Hazard summary

Inhaling beryllium dust or fumes can cause chronic beryllium disease, also called berylliosis.

This serious illness typically leads to an irreversible, and sometimes, fatal scarring of the lungs, especially if the exposure does not stop early in the course of disease. Beryllium exposure may also result in lung cancer.

Early symptoms of beryllium disease include:

  • shortness of breath
  • coughing

Workers should learn about the health risks of beryllium disease if they work with, or around:

  • beryllium
  • beryllium alloys
  • beryllium-containing materials

As a best practice, worker exposure to beryllium should be controlled to levels as low as possible, even below the time-weighted average exposure limit of 0.00005 mg/m3 (inhalable fraction) as set out in current occupational exposure limits for Ontario workplaces under Regulation 833.

Controlling exposure to beryllium may prevent serious or fatal lung disease.

Hazard locations

Workers can be exposed to beryllium dust and fumes if they work in the production, fabrication or finishing of beryllium alloys.

Uses of beryllium

Uses of beryllium include:

  • metal working (pure beryllium, copper and aluminum alloys, jet brake pads and aerospace components)
  • ceramic manufacturing (semi-conductor chips, and aerospace industry)
  • electronic applications (transistors, heat sinks and x-ray windows)
  • atomic energy applications (heat shields, nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons)
  • laboratory work (research and development, metallurgy and chemistry)
  • extraction (ore and scrap metal)
  • dental alloys (crowns, bridges and dental plates)
  • sporting goods (golf clubs and bicycle frames)

Industrial sector

Some processes and operations that may release beryllium in the industrial sector are:

  • melting/casting (fumes)
  • machining (dust/mist)
  • heat treating (fumes)
  • welding (fumes)
  • abrasive blasting (dust)
  • research and development (powder)
  • metallic beryllium operations
  • maintenance and housekeeping

Construction sector

Some processes and operations that may release beryllium in the construction sector are decommissioning and demolition of:

  • nuclear facilities
  • power generating plants
  • aerospace facilities

Mining sector

Some processes and operations that may release beryllium in the mining sector are:

  • extraction processing
  • alloy processing

Work with beryllium that does not pose known health risks

There are no known associated health risks or adverse effects if you are

  • handling beryllium in solid form and beryllium in finished products without further processing

Precautions

Every employer shall take all measures reasonably necessary in the circumstances to protect workers from exposure to the hazards of working with and handling beryllium.

The measures that an employer shall take include the provision and use of:

  • substitution;
  • engineering controls;
  • administrative controls, including work practices;
  • and, if section 7.2 of Reg. 833 applies, personal protective equipment.

In considering what measures to take to protect workers, the employer shall consider providing the following:

Substitution

Process substitution removes or changes substances that could be harmful. Beryllium exposure in the workplace can be reduced through work practices including :

  • using pellets instead of powders wherever possible
  • using product substitution where possible

Engineering controls

The following engineering controls may be used to reduce beryllium exposure in the workplace:

  • enclosing processes
  • installing local exhaust ventilation
  • using vacuum systems in machining operations

Administrative controls

The following administrative controls may be used to reduce beryllium exposure in the workplace:

  • using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuums to clean equipment and the floor (never use compressed air to clean equipment and the floor)
  • not eating, drinking, smoking or applying cosmetics in beryllium exposed areas
  • providing a clean change room, work clothes, showers and a clean area for storing street clothes
  • not wearing work clothes or work shoes home
  • monitoring worker exposure to airborne beryllium
  • providing workers exposed to beryllium training and information about the health effects of beryllium and the workplace’s measures to control exposure to beryllium

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

To reduce beryllium exposure in the workplace, respirators with NIOSH 100-series filters must be worn by workers for airborne exposures above the regulated occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 0.00005 mg/m3 (inhalable fraction) in circumstances set out in clause 7.2 (2) (a) and clause 7.2 (2) (b) of the Reg. 833.

Training

Employers must ensure that workers are provided information and instruction about the hazards of working with beryllium.

Talk to your physician

Workers may be given a copy of this alert to take to their physician. Workers working with beryllium may also be trained on the importance of letting their physician know about exposure, especially if respiratory symptoms develop, such as shortness of breath and cough.

Legal requirements

The Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents regulation (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 833) made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) sets the OEL requirements for employers. Employers must limit the exposure of workers to beryllium and its compounds within the time-weighted average exposure limit of 0.00005 mg/m3 (inhalable fraction) as set out in current occupational exposure limits for Ontario workplaces under Regulation 833.

Contact us

For more information or assistance, please contact the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Health & Safety Contact Centre or Ministry of Labour, Immigration Training and Skills Development health and safety partners.

Resources

Beryllium health effects — Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Beryllium fact sheet — Occupational Safety and Health Administration (US OSHA)

Disclaimer

This resource does not replace the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations and should not be used as or considered legal advice. Health and safety inspectors apply and enforce these laws based on the facts they find in the workplace.

If you require specific assistance with respect to the interpretation of a legislative provision and its potential application to you, please contact your legal counsel.

Remember that while complying with occupational health and safety laws, you are also required to comply with applicable environmental laws.