Industrial Hygiene

OSHA Seeks Input for Beryllium Exposure Requirements

Oct. 8, 2019

Proposal to protect workers in shipyards and construction.

OSHA's new proposed rule is aimed at clearifying the requirements to protect workers from shipyards and construction from beryllium exposure.

The agency is seeking feedback to more appropriately tailor the requirements of the standards to the exposures in these industries.

The proposal ensures consistency with the general industry standard where appropriate based on a July 2017 final rule clarifying certain requirements with respect to materials containing only trace amounts of beryllium. The proposed changes would maintain safety and health protections for workers, while facilitating compliance with the standards, and yielding some cost savings.

The proposed rule would revise the following paragraphs: Definitions; Methods of Compliance; Respiratory Protection; Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment; Hygiene Areas and Practices; Housekeeping; Medical Surveillance; Hazard Communication; and Recordkeeping. The proposal also sets a hearing date for December 3, 2019. OSHA will continue enforcement of the permissible exposure limit.

Comments, materials, and other information may be submitted electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, by facsimile or mail. See the Federal Register notice for submission details.

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.