OSHA Issues Direct Final Rule on Beryllium Standard

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today issued a direct final rule (DFR) clarifying aspects of the beryllium standard for general industry as it applies to processes, operations, or areas where workers may be exposed to materials containing less than 0.1% beryllium by weight. The DFR clarifies the definitions of Beryllium Work Area, emergency, dermal contact, and beryllium contamination.  It also clarifies provisions for disposal and recycling, and provisions that the Agency intends to apply only where skin can be exposed to materials containing at least 0.1% beryllium by weight. The direct final rule will become effective on July 4, 2018, unless the agency receives significant adverse comments by June 4, 2018. The DFR states:

This DFR amends the text of the beryllium standard for general industry to clarify OSHA’s intent with respect to certain terms in the standard, including the definition of Beryllium Work Area (BWA), the definition of emergency, and the meaning of the terms dermal contact and beryllium contamination. It also clarifies OSHA’s intent with respect to provisions for disposal and recycling and with respect to provisions that the Agency intends to apply only where skin can be exposed to materials containing at least 0.1% beryllium by weight.