National COSH on Proposed Rollback of Beryllium Rules: Workers Deserve Protection in All Workplaces

The following statement is from Jessica Martinez, co-executive director, National Council for Occupational Safety and Health:

“No matter where they work, U.S. workers deserve protection from exposure to hazardous – and potentially lethal – toxic materials. 

“The proposal announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor to weaken standards that limit exposure to beryllium for shipyard and construction workers is a step backwards. Beryllium can cause debilitating lung disease as well as lung cancer.

“The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration spent more than a decade on the rulemaking process for the standard that would be severely weakened by the proposal announced today. It is well documented that shipyard and construction workers can be exposed to beryllium.  They need the same protections as other workers – including monitoring and assessing exposure to potential harm and taking steps to eliminate hazards which can lead to life-threatening diseases.”

National COSH links the efforts of local worker health and safety coalitions in communities across the United States, advocating for elimination of preventable hazards in the workplace. For more information, please visit coshnetwork.org.