The element beryllium, atomic number 4, is a grey metal that is stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum. Its physical properties of great strength-to-weight, high melting point, excellent thermal stability and conductivity, reflectivity, and transparency to X-rays make it an essential material in the aerospace, telecommunications, information technology, defense, medical, and nuclear industries.
In industry, beryllium is used in three forms; as a pure metal, as beryllium oxide, and most commonly, as an alloy with copper, aluminum, magnesium, or nickel. Beryllium oxide (called beryllia) is known for its high heat capacity and is an important component of certain sensitive electronic equipment. Copper-beryllium alloy is commonly used to make bushings, bearings, and springs. Beryllium is also found as a trace metal in slags and fly ash.
Beryllium
What are the hazards associated with beryllium?
Exposure to beryllium by inhalation of airborne beryllium or by skin contact with beryllium-containing dust, fume, mist, or solutions can cause health effects. The most common health effects associated with overexposure to beryllium in the workplace include: beryllium sensitization, chronic beryllium disease (CBD), and lung cancer.
Is there a special emphasis program associated with this topic?
Occupational exposure to beryllium falls within the OSH Division health hazards special emphasis program.
What can I do to protect myself?
Your employer must reduce exposures to airborne beryllium to or below the beryllium permissible exposure levels (PEL) through engineering controls to the extent feasible. Where all feasible controls are not sufficient to reduce exposures to or below the PELs, respirators must be provided in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134. In addition, personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE) (e.g., gloves, shoe covers) is required when airborne exposures can exceed the PEL, short-term exposure level (STEL) or there is the potential for skin exposure.
What resources are available to assist employers?
Safety and Health Programs
These example programs, hazard communication, respiratory protection, hazardous chemical program and PPE and hazard analysis can assist the employer in the development of their programs. Other example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions.
Training and Outreach Services
The presentations on hazard communication, respiratory protection, health hazards special emphasis program and personal protective equipment are available to assist employers in training their staff. Each of these presentations should be modified to address site-specific conditions and hazards. Other example presentations are available along with pre-recorded webinars which can be accessed at any time.
In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request.
Lastly, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including streaming video service) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).
Safety and Health Topics
Related resources can be found on the safety and health topic pages for respiratory protection, hazard communication, hierarchy of controls
Consultation Services
The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.
Which standards apply?
OSH has adopted the following standards which are applicable to beryllium in North Carolina. Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic.
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29 CFR 1910.1024 - general industry
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29 CFR 1915.1024 - maritime, shipyard employment
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29 CFR 1926.1124 - construction
In addition, following standards can apply to employee exposure to beryllium:
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29 CFR 1910.132 - personal protective equipment, general requirements - general industry
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29 CFR 1910.134 - respiratory protection - general industry, maritime and construction
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29 CFR 1910.1020 - access to employee exposure and medical records - respiratory protection - general industry, maritime and construction
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29 CFR 1910.1200 - hazard communication - general industry, maritime and construction
Other Applicable Standards
The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can also help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.
Where can I learn more?
Industry Guides
- Industry Guide 48 - OSHA Construction Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training provides requirements for standards related to occupational exposure to beryllium in construction.
- Industry Guide 49 - OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training provides requirements for standards related to occupational exposure to beryllium in general industry.
- Industry Guide 53 - OSHA Shipyard Employment Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training highlights the requirements for standards related to occupational exposure to beryllium in shipyard employment.
Compliance Documents
- Operational Procedure Notice: OPN 135, Special Emphasis Program for Exposure to Health Hazards, establishes enforcement policy and provides an explanation of how occupational exposure to beryllium will be investigated to ensure uniform enforcement.
- Memo- Interim Enforcement Guidelines for Beryllium provides enforcement guidance for the beryllium standards.
- Compliance Directive: CPL 02-00-124 - Multi-Employer Citation Policy provides guidance to Compliance Officers regarding the issuance of citations for employers who exercise control in creating, controlling, exposing and correcting hazards for their employees and those of other employers on site.
Technical Assistance
Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH through the online form, by email to ask.osh@labor.nc.gov, or by phone at 919-707-7876.