OSHA Seeks Your Input on Beryllium Exposure

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is soliciting remarks and information from the public to aid the agency in finding the most effective way to handle occupational exposures to beryllium—a toxic metal.

Found in coal, oil, certain rock minerals, volcanic dust and soil, beryllium has enjoyed increased industrial usage in recent years. Previously, the lightweight metal was used mainly in the development of nuclear weapons and in nuclear power applications. Now, several industries, such as aerospace, manufacturing, automotive, computer and telecommunications, have found applications for this metal. Beryllium and beryllium alloy are used in a wide range of equipment such as aircraft, satellites, X-ray machines and high-speed computers and in electrical components such as springs and switches.

Exposure to the metal can lead to lung cancer and skin disease. Inhalation seems to be the most common way that employees are exposed to beryllium, followed by dermal contact. Machine shop, metalworking and finishing processes involving beryllium can put employees at risk.

"We know there's an association between adverse health effects and exposure to this metal," says OSHA Administrator John Henshaw. "We've published two hazard information bulletins on the topic just in the past three years. To determine the best future course of action to take, we need to obtain as much information as we can on the many complex issues related to health effects, current uses, and employee exposures to this metal. The best way to do that is to provide interested members of the public an opportunity to be heard on these issues."

OSHA is seeking your comments on several topics such as employee exposure, health effects, risk assessment, exposure assessment and monitoring methods, control measures and technological feasibility, economic impacts, employee training, medical surveillance and environmental and small business repercussions.

Currently, OSHA's general industry standard prohibits exposure to beryllium exceeding two micrograms per cubic meter of air averaged over an 8-hour period or five micrograms per cubic meter of air for over 30 minutes at a time. OSHA prohibits exposure to over 25 micrograms of the metal, no matter how brief the exposure.

The deadline for your remarks is Feb. 24, 2003.

You can turn in comments via regular mail, express delivery, hand delivery or messenger service. Send three copies and attachments to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. H005C, Room N2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20210.

You can also submit comments (no longer than 10 pages) via fax to OSHA's Docket Office at (202) 693-1648. Don't forget to jot down the docket number (H005C) on your remarks.

You also have the option of submitting remarks, but not attachments, through the Web at http://ecomments.osha.gov.

For more information on turning in comments, contact the Docket Office at (202) 693-2350.

SBA and OSHA Agree to Work Together

The Small Business Administration (SBA) and OSHA are teaming up to help small businesses minimize ergonomic risks. The two organizations will jointly improve outreach and education programs for small businesses.

"OSHA welcomes the opportunity to work closely with the SBA to help millions of small businesses across the country reduce ergonomic hazards in their workplaces," says Henshaw. "This partnership enables us to better educate the small business community about the assistance that is available to them and learn from their input and feedback on our efforts."

Henshaw, along with Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel, SBA Office of Advocacy, and Michael Barrera, SBA National Ombudsman, signed the memorandum of understanding on Nov. 21.

Under this partnership, the two organizations will share information and disseminate ergonomics program materials to small businesses. They will also develop a referral procedure to gather feedback on industry- and task-specific ergonomics guidelines from small businesses.

"We're pleased to be partners with OSHA in its efforts to reach small business as it develops new industry-specific ergonomic guidelines," says Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy. "With the new guidelines and this agreement, OSHA can take a big step in listening to the concerns of small business. This new step towards cooperation is great news for small business owners and their employees alike."

The SBA's Office of Advocacy will spread OSHA information about ergonomics as well as collect remarks from small businesses in different industries. The Office of Advocacy will also encourage small businesses to access ergonomics information through The Small Business Advocate and electronic regulatory communications

The SBA's National Ombudsman has also agreed to distribute OSHA small business resources and informational materials on OSHA's ergonomics strategy at regional meetings, small business gatherings and through RegFair Report, its monthly electronic publication.

Sources: OSHA Seeking Information to Address Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Beryllium
Trade News Release, Nov. 25, 2002
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=9838&p_text_version=FALSE

Occupational Exposure to Beryllium; Request for Information
Find, Inc., Nov. 27, 2002
http://www.manufacturing.net/?layout=articlePortal_V2&articleId=NEf1126102.5rg&search=newsfeed&text=osha

OSHA and SBA Sign Memorandum of Understanding
Trade News Release, Nov. 21, 2002
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=9835&p_text_version=FALSE