Be Responsible Program
Beryllium Science and Technology Association (BeST) byder dig velkommen til sit berylliumproduktforvaltningprogram "Be Responsible". Dette websted giver en introduktion til almindelig anvendelse af beryllium såvel som information og vejledning til forbedring af arbejdstageres sikkerhed under produktion og forarbejdning af berylliumholdige materialer. BeST repræsenterer de primære importører af beryllium til EU. En detaljeret version af Be Responsible-programmet kan findes på engelsk på www.berylliumsafety.eu.
KONTAKT OS
Beryllium Science & Technology Association AISBL
Rue Belliard 205
1040 Bruxelles
Tlf.nr.: +32 (0)2 213 74 20
E-mail: info @ beryllium . eu
HVAD ER BERYLLIUM?
Beryllium er et naturligt forekommende element, der ekstraheres fra mineraler som berylliummetal. Rent berylliummetal har et usædvanligt højt smeltepunkt og er det letteste af alle faste, kemisk stabile grundstoffer. Beryllium er en tredjedel lettere end aluminium, men har samtidig seks gange den specifikke stivhed i forhold til stål.
HVAD ER DEN MEST ALMINDELIGE ANVENDELSE AF BERYLLIUM?
Berylliums bruges mest som en metallegering med kobber og beryllium (CuBe) indeholdende 2 % eller mindre beryllium. Almindeligt producerede CuBe-former omfatter stang-, bar-, rør-, plade- og strimmelformer. Berylliumholdige legeringer bruges i elektrisk og elektronisk udstyr, medicinsk udstyr, energiudforskning, undersøiske strukturer, plastforme, trykafbrydere, fly, rumfart, kommunikation, bilindustrien og fremstilling af tungt udstyr, hvor pålidelighed og lang levetid er afgørende.
POTENTIELLE SUNDHEDS-EFFEKTER SOM FØLGE AF EKSPONERING FOR BERYLLIUM
Forarbejdning af berylliumholdige materialer kan udgøre en sundhedsrisiko, hvis man ikke følger sikker praksis, især i processer, der genererer støv. Indånding af luftbåren beryllium kan forårsage alvorlig lungesygdom hos overfølsomme personer, hvilket kan være dødelig.
Producenter og distributører af berylliumholdige produkter udarbejder sikkerhedsdatablad (SDS), produktinformationsark (PIS) eller sikkerhedsinformationsark (SIS), der giver yderligere sundheds-, sikkerheds- og miljøvejledning, der skal læses og forstås, inden der arbejdes med berylliumholdige materialer.
BESKYTTELSE
AF BERYLLIUMARBEJDERE
Driftsformer, der genererer luftbåret berylliumstøv eller røg, skal have eksponeringskontrollerende foranstaltninger såsom lokal udsugningsventilation. Arbejdereksponering ved den erhvervsmæssige eksponeringsgrænse (OEL) er ikke synlig og kræver indsamling af luftprøver af en industriel hygiejnemedarbejder eller andet kvalificeret fagfolk, der kontrollerer arbejdsmiljø og -sikkerhed, for at sammenligne med den gældende OEL.
Kernen i BeSTs Be Responsible-program er Beryllium Worker Protection Model (BWPM), der er baseret på otte elementer, der skal bruges af både ledelse og medarbejdere.
Hold Beryllium
Ude af lungerne Work Areas Clean
Off the Skin Off the Clothes
At the Source In the Work Area
On the Plant Site Workers Prepared
It is understood that this model is not a one size fits all approach and that end users may need all or only part of this model in their workplace. The success of this model recognizes that exceptional beryllium safety performance can be achieved by a combination of operating manager ownership of safety, a disciplined use of the beryllium worker protection model and active worker involvement.
CONTROLLING WORKPLACE EXPOSURES
The BWPM provides useful guidance and information to operating managers of facilities with workers handling beryllium-containing materials in ways which generate airborne particulate. The model encourages use of engineering and work practice controls, including personal protective equipment, to control potential worker exposure. Exposure controls to limit dust emission and dispersion are necessary to keep beryllium work areas clean and keep beryllium particulate out of the lungs, off the skin, off of clothing, in the work process, in the work area and on the plant site, must be evaluated and implemented as appropriate. Workers must be trained in safe work procedures.
The primary means for exposure reduction are engineering controls and keeping the workplace visibly clean. Local exhaust ventilation process isolation and wet processing are often effective means of controlling the generation of airborne particles. Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as a respirator, gloves, protective clothing and shoe covers may be required.
At www.berylliumsafety.eu, BeST provides a Sources of Exposure Tool that characterises risk potential by type of operation and provides guidance on specific operational concerns. The tool also includes worker training aids.
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE OF WORKERS
Employers should follow the requirements established by the respective member states regarding occupational health surveillance. However, BeST recommends any worker who exhibits signs or symptoms of exposure to beryllium be evaluated by a physician with expertise in chronic lung diseases. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, unexplained coughing, fatigue, weight loss, fever and night sweats. European countries have nominated focal points for safety and health at work, which are typically the competent national authority. A list of National Focal Points is available on our English site.
USES, BENEFITS AND CRITICAL APPLICATIONS OF BERYLLIUM
Due to its unmatched combination of properties, beryllium and beryllium-containing materials have become important materials for a wide range of commercial and governmental applications. These materials bring unrivalled benefits to society and is the material of choice in critical application where failure is not an option. Beryllium is a Critical Raw Material (CRM) to the EU and has been included on the EU’s CRM list since its first publication in 2011.
