Safe handling of Beryllium particulate generated driving a screw 1

[uptight26]

I have some concerns [~50] related to employee safety driving 2 screws [3/32-50] into machine tapped holes in a beryllium [100% Be & solid] part. I know the screws will kick off particulate [lots of 0.01-2 micro gram particles], the agency exposure standards are way to lax, and I don't want employee turnover to be determined with an actuarial table. Has anyone, who's really cognizant of Be safety and 100% containment of micro gram particles, successfully dealt with this material in a production assembly capacity, and how?

 

[PSE]

Can a local vacuum be used at this step to remove particulates from the area? Depending upon the component size, you might be able to use a micro-environment such as a glove box for doing the operation though it makes for a harder job for the assembler (less dexterity, ergonomic etc). Mandating a respirator use can lead to a bunch of compliance concerns (in the US) so I would recommend looking at controlling the local environment as a first step. Could the operation be performed "wet" assuming that the part is cleaned at a later operational step?

Regards,

 

[nbucska]

Be is very bad medicine ...
U don't think it is enough to deal with the particles generated by the screw -- what about the particles from
prior operation, contact/rubbing by other parts or tools
etc?

If the Be can't be replaced with something else, I really
wouldn't like to be in your shoes...


<nbucska@pcperipherals DOT com> subj: eng-tips
read FAQ240-1032

 

[Kenneth]

http://www.brushwellman.com/EHS/Safety Facts/SF201.pdf

http://www.brushwellman.com/EHS/Safety Facts/SF101.pdf

http://www.brushwellman.com/EHS/Safety Facts/SF9.pdf

"I know the screws will kick off particulate [lots of 0.01-2 micro gram particles]"...

What leads you to believe that installing these two screws (into pre-tapped holes?) is going to generate "lots" of these kinds of particles?

 

[jasonhlv]

It's hard to give you helpful advice, when there are so many variables that are unknown. However, the adverse health effects of beryllium can be mitigated by preventing exposure to the worker's lungs and skin. Use proper PPE, and decontaminate the area when done.