Whenever possible, the use of local exhaust ventilation or other engineering controls is the preferred method of controlling exposure to airborne particulate. Where utilized, exhaust inlets to the ventilation system must be positioned as close as possible to the source of airborne generation. Avoid disruption of the airflow in the area of a local exhaust inlet by equipment such as a man-cooling fan. Check ventilation equipment regularly to ensure it is functioning properly. Provide training on the use and operation of ventilation to all users. Use qualified professionals to design and install ventilation systems.

Develop work practices and procedures that prevent particulate from coming in contact with worker skin, hair, or personal clothing. If work practices and/or procedures are ineffective in controlling airborne exposure or visual particulate from deposition on skin, hair, or clothing, provide appropriate cleaning/washing facilities. Procedures should be written that clearly communicate the facility’s requirements for protective clothing and personal hygiene. These clothing and personal hygiene requirements help keep particulate from being spread to non-production areas or from being taken home by the worker. Never use compressed air to clean work clothing or other surfaces.

Fabrication processes may leave a residue of particulate on the surface of parts, products or equipment that could result in employee exposure during subsequent material handling activities. As necessary, clean loose particulate from parts between processing steps. As a standard hygiene practice, wash hands before eating or smoking.

To prevent exposure, remove surface scale or oxidation formed on cast or heat treated products in an adequately ventilated process prior to working the surface.

Machining operations are usually performed under a liquid lubricant/coolant flood which assists in reducing airborne particulate. However, the cycling through of machine coolant containing finely divided particulate in suspension can result in the concentration building to a point where the particulate may become airborne during use. Certain processes such as sanding and grinding may require complete hooded containment and local exhaust ventilation. Prevent coolant from splashing onto floor areas, external structures or operators’ clothing. Utilize a coolant filtering system to remove particulate from the coolant.

When airborne exposures exceed or have the potential to exceed the occupational limits shown in Section 8.13, approved respirators must be used as specified by an Industrial Hygienist or other qualified professional. Respirator users must be medically evaluated to determine if they are physically capable of wearing a respirator. Quantitative and/or qualitative fit testing and respirator training must be satisfactorily completed by all personnel prior to respirator use. Users of tight fitting respirators must be clean shaven on those areas of the face where the respirator seal contacts the face. Exposure to unknown concentrations of particulate requires the wearing of a pressure-demand airline respirator or pressure-demand self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Use pressure-demand airline respirators when performing jobs with high potential exposures such as changing filters in a baghouse air cleaning device.

Protective overgarments or work clothing must be worn by persons who may become contaminated with particulate during activities such as machining, furnace rebuilding, air cleaning equipment filter changes, maintenance, furnace tending, etc. Contaminated work clothing and overgarments must be managed in a controlled manner to prevent secondary exposure to workers of third parties, to prevent the spread of particulate to other areas, and to prevent particulate from being taken home by workers.

Wear gloves to prevent contact with particulate or solutions. Wear gloves to prevent metal cuts and skin abrasions during handling.

Wear safety glasses, goggles, face shield, or welder’s helmet when risk of eye injury is present, particularly during melting, casting, machining, grinding, welding, powder handling, etc.

Use vacuum and wet cleaning methods for particulate removal from surfaces. Be certain to dc-energize electrical systems, as necessary, before beginning wet cleaning. Use vacuum cleaners with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA). Do not use compressed air, brooms, or conventional vacuum cleaners to remove particulate from surfaces as this activity can result in elevated exposures to airborne particulate. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when performing maintenance on HEPA filtered vacuums used to clean hazardous materials.

During repair or maintenance activities the potential exists for exposures to particulate in excess of the occupational standards. Under these circumstances, protecting workers can require the use of specific work practices or procedures involving the combined use of ventilation, wet and vacuum cleaning methods, respiratory protection, decontamination, special protective clothing, and when necessary, restricted work zones.

In accordance with OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.252 welding of materials containing beryllium is regulated as follows: Welding or cutting indoors, outdoors, or in confined spaces involving beryllium containing base or filler metals shall be done using local exhaust ventilation and pressure-demand airline respirators unless atmospheric tests under the most adverse conditions have established that the workers’ exposure is within the acceptable concentrations defined by 29 CFR 1910.1000. In all cases, workers in the immediate vicinity of the welding or cutting operations shall be protected as necessary by local exhaust ventilation or airline respirators.

Determine exposure to airborne particulate by air sampling in the employee breathing zone, work area, and department. Utilize an Industrial Hygienist or other qualified professional to specify the frequency and type of air sampling. Develop and utilize a sampling strategy which identifies the extent of exposure variation and provides statistical confidence in the results. Conduct an exposure risk assessment of processes to determine if conditions or situations exist which dictate the need for additional controls or improved work practices. Make air sample results available to employees.

Beryllium Medical surveillance for beryllium health effects includes (1) skin examination, (2) respiratory history, (3) examination of the lungs, (4) lung function tests (FVC and FEV1), and (5) periodic chest x-ray. In addition, a specialized, specific, immunological blood test, the beryllium blood lymphocyte proliferation test (BLPT), is available to assist in the diagnosis of beryllium related reactions. Individuals who have an abnormal BLPT are normally referred to a lung specialist for additional specific tests to determine if chronic beryllium disease is present. Note: Substantial inter- and intra-laboratory disagreement exists among the laboratories that conduct this test. The BLPT does not at this time meet the criteria for a screening test. Despite its limitations however, the BLPT remains a useful disease surveillance tool.

Specific genetic factors have been identified and have been shown to increase an individual’s susceptibility to CBD. Medical testing is available to detect genetic factors in individuals.

A leading scientific body recommending occupational standards is the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). The ACGIH recommends standards for all listed substances. The ACGIH defines a threshold limit value (standard) as follows: “Threshold Limit Values refer to airborne concentrations of substances and represent conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed day after day without adverse health effects. Because of wide variation in individual susceptibility, however, a small percentage of workers may experience discomfort from some substances at concentrations at or below the threshold limit; a smaller percentage may be affected more seriously by aggravation of a preexisting condition or by development of an occupational illness.” “Individuals may also be hypersusceptible or otherwise unusually responsive to some industrial chemicals because of genetic factors, age, personal habits (smoking, alcohol, or other drugs), medication, or previous exposures. Such workers may not be adequately protected from adverse health effects from certain chemicals at concentrations at or below the threshold limits.”

ACGIH = American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
OSHA = Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PEL = Eight-Hour Average Permissible Exposure Limit (OSHA)
CEILING = Not To Be Exceeded Except For Peak Limit (OSHA)
PEAK = 30-Minute Maximum Duration Concentration Above Ceiling Limit (OSHA)
TLV = Eight-Hour Average Threshold Limit Value (ACGIH)
TLV-STEL = 15-Minute Short Term Exposure Limit (ACGIH)
CAS = Chemical Abstract Service
NIOSH = National Institute For Occupational Safety and Health
RTECS = Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances
NA = Not Applicable

Brush Wellman recommends following good industrial hygiene practice which includes reducing airborne exposures to the lowest feasible level for all constituents in this product.