The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a direct final rule on May 4 clarifying aspects of the beryllium standard for general industry as it applies to processes, operations and areas where workers may be exposed to materials containing less than 0.1 percent beryllium by weight. Because OSHA did not receive significant adverse commentary during the submission period, the direct final rule is set to go into effect on July 6th.

OSHA said it will begin enforcing certain requirements of the beryllium final rule, including the permissible exposure limits in the general industry, construction and shipyard standards; and the exposure assessment, respiratory protection, medical surveillance and medical removal provisions in the general industry standard.

The agency plans to issue a proposal to further extend this compliance date for the ancillary provisions to December 12th.