Breathing zone

A hemisphere forward of the shoulders, centered on the mouth and nose, with a radius of 6 to 9 inches.

CBD

See "Chronic beryllium disease."

CBDPP

Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program.

Chronic beryllium disease

A disease of the lungs caused by the body's immune system and characterized by progressive scarring of the lungs.

Confirmed positive

Positive result based on analysis of two separate blood samples (Be-LPT or an equivalent test).

Contaminated

Presence of beryllium surface contamination in excess of 0.2 µg Be/100 cm2 or, when the visible accumulation of dust is present, in excess of the concentration (in µg Be/g of soil) of beryllium in soil at the point of release.

DOE

Department of Energy.

DOE contractor

Any entity under contract with DOE (or its subcontractor) that has responsibility for performing beryllium activities at DOE facilities. Includes LLNL and its subcontractors.

DOE facility

Any facility operated by or for DOE. Includes LLNL.

HEPA

High-efficiency particulate air (filter).

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter

A filter that traps and retains at least 99.97% of 0.3 m m monodispersed particles.

Immune response

The series of cellular events by which the immune system reacts to challenge by an antigen.

Medical Director

The physician responsible for the overall direction and operation of the site occupational medicine program. This position is referred to as the Site Occupational Medical Director in 10 CFR 850.

Medical removal protection benefits

The employment rights established by 10 CFR 850.35 for beryllium-associated workers who voluntarily accept temporary or permanent medical removal from beryllium areas following a recommendation by the Medical Director.

Non-beryllium work area

Workplaces where there is no beryllium to result in an exposure; beryllium articles may be present in such areas.

Nonoperational period

A period defined, based on the nature of the work, as the period commencing at either of the following:

* For ongoing, routine operations (i.e., production-type activities)--The end of the work shift or shifts, if work extends over one more consecutive shifts.

* For specific jobs (i.e., non-production or isolated activities)--The conclusion of the work, even if the work extends over 2 or more days. For long-term operations, the first definition applies.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

PAPR

Powered, air-purifying respirator.

PEL

See "Permissible exposure limit."

Permissible exposure limit

For beryllium, the PEL is 2 µg Be/m3 averaged over 8 hours.

Personal sample

An air sample taken in a worker's breathing zone (a hemisphere forward of the shoulders with a radius of approximately 6--9 inches) to evaluate a worker's exposure to airborne beryllium.

PPE

Personal protective equipment.

Regulated beryllium work area

An area, demarcated by the responsible employer, in which the airborne concentration of beryllium equals or exceeds, or can reasonably be expected to equal or exceed, the action level.

Removable contamination

Beryllium contamination that can be removed from surfaces by nondestructive means, such as casual contact, wiping, brushing, or washing.

Responsible employer

1. For DOE contractor employees, the DOE contractor office that is directly responsible for the safety and health of DOE contractor employees while performing a beryllium activity or other activity at a DOE facility.

2. For DOE employees, the DOE office that is directly responsible for the safety and health of DOE Federal employees while performing a beryllium activity or other activity at a DOE facility.

3. Any person acting directly or indirectly for either of the above offices with respect to the terms and conditions of employment of beryllium-associated workers.

SCBA

Self-contained breathing apparatus.

Shipment or shipping

Movement of an item over public roads.

Transfer

Movement of an item within the geographically contiguous property owned by, or under the control of, LLNL.

Unique identifier

The part of a paired set of labels, used in records that contain confidential information, that does not identify individuals except by using the matching label.

Visitor

A person who is not assigned to a beryllium work area but has an irregular or intermittent need to be in that area

WAL

Work authorization level.

Worker

A person who performs work for or on behalf of DOE, including a DOE employee, an independent contractor, a DOE contractor or subcontractor employee, or any other person who performs work at a DOE facility.

Worker exposure

The exposure of a worker to airborne beryllium that would occur if the worker were not using respiratory protective equipment. This is synonymous with "exposure."

Appendix B

Medical Protection Requirements

for Current and Prospective Beryllium Workers

B.1 Summary

LLNL recognizes the need for medical safeguards for beryllium workers at its facilities. LLNL offers medical examination and evaluation for LLNL employees and undertakes notification procedures in beryllium work areas and regulated beryllium work areas in support of workplace safety and health. LLNL strives to inform all employees in beryllium work areas and regulated beryllium work areas that exposures to airborne levels of beryllium, including those less than regulatory limits, may trigger sensitization among some individuals and that such sensitization has, in some cases, led to CBD. Programs and services offered to LLNL employees include tests for beryllium sensitivity and CBD, a medical examination program, and management assistance in seeking alternative assignments, when appropriate. The medical surveillance and notification requirement applies to current and prospective LLNL employees. Testing for beryllium sensitivity is recommended for employees assigned to beryllium work areas or regulated beryllium work areas.

B.2 Beryllium Sensitivity Tests

LLNL offers all LLNL workers who are beryllium-associated workers periodic tests for beryllium sensitivity. The tests are offered as a medical examination (either initial or periodic) that includes the Be-LPT or other blood tests for beryllium sensitivity as designated by the LLNL Medical Director. Workers who are, or may become, beryllium-associated workers are encouraged to accept either the Be-LPT or an equivalent designated test. Such workers shall be asked to acknowledge receiving information concerning beryllium sensitization and disease and being offered the beryllium sensitization test. The Health Services Department informs each individual of the test results, including the risks associated with developing CBD, if sensitivity to beryllium is shown. Test results are treated as confidential medical information and are released only with the individual's consent (consistent with current LLNL requirements) or as required by law, including 10 CFR 850 (Chronic Beryllium Prevention Program). Testing for beryllium sensitivity is recommended for all LLNL employees who are beryllium-associated workers and for any LLNL and UC employees transferring to an assignment in a beryllium work area or regulated beryllium work area.

The Be-LPT or equivalent test is offered as a part of a preplacement medical examination for new hires (i.e., accepted applicants) prior to beginning an assignment in a beryllium work area or regulated beryllium work area.

B.3 Reassignment Options

Described below are LLNL workers' options for reassignment from beryllium work.