I am handling worker’s compensation cases all over the state of Missouri for employment-related beryllium exposure. The most common health effects associated with over exposure to beryllium in the workplace include beryllium sensitization, chronic beryllium disease (CBD), and lung cancer.

OSHA estimates that approximately 62,000 workers are potentially exposed to beryllium in approximately 7,300 establishments in the United States, including approximately 12,000 workers in the construction and shipyard industries. The highest exposures to beryllium occur in the workplace, and exposure data from OSHA’s Occupational Safety and Health Information System (OIS) identifies workers engaged in primary beryllium manufacturing, alloy production, and recycling as having the highest exposures to beryllium.

General industry occupations with potential exposure to beryllium include: 1) primary beryllium production workers; 2) workers processing beryllium/metals/alloys/composites including, but not limited to, foundry workers, furnace tenders, machine operators, machinists, metal fabricators, welders, and dental technicians; 3) secondary smelting and refining (recycling electronic and computer parts, metals); and 4) abrasive blasters. Construction and shipyard occupations with potential exposure to beryllium include: 1) abrasive blasters and pot tenders; 2) laborers; and 3) welders.

If you believe you have been exposed to beryllium in the workplace and suffered exposure-related health conditions, please call David G. Hughes at Mogab & Hughes Attorneys at 314-241-4477.