January 2017

Earlier this month, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a final rule which revised exposure limit for beryllium.  Beryllium is used in many industries, including electronics, telecommunications, construction, medical and defense industries.

The new standard reduces the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for beryllium to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/ m3 ) averaged over 8 hours, and establishes a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for beryllium of 2.0 µg/m3 over a 15-minute sampling period. Employers must use engineering and work practice controls to prevent excessive beryllium from becoming airborne where workers can breathe it in.

The ATS submitted comments to OSHA in support of a more protective standard.  The ATS comments noted the significant respiratory health risks associated with beryllium exposure and supported OSHA's proposal for medical monitoring.