Beryllium for construction activities

Scope

This topic applies to all construction job sites where exposure to beryllium could occur. Workers may be exposed to beryllium by inhaling it from the air or by contact from surfaces. Beryllium has been known to cause chronic illness such as lung disease and cancer; therefor, workers must be protected.

Regulatory citations

• 29 CFR 1926.55 — Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists
• 29 CFR 1926.1124 — Beryllium

Key definitions

• Action level: A concentration of airborne beryllium of 0.1 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m³) calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
• Airborne exposure and airborne exposure: The exposure to airborne beryllium that would occur if the employee were not using a respirator.
• Beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT): The measurement of blood lymphocyte proliferation in a laboratory test when lymphocytes are challenged with a soluble beryllium salt.
• CBD diagnostic center: A medical diagnostic center that has an on-site pulmonary specialist and on-site facilities to perform a clinical evaluation for the presence of chronic beryllium disease (CBD). This evaluation must include pulmonary function testing (as outlined by the American Thoracic Society criteria), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and transbronchial biopsy. The CBD diagnostic center must also have the capacity to transfer BAL samples to a laboratory for appropriate diagnostic testing within 24 hours. The on-site pulmonary specialist must be able to interpret the biopsy pathology and the BAL diagnostic test results.
• Chronic beryllium disease (CBD): A chronic lung disease associated with airborne exposure to beryllium.
• Competent person: An individual who is capable of identifying existing and foreseeable beryllium hazards in the workplace and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or minimize them. The competent person must have the knowledge, ability, and authority necessary to fulfill the responsibilities set forth in paragraph (e) of this standard.
• Confirmed positive: The person tested has beryllium sensitization, as indicated by two abnormal BeLPT test results, an abnormal and a borderline test result, or three borderline test results. It also means the result of a more reliable and accurate test indicating a person has been identified as having beryllium sensitization.
• Director: The Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or designee.
• Emergency: Any uncontrolled release of airborne beryllium.
• High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter: A filter that is at least 99.97 percent efficient in removing particles 0.3 micrometers in diameter.
• Objective data: Information, such as air monitoring data from industry-wide surveys or calculations based on the composition of a substance, demonstrating airborne exposure to beryllium associated with a particular product or material or a specific process, task, or activity. The data must reflect workplace conditions closely resembling or with a higher airborne exposure potential than the processes, types of material, control methods, work practices, and environmental conditions in the employer’s current operations.
• Physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP): An individual whose legally permitted scope of practice (i.e., license, registration, or certification) allows the individual to independently provide or be delegated the responsibility to provide some or all of the health care services required by paragraph (k) of this standard.

Summary of requirements

The employer must assess the airborne exposure of each employee who is or may reasonably be expected to be exposed to airborne beryllium in accordance with either the performance option or the scheduled monitoring option.

Regardless of which assessment method is used, all construction employers covered by the standard are required to:

• Reduce the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for beryllium to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over eight hours.
• Perform monitoring of employees.
• Establish and implement a written exposure control plan that identifies tasks that involve exposure and methods used to protect workers, including but not limited to, procedures to restrict access to work areas where high exposures may occur.
• Designate a competent person to inspect the jobsite, implement the written exposure control plan, and verify employees use the appropriate PPE.
• Provide engineering and work practice controls to reduce exposure levels.
• Provide hygiene areas and practices including proper housekeeping.
• Offer medical surveillance/medical exams at no cost to employees.
• Train employees initially and (annually) on health hazards, the exposure control plan, PPE, and additional topics.
• Keep records of air monitoring data, objective data, and medical surveillance.