OSHA has proposed a rule that would modify its recent beryllium standards for the construction and shipyard sectors. Representatives of the shipyards and construction industries, as well as members of Congress, raised concerns they had not had a meaningful opportunity to comment on the application of the rule when it was developed in 2015-16. This proposal provides a new opportunity to comment.
OSHA has evidence that exposure in these industries is limited to a few operations and has information suggesting requiring the ancillary provisions broadly may not improve worker protection and be redundant with overlapping protections in other standards.
OSHA will not enforce the Jan. 9, 2017 standards while determining whether to amend it.
For more information, visit www. osha.gov or call (800) 321-6742.