OSHA May Revoke Some Parts of Its Beryllium Final Rule

Posted on 6/27/2017 by Roger Marks

OSHA this week proposed revoking the “ancillary provisions” for the construction and shipyard sectors adopted in a January 2017 Final Rule to revise the beryllium workplace exposure standard. OSHA will not revoke the new, lower permissible exposure limits (PELs) for beryllium and beryllium compounds.

Note that OSHA has not proposed to change any part of the Final Rule that relates to employees in general industry workplaces, only those provisions that impact the construction and shipyard sectors.

The January Final Rule lowered the PELs for beryllium and beryllium compounds to the following levels:
 
  • An 8-hour time-weight average (TWA) of 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air (0.2 microgram/m3); and
  • A short-term, 15-minute exposure limit of 2 micrograms per cubic meter of air (2 micrograms/m3).
Again, OSHA has no plan to revoke or change the new, lower permissible exposure limit (PEL) or the short term exposure limit (STEL) for beryllium and beryllium compounds finalized in January.


Why Did OSHA Propose Revoking the Ancillary Provisions?

beryllium.jpgOSHA now believes the ancillary provisions in the January Final Rule—which set additional requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE), exposure assessments, exposure control methods, medical surveillance requirements, and rules for hazard communication, employee training, and recordkeeping—may be unnecessary for the construction and shipyard sectors.

As OSHA explains in its proposal, a number of existing safety standards already provide protection for employees who perform the “blasting” work that most commonly exposes workers to beryllium in the construction and shipyard sectors. OSHA makes specific reference to the ventilation standard at 29 CFR 1926.57 and the standard for mechanical paint removers at 29 CFR 1915.34.


OSHA Wants Your Comments

OSHA is requesting public comments on its proposal to eliminate the ancillary provisions in the beryllium Final Rule for the shipyard and construction sectors. Specifically, OSHA poses the question—“What is the incremental benefit if OSHA keeps the medical surveillance requirement… but revokes the other ancillary provisions? Alternatively, should OSHA keep some of the medical surveillance requirements for construction and shipyard but not others?”

OSHA is also considering granting a one-year extension of the January Final Rule deadline for construction and shipyard employers. Check out OSHA’s proposal for details about how and where to submit your comments


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.
 
 

Tags: 29CFR, beryllium, exposure, osha, PEL

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The instructor was probably the best I ever had! He made the class enjoyable, was humorous at times, and very knowledgeable.

Mary Sue Michon

Environmental Administrator

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

No comparison. Lion has the best RCRA training ever!!

Matt Sabine

Environmental Specialist

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

David Hertvik

Vice President

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

I can take what I learned in this workshop and apply it to everyday work and relate it to my activities.

Shane Hersh

Materials Handler

Lion's information is very thorough and accurate. Presenter was very good.

Melissa Little

Regulatory 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

Very good. I have always appreciated the way Lion Tech develops, presents and provides training and materials.

John Troy

Environmental Specialist

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

Rebecca Saxena

Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Get to know the top 5 changes to OSHA’s revised GHS Hazard Communication Standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200 and how the updates impacts employee safety at your facility.

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.