Quick Start Guide
Chapter 38: Beryllium Hazards and Controls
Program: Beryllium Hazards and Controls
Revised: 07/12
URL: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/CH38.html
Revision Record: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/Pub3000Changes.html
Who needs to know about these requirements?
The requirements of the Beryllium Safety Program apply to
- Berkeley Lab employees, casual and participating visitors, affiliates, and subcontractors
Whenever they are
- Handling beryllium or beryllium-containing materials at Berkeley Lab or other DOE facilities
Why?
The unsafe handling of beryllium or beryllium compounds may lead to personnel exposure and may result in:
- Sensitization to beryllium
- Chronic beryllium disease
- Violation of federal and state regulations
What you need to do before performing work:
- Define work scope and protocols.
- Analyze hazards. Perform risk assessment. Contact the Industrial Hygiene Group for a baseline exposure assessment (BEA).
- Divisions proposing to handle beryllium materials in a destructive manner shall contact the Industrial Hygiene Group for a baseline exposure assessment. If it is determined that the work may lead to airborne exposure, formal work authorization (such as an Activity Hazard Document) may be required. Additionally, some tasks require DOE approval prior to commencement.
- Completion of training is recommended for all personnel working with beryllium materials and is required for those with possible exposure above the DOE Action Level.
- Develop controls.
- Workers performing beryllium work with a potential for airborne exposure shall comply with the requirements of this chapter and with their qualification levels, training, and work authorizations.
- Personal protective equipment, including respirators, may be required for the protection of employees performing any beryllium work, including welding. These requirements will be part of a Job Hazards Analysis, an Activity Hazard Document, or another written work procedure.
Where to find out more:
Whom to contact for help:
- Tim Roberts, the EHS Beryllium Subject Matter Expert, ext. 2709