Beryllium Hazards and Controls

Title:	Beryllium Hazards and Controls
Publication date:	2/1/2022
Effective date:	11/18/2006

BRIEF

Policy Summary

The Beryllium Safety Program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) ensures exposures are minimized through limiting work with beryllium and by using medical surveillance, exposure assessment, and controls.

Who Should Read This Policy

Berkeley Lab employees, visitors, affiliates, and subcontractors who may perform work that includes beryllium

To Read the Full Policy, Go To:

The POLICY tab on this wiki page

To Read the EH&S Program Details, Go To:

ES&H Manual Chapter 38

Contact Information

Beryllium Safety Subject Matter Expert
EHS Division

Title:	Beryllium Hazards and Controls
Publication date:	2/1/2022
Effective date:	11/18/2006

POLICY

A. Purpose

The Beryllium Safety Program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) ensures exposures are minimized through limiting work with beryllium and by using medical surveillance, exposure assessment, and controls.

B. Persons Affected

Berkeley Lab employees, affiliates, and subcontractors who may perform work that includes beryllium

C. Exceptions

None

D. Policy Statement

Berkeley Lab maintains an active Beryllium Safety Program to minimize potential exposure to beryllium particles. This program consists of:

Limiting and restricting the procurement and use of beryllium at Berkeley Lab.
Authorization to work with beryllium via the employee Work Planning and Control (WPC) activity.
Training and medical surveillance for potentially exposed individuals (including those with past potential exposures).
Hazard assessment to determine whether beryllium is used, in what form it is being used, and how it is being used.
Workplace evaluation to determine what, if any, worker exposure is present.
Appropriate control measures for areas where potential exposures to beryllium particulates (such as dusts, mists, or welding fumes) can occur. Control measures may include:
- Regulated areas.
- Respiratory protection.
- Protective clothing.
- Warning signs and labels.

Berkeley Lab's Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program summarizes all efforts to minimize and reduce beryllium exposure on site to the greatest extent possible.

E. Roles and Responsibilities

Managers, supervisors, and employees have the responsibility to adhere to the provisions of this policy.

Role	Responsibility
Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) Division	Administers the Berkeley Lab Beryllium Safety Program. Provides training to Laboratory personnel who may work with beryllium. Designates the Beryllium Safety Program Manager.
Beryllium Safety Program Manager	Provides guidance to Berkeley Lab personnel who may work with or around beryllium. Carries out necessary exposure and contamination assessments for beryllium-related work and equipment. Reviews and updates all relevant documents and online information. Submits to the Department of Energy (DOE) the semi-annual Beryllium-Associated Worker Registry data. Writes and submits the annual Berkeley Lab Technical Assurance Program Report.
Line Management	Ensures that personnel working with beryllium are properly trained and aware of beryllium-related safety issues.
LBNL Employees and Affiliates	Follow all safety requirements when working with beryllium.
Subcontractors	Conform to the requirements of applicable regulations and this EH&S program.

F. Definitions/Acronyms

Term	Definition
Beryllium	A naturally occurring hard, brittle, gray-white metal that is resistant to oxidation at ordinary temperatures and is used in computer parts, X-ray tubes, gyroscopes, and rocket-fuel additives. Hazard: highly toxic, especially by inhalation of dust. Long-term exposure may cause weight loss, weakness, cough, extreme breathing difficulty, and cardiac failure.
CBDPP	Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program
Chronic Beryllium Disease	Scarring of the lung tissue when a person inhales dust or fumes of beryllium and has become sensitized to this material

G. Recordkeeping Requirements

LBNL chronic beryllium disease prevention program plan
Exposure assessment documents
DOE beryllium-associated worker registry documents

H. Implementing Documents

Document Number	EH&S Reference Number	Title	Type
07.07.003.001	ES&H Manual Chapter 38	Beryllium	Program
Tbd		LBNL Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program	Procedure
07.07.003.002	ES&H Manual Chapter 38, Work Process A	General Requirement	Work Process
07.07.003.003	ES&H Manual Chapter 38, Work Process B	Procurement of Beryllium or Beryllium-Containing Materials	Work Process
07.07.003.004	ES&H Manual Chapter 38, Work Process C	Authorization to Work with Beryllium or Beryllium-Containing Materials	Work Process
07.07.003.005	ES&H Manual, Chapter 38, Work Process D	Qualification and Training (Does Not Include Subcontractors)	Work Process
07.07.003.006	ES&H Manual Chapter 38, Work Process E	Beryllium Hazard Assessment	Work Process

I. Contact Information