Berylco Tools/Handling

BULLETIN #505-TD-1
GUIDE FOR SHARPENING BERYLLIUM COPPER TOOLS AS SUGGESTED BY OSHA STANDARDS

Everyday handling and normal use of Berylco Tools presents no known health hazard to the user. However, tools which may need sharpening from time to time – axes, chisels, scrapers, and others – carry a precautionary label reminding the user to read this bulletin before doing any grinding.

WARNING: Do not grind this tool without first reading Bulletin #505-TD-1, available upon request. This tool contains beryllium which, if, inhaled as air-borne dust, can cause serious lung disorders. A regrinding service is available if required.

Uncontrolled grinding may create a beryllium hazard if dust particles of the tool material are released into the air and inhaled. The alloy from which Berylco Tools are made contains about two percent beryllium, a metal regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA has established llimits upon the airborn concentration of beryllium dust or fume. Since these limits are subject to change, we refer the Berylco Tool user to the current OSHA standard for specific information, 29CFR1910.

The current limits, shown as a eight-hour time-weighted average, is two micrograms per cubic meter of air, with a ceiling concentration of five micrograms per cubic meter, and with a maximum thirty-minute concentration of twenty-five micrograms per cubic meter.

Another OSHA regulation requires local ventilation of the equipment, if grindingis done dry and the OSHA limits are exceeded. In our experience, generally properly designed local exhaust ventilation can assure compliance with the OSHA limits. Conversely, we have also observed that dry griding without local exhaust ventilation often results in excessive airborne concentrations.

Wet grinding is, of course, an available alternative. However, we remind the Berylco tool user that wet grinding is not a cure-all for exposure beyond the OSHA limits. Wet grinding, in our experience, has been known to generate a mist, which may enter the operator’s breathing zone, carrying entrained dust particles with it. When this occurs, an enclosure or local exhaust ventilation will be required to insure that the wet operation is safe.

Regardless of the method used, always wear the appropriate approved respirator.

NGK METALS CORPORATION PROVIDES A NO-CHARGE RE-SHARPENING SERVICE.

Please contact us with any questions.

Berylco non-sparking tools are the standard in the industry, used by most spark-sensitive industrial and government locations because of their superior toughness and durability.