Safety: Workers emphasize beryllium awareness Published Dec. 2, 2011 By Jenny Gordon 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The results of a visit from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration several months ago are just another example of workers taking control of their own safety. Due to an employee complaint filed regarding possible beryllium dust exposure, OSHA conducted a site visit to Bldg. 20031. Employees perform lapping of copper beryllium bushings to make parts fit to a certain tolerance. The grinding process has the potential for beryllium dust to escape into the air. Air monitoring was conducted alongside OSHA inspectors, but bioenvironmental engineering found nothing exceeded regulatory standards, according to Toni Hurley, an industrial hygienist with the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center's newly-formed Safety Management System Implementation Team. Hurley added the BIO office had conducted air monitoring for beryllium during the process many times before, but never found exposures above regulatory limits. One thing that became apparent from the OSHA visit was how much awareness employees had in how to handle beryllium. Through Voluntary Protection Programs and American Federation of Government Employees Local 987 efforts, training was conducted on identifying hazards, using the correct engineering controls, and making sure workers know how to protect themselves by wearing proper personal protective equipment to reduce airborne exposures. There was compliance with all bioenvironmental requirements. "It just showed that workers were taking good initiatives," said Hurley.