OSHA proposes new beryllium level standards

August 13th, 2015 by Dakota Software Staff Industry News

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the federal government has proposed a new standard for  acceptable beryllium exposure. This level has not been adjusted since 1971 and was originally outlined in 1948 by the Atomic Energy Commission. Beryllium has been known to cause lung disease in workers exposed to it for several decades. The standard currently in place allows for exposure to 2 micrograms of beryllium per cubic meter of air for eight continuous hours. Anything above that limit would be unfit for workers, and employers would have to take steps to reduce the levels at lease to the 2 microgram threshold. 

According to EHS Today, the new standards would reduce this amount by 90 percent, from 2 micrograms per eight hours to 0.2 micrograms per eight hours. EHS Today reported Assistant Secretary of Labor David Michaels said during a teleconference that updating the standards was long overdue. The proposal process was started by the United Steelworkers and Materion, the country's largest producer of beryllium, in 2012. Materion and United Steelworkers brought up the standards to OSHA and expressed the need to improve them. 

EHS Today reported United Steelworkers President, Leo Gerard, said during the teleconference that technology, science and employers' commitment to their workers has improved in the last 40 years, meaning it was beyond time for an update to the standards. OSHA commended both the United Steelworker and Materion for coming forward and suggesting that the outdated standards be updated. 

"This collaboration of industry and labor presents a historic opportunity to protect the lives and lungs of thousands of beryllium-exposed workers," Michaels said to EHS Today. "We hope other industries where workers are exposed to deadly substances join with unions and other organizations representing those workers to reduce exposures, prevent diseases and save lives."

Environmental health and safety standards are an extremely important part of any workplace and compliance with OSHA standards is equally important. Keeping compliant can be difficult, but with EHS compliance software it's easier than it has been in the past.

New standards will reduce worker illness and deaths
It is estimated by OSHA that the new standards proposed will prevent close to 100 deaths per year and reduce the number of beryllium related illnesses by 50 per year. Most of the illnesses and deaths in the past occurred in foundry and smelting operations, machining beryllium products, composite manufacturing and beryllium oxide ceramic operations. These working environments will become much safer under the newly proposed standards. 

While the rules will likely be updated soon, OSHA is letting industry leaders, stakeholders and others make comments on what is proposed. The comments and suggestions will be used to make the standards right for everyone involved. The proposal has been published in the Federal Register and comments will be collected on the issue until November 9.