Scenario
A woman who had worked as a dental laboratory technician for 13 years was diagnosed with CBD. Her daily work involved sandblasting beryllium dental alloy, cutting the metal sprue from the alloy with a high-speed grinder, removing the bubbles with a hand-held electric grinder and deburrer, and setting the restoration to make sure it fit the die. While performing this work, the worker wore a surgical-type paper mask. Although a household-type wall vacuum system with movable hoses was available for cleanup, the laboratory was reported to be very dusty.
Beginning in 1996, the woman worked at a second lab without the use of a mask or hood. Airborne beryllium samples were not taken at either of the dental laboratories where this woman worked.
In 1997, the laboratory technician was diagnosed as having sarcoidosis. She experienced symptoms of CBD including dry cough, decreased energy, and shortness of breath after walking up one or two flights of stairs or after walking rapidly on a horizontal surface.
Findings
Inadequate controls to eliminate or mitigate airborne exposure to beryllium dust through inhalation contributed to the workers CBD condition. Respirators, PPE, and local ventilation was not used when employees were exposed to beryllium dust. Neither lab performed adequate surveillance or testing for beryllium exposure per 29 CFR 1910.1024. Finally, the worker was never informed of her right to receive training on the hazards beryllium posed.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-4. What must an employer do if employees are potentially exposed to harmful levels of airborne beryllium?
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