MEC&F Expert Engineers : OSHA Issues Direct Final Rule Revising Beryllium Standard for General Industry; Delays Enforcement of Certain Provisions

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

OSHA Issues Direct Final Rule Revising Beryllium Standard for General Industry; Delays Enforcement of Certain Provisions







OSHA Issues Direct Final Rule Revising Beryllium Standard for General Industry; Delays Enforcement of Certain Provisions




On May 4, OSHA issued a direct final rule clarifying aspects of the beryllium standard for general industry as it applies to processes, operations, and areas where workers may be exposed to materials containing less than 0.1% beryllium by weight. The direct final rule will go into effect on July 4 unless OSHA receives significant adverse comments by June 4. For details, see the news release.

OSHA also announced that it will begin enforcing certain requirements of the beryllium final rule, including the permissible exposure limits in the general industry, construction, and shipyard standards; and the exposure assessment, respiratory protection, medical surveillance, and medical removal provisions in the general industry standard.

The agency will delay enforcement of other ancillary provisions for general industry until June 25, 2018. The Agency plans to issue a proposal to further extend this compliance date for the ancillary provisions to Dec. 12, 2018. 


=================


OSHA Trade Release


May 4, 2018
Contact:  Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA Issues Direct Final Rule Revising Beryllium Standard
For General Industry
WASHINGTON, DC – 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 6, 2018, unless the Agency receives significant adverse comments by June 6, 2018.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
=======================


OSHA Trade Release


Date: May 10, 2018
Contact:  Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA Announces Delayed Enforcement
of Certain Provisions of the Beryllium Standard
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) confirmed in a memorandum today that it will begin enforcing certain requirements of the final rule on occupational exposure to beryllium in general industry, construction, and shipyards on May 11, 2018. Those requirements include the permissible exposure limits in the general industry, construction, and shipyard standards; and the exposure assessment, respiratory protection, medical surveillance, and medical removal provisions in the general industry standard.
Aside from these requirements, other ancillary provisions included in the beryllium standard for general industry will not be enforced until June 25, 2018. However, under the terms of settlement agreements with petitioners who challenged the rule, the Agency plans to issue a proposal to further extend this compliance date for the ancillary provisions to Dec. 12, 2018.
OSHA previously proposed to remove the ancillary requirements from the beryllium standards for the construction and maritime industries.  In accordance with that proposal, OSHA will enforce the permissible exposure limits, but will not enforce any other provisions for beryllium exposure in those standards unless it provides notice.
Certain compliance dates outlined in the rule remain unchanged. Enforcement of the general industry requirements for change rooms and showers will begin March 11, 2019; and requirements for engineering controls will begin March 10, 2020.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.