Beryllium

Beryllium is a lightweight metal used in alloys, electronics and aerospace parts, and it’s found as a trace contaminant in some abrasive blasting slags. Breathing tiny amounts can cause an incurable lung disease. Construction workers are exposed mainly during abrasive blasting.

• Construction
• General Industry
• Shipyards

Where exposure happens

• Abrasive blasting with coal slag or copper slag, and cleanup of spent abrasive, on bridges, ships, tanks and steel structures
• Machining, grinding and welding beryllium-copper and other beryllium alloys (tools, springs, connectors)
• Foundries, metal recycling, dental labs and electronics and aerospace manufacturing

Health effects

• Beryllium sensitization: an immune reaction that can develop after even small exposures; it has no symptoms but can lead to disease.
• Chronic beryllium disease (CBD): scarring of the lungs causing cough, shortness of breath and fatigue, sometimes years after exposure. It can’t be cured.
• Lung cancer.
• Skin rashes and sensitization from skin contact.

OSHA’s beryllium standards

Separate standards cover general industry (1910.1024), construction (1926.1124) and shipyards (1915.1024). Requirements include exposure assessment, a written exposure control plan, engineering controls, respirators and protective clothing when needed, hygiene facilities, medical surveillance, and training.

Controls for blasting

• Use abrasives that don’t contain beryllium where possible; check the abrasive’s Safety Data Sheet.
• Use containment and ventilation, and wet methods for cleanup.
• Wear a supplied-air blasting helmet (Type CE) and protective clothing.
• Clean up with HEPA vacuums, never dry sweeping or compressed air.
• Change out of contaminated clothing and wash before leaving. See Take-Home Contamination.

Last updated: October 2, 2026