The rule had been scheduled to go into effect March 12. The delay will allow extra time for employers to comply with the rule prior to enforcement and to ensure uniform enforcement.
The rule had been finalized in January 2017. OSHA faces lawsuits from manufacturers and interest groups over the rule.
OSHA has reduced the standard for exposure to beryllium dust from 2.0 micrograms per cubic meter of air over an eight-hour period to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter. Beryllium is considered a carcinogen. The new rule requires protective measures and equipment, and changing rooms and showers for employees. OSHA included the construction and shipyard industries in the final rule after they were excluded from the initial proposal in 2015.
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