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Beryllium and beryllium compounds are used in the aerospace, electronics, energy, telecom, medical, and defense industries. Beryllium is a highly toxic metal, and workers who inhale it are at a greater risk of chronic beryllium disease or lung cancer. Most workers affected are exposed in general industry operations such as beryllium metal/ceramic production. Standards apply to work exposure to beryllium in general industry, with some exceptions.
This standard applies to occupational exposure to beryllium in all forms, compounds, and mixtures in general industry, except the articles and materials specifically exempted. Exemptions are: (a) articles, as defined at 1910.1200(c), that contain beryllium and that the employer does not process; and (b) materials containing less than 0.1 percent beryllium by weight where the employer has objective data demonstrating that employee exposure to beryllium will remain below the action level as an 8-hour time-weighted average under any foreseeable conditions. Editor’s Note: On July 14, 2020, OSHA published revisions to 29 CFR 1910.1024. The agency also published “Interim Enforcement Guidance” on April 21, 2021.
The employer must: