# Presentation: 224387

## Beryllium Handling Training

- ESH Section

**Notes:**
Introduce yourself and give work history.  

Explain that the lab offers two types of beryllium safety classes.  Beryllium Worker training is given to those employees whose work activities create a potential for airborne beryllium exposures above the Fermilab action level of 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter, whereas, beryllium Handling training is provided to those employees whose work activities do not have a potential for airborne exposures above the Fermilab action level.

## Objectives

- What is beryllium?
- Sources of beryllium at Fermilab
- Health effects of beryllium exposure
- Symptoms of beryllium poisoning
- OSHA, DOE and Fermilab Standards
- Activities & Exposure Factors
- Controls
- Inventory, Housekeeping, and Labeling
- What do I need to do?
- Beryllium Concern Contact Numbers
- Summary

**Notes:**
Explain class objectives.  What beryllium is, sources of beryllium at Fermilab, health effects of beryllium exposure, symptoms of beryllium poisoning, a brief review of the OSHA, DOE and Fermilab beryllium Standard, activities and exposure factors, controls and additional information and most importantly, what each of you need to do.

## What is Beryllium?

- Beryllium is defined as any object that contains greater than or equal to 0.1% beryllium
- Includes beryllium, beryllium alloys, and ceramic beryllia
- Beryllium is handled in bulk form only - no cutting, sanding, or grinding occurs on site

**Notes:**
We define beryllium as any object that contains greater than or equal to 0.1 percent beryllium.

Fermilab uses beryllium, beryllium alloys, and ceramic beryllia. 

These objects are not hazardous unless they are machined or used in a manner that creates a dust, fume, or mist.  

## Properties of Beryllium

- Hard silver-gray metal
- 1/3 lighter than aluminum
- 6 times stiffer than steel
- Good corrosion resistance
- High Melting Point
- Toxic
- Radiation shielding properties and Neutron Source

**Notes:**
Beryllium is a silver-gray metal that is one third as light as aluminum and six times stiffer than steel.  

It has good corrosion resistance and a high melting point.

These properties make beryllium a particularly attractive material for industrial applications.
Most of the beryllium ore mined is processed into beryllium hydroxide, which is further processed into beryllium metal, alloys, and oxide. Pure beryllium metal is used to make aircraft disc brakes, nuclear weapons and reactors, aircraft-satellite-space vehicle structures and instruments, X-ray transmission windows, missile parts, fuel containers, precision instruments, rocket propellants, navigational systems, heat shields, and mirrors. 
Beryllium oxide is used to make specialty electrical and high-technology ceramics, electronic heat sinks, electrical insulators, microwave oven components, gyroscopes, military vehicle armor, rocket nozzles, and laser structural components. Beryllium alloys are used in electrical connectors and relays, springs, precision instruments, aircraft engine parts, nonsparking tools, submarine cable housings and pivots, wheels, and pinions. 

## Sources of beryllium at FermiLab

- Beam Targets
- Beam Pipes
- Beam Windows
- Support Structures for Detectors

- Beryllium Target

- Beryllium Window

**Notes:**
Beryllium, beryllium alloys, and ceramic beryllia is used for such items as beam targets, beam pipes, beam windows, and support structures for particle detectors.

## Health effects of beryllium exposure

- Skin Disorders
- Lung Disease

**Notes:**
There are a number of health concerns associated beryllium.  These fall into two categories (1) skin disorders and (2) lung disease.  

Lets look at the ways beryllium can causes these effects.  

## Skin Contact

- If beryllium is imbedded in the skin, ulcers and corn-like lesions can develop
- Skin disorders usually heal completely
- Water soluble beryllium salts can cause skin irritation also called Dermatitis

**Notes:**
A skin rash, also called dermatitis, can develop when there is contact with water soluble beryllium salts.  We do not use these type materials at Fermilab.

If beryllium becomes imbedded in the skin, an ulcer or corn-like lesion can develop. 

These disorders usually heal completely once the beryllium is removed.

## Inhalation - Primary Concern

- Inhalation of small particles
- Reach into the air sacs of the lung
- Lung has a mechanism to remove particles
- Problem occurs when:
- Can not remove particles as quickly as they are inhaled
- Allergic reaction occurs

**Notes:**
There are a number of health concerns associated with the inhalation of beryllium particulate.  When very small particulates, less than 10 micrometers, are inhaled they reach the airsacs of the lung.  

The lung has a mechanism to remove particulate, however, when that mechanism is overwhelmed or if there is an allergic reaction to beryllium, then lung disease can develop.

## Acute Beryllium Lung Disease

- Caused by inhalation of very high levels of beryllium dusts
- May occur 2 weeks after exposure
- Symptoms are similar to those of bronchitis or pneumonia
- Symptoms disappear after exposure ends
- Rarely occurs today

**Notes:**
When very high concentrations of beryllium are inhaled for a short duration, pneumonia-like symptoms may occur.  
This is called Acute Beryllium Disease.
The symptoms may not occur for 2 weeks after the exposure.  
Acute Beryllium Disease is treatable and is completely reversible. 
Such large exposures occur very rarely today.

## Chronic Beryllium Disease

- Can occur when:
- Inhale small concentrations of beryllium over a certain time period
- AND the individual has become sensitized                 (allergic) to beryllium

**Notes:**
Chronic Beryllium Disease, however, is not reversible.  It can occur when small concentrations of beryllium have been inhaled over a certain time period.  It can only occur if the individual has become sensitized to beryllium.    

## Two Stages of CBD

- Sensitization - allergic development
- 3 - 10% of the population
- Granuloma Development
- Lung tissue is irreversibly scarred
- Reduces ability of lung tissue to transfer oxygen to blood
- Of 46,103 DOE workers screened by 2005,  719 (1.6%) were sensitized, 210 (0.5%) had the disease

**Notes:**
It is estimated that three to ten percent of the population has the potential of hypersensitivity to beryllium.  
When sensitized, it seems the lung’s particle removal mechanisms don’t work as they should.  Instead of removing the beryllium particulate, scar tissue begins to form around the particles.  The scar tissue, called granuloma, gradually increases in size, reducing the amount of healthy lung tissue.

As the disease progresses, it becomes more difficult to breath.  

## Symptoms of Beryllium Poisoning	

- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Blood in mucus
- Chest and joint pain
- Rapid heart rate
- Loss of appetite
- Fevers and night sweats

**Notes:**
Symptoms include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, blood in mucus, chest and joint pain, loss of appetite, fever, and night sweats.

## Chronic Beryllium Disease

- Medical tests can determine if individuals are sensitized to beryllium
- Symptoms may occur 5-10 years after exposure
- No cure exists, but treatments are available
- 3% mortality rate

**Notes:**
These symptoms occur for five to ten years.  Some sensitized people never progress to the granuloma stage.

## Lung Cancer

- Listed by OSHA as potential cancer hazard
- Research continues

## OSHA Exposure Limits

- Exposure depends on
- Concentration
- Frequency
- Duration
- 8 hour time weighted average - 2 g/m3
- 15 minute ceiling concentration limit - 5 g/m3
- 30 minute acceptable maximum peak above the acceptable ceiling concentration for an 8-hour shift may be 25 mg/m3
- These limits have reduced but not eliminated the incidence of CBD

**Notes:**
OSHA has established a permissible exposure limit for beryllium of 2 micrograms per cubic meter of air.  

This exposure limit is very small.  If you evenly distributed an amount of beryllium metallic powder the size of a pencil tip into a box that is six feet high and as wide and long as a football field, that would be equal to two micrograms per cubic meter.

This is an eight hour time weighted average which takes into account the concentration, frequency of exposure, and duration of the exposure.  While this Permissible Exposure Limit has greatly reduced the incidence of Chronic Beryllium Disease, this disease is still occurring.

## Department of Energy

- Many question the adequacy of OSHA’s limits
- All DOE contractors must have a Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program to address this concern
- Revisions due by April 6, 2000
- Full program implementation by January, 2002

**Notes:**
At Department of Energy facilities where beryllium is machined, a 1998 survey of 9000 workers showed that approximately 100 had Chronic Beryllium Disease and 200 had become sensitized.  As a result, many people have questioned whether the OSHS Permissible Exposure Limit is protective enough.  The Department of Energy, in response, has required its contractors to develop a Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program to address these concerns.

## Chronic Beryllium Disease      Prevention Program

- Reduction and minimization of exposures
- Exposure monitoring
- Medical surveillance
- Facility characterization and sampling
- Hazard analysis
- Recordkeeping
- Training
- Performance feedback

**Notes:**
The program must contain the following elements:
Reduction and minimization of exposures 
Exposure monitoring 
Medical surveillance 
Facility characterization and sampling
Hazard analysis
Recordkeeping 
Training
Performance feedback

## FermiLab’s Program

- FermiLab Environment, Safety and Health Manual, Chapter 5052.5
- www-esh.fnal.gov/FESHM/5000/5052_5.html

**Notes:**
FermiLab’s Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program is Chapter 5052.5 of the FermiLab Environment, Safety, and Health Manual.  It can also be found at the website given.

## Definitions (FESHM Chapter 5052.5)

- Action Level:  concentration of airborne beryllium which prompts series of requirements.  This is an eight hour time weighted average of **0.2ug/m3**
- Beryllium Worker:  a current worker who is regularly employed in a beryllium activity
- Beryllium Activity:** **means an activity that has the potential to expose workers to airborne beryllium above detectable limits.  Activities include, but are not limited to, cutting, grinding, sanding, and soldering.

## Definitions (FESHM Chapter 5052.5)

- Beryllium Area: Area where concentration exceeds the Action Level
- Beryllium Article: manufactured item formed to a specific shape or design during manufacture, that has end use functions that depend in whole or in part on its shape or design during end use, and that does not release beryllium or otherwise result in exposure to airborne concentrations above detectable limits of beryllium under normal conditions of use.

## Definitions (FESHM Chapter 5052.5)

**Beryllium-associated worker: **means a current worker who is or was exposed or potentially exposed to airborne concentrations of beryllium above detectable limits, including:
- A beryllium worker;
- A current worker whose work history shows that the worker may have been exposed to airborne concentrations of beryllium.
- A current worker who exhibits signs or symptoms of beryllium exposure; and
- A current worker who is receiving medical removal protection benefits.

## Special Responsibilities

- Division/Section heads must be aware of materials, operations, and related hazards
- Supervisors, coordinators, and task managers must conduct operations in a safe manner
- Beryllium workers must have knowledge and training
- Medical department must provide medical surveillance program for beryllium workers

**Notes:**
Division and Section heads shall be aware of the materials, operations, and related hazards with which their personnel may be involved.  They shall assure the policies, procedures, and requirements as set forth in the Environment, Safety and Health chapter are followed.

Supervisors, construction coordinators, and task managers shall conduct their operations in a safe manner.  

Individuals working with beryllium shall have sufficient knowledge and training to perform their work safely.  

The Medical Department shall provide a medical surveillance program for beryllium workers.

## Activities

- Repacking Beryllium Blocks
- Polishing/Sanding
- Installing Beryllium Cylinders
- Open of Drums, Sorting
- Soldering to Be surfaces
- Surface mounting
- Wire-bonding
- F-disk laminations
- Cleaning of HEPA Vacuum

- Higher exposures

- Lower exposures

- 0.2 ug/m3

**Notes:**
This is a listing of worker activities which may subject employees to beryllium exposures. The top two activities, from Polishing/Sanding up have been monitored and at various times have shown to produce exposures above occupational health limits.

## Exposure Factors

- Concentration
- Percent (%) of beryllium in material
- Activity being performed
- Length of time employee performs activity
- Frequency of activity
- Body positioning
- Amount of oxidation on beryllium
- Controls utilized

**Notes:**
Many factors come into play when we discuss the factors which contribute to worker exposure.

## Controls

- Engineering/Administrative
- Local Exhaust ventilation
- Wet surface
- Containment/HEPA vacuum
- Paint or use other barrier coating to cover surface
- Plan work to minimize creation of dust
- NO - dry sweeping, using non-HEPA vacuum, etc.
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Hygiene Practices
- Clean face and hands after leaving work area

**Notes:**
Discuss the principles of the Hierarchy of Industrial Hygiene.  Engineer Controls, Administrative Controls, Personal Protective Equipment.

## Beryllium Work Area and Housekeeping

- Restricted Access
- Label
- Areas where exposure may exceed action level
- beryllium-containing materials
- Store in dry, designated storage areas
- Containers must be sealed and secured
- No smoking, no food or beverages
- Area kept as clean as possible
- Clean daily
- Collect beryllium debris and contaminated items in closed container for hazardous waste disposal
- Fermilab Standard – 2.5 ug/100 cm2 surface concentration

**Notes:**
Review labeling requirements and discuss Fermilab’s surface contamination level of 2.5 ug/100 cm2.

## Inventory

- Includes current beryllium locations and operations
- Maintained in Particle Physics Division ES&H inventory (To be switched to ES&H Section)

## Beryllium Area Label

- RESTRICTED AREA - NO ENTRY
**DANGER**
- BERYLLIUM WORK AREA
- INHALATION OF DUST OR FUME MAY CAUSE SERIOUS LUNG DISEASE
- POTENTIAL CANCER HAZARD
- NO SMOKING OR EATING
- CONTACT _______ PRIOR TO ENTRY

## Beryllium Hazard Label

- Caution: Beryllium
- Dust and fume may cause rashes and ulcers on cut skin.
- Suspect cancer hazard.  Inhalation of dust or fume can cause lung damage.  Allergic reaction is possible.
- Work which may cause exposure to dust or fume must be cleared with ES&H Group.
- Only beryllium trained workers may use this material.
- If contacted, rinse area with water.  If inhaled call Medical.  Use gloves when handling this material.

## What do I need to do?

- Understand the activities and hazards associated with beryllium
- Report any signs or symptoms of beryllium exposure immediately
- Minimize exposure at every opportunity
- Contact supervisor and ESH Group if you have any questions or concerns

**Notes:**
Explain these four key “to do” items.  

## Accelerator Division
Richard Rebstock (3499)
ESH Section
Dave Baird (3945)
Workforce Development & Resources Section
Mike Bonkalski (8448)
Particle Physics Division
Robert Bushek (2399)

- Richard Rebstock (3499)
**ESH Section**
- Dave Baird (3945)
**Workforce Development & Resources Section**
- Mike Bonkalski (8448)
**Particle Physics Division**
- Robert Bushek (2399)

**FES Section**
- Mike Bonkalski (8448)
**Technical Division**
- Richard Ruthe (5424)
**Business Services Section**
- Greg Mitchell (8002)
**Computing Division**
- Amy Pavnica (8493)

*Beryllium Concern Contact Numbers*

**Notes:**
Beryllium Concern Contact Numbers

## Summary

- What is beryllium?
- Sources of beryllium at Fermilab
- Health effects of beryllium exposure
- Symptoms of beryllium poisoning
- OSHA, DOE and Fermilab Standards
- Activities & Exposure Factors
- Controls
- Inventory, Housekeeping, and Labeling
- What do I need to do?
- Beryllium Concern Contact Numbers

**Notes:**
Review and summarize what you just told them.