The only official copy of this file is the one on-line in the NSLS ESH website. Before using a printed copy, verify that it is the most current version by checking the document issue date on the NSLS ESH website.
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Number: |
LS-ESH-PRM-6.3.0 |
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Section: |
BERYLLIUM MANAGEMENT |
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Date: |
11/07/2007 |
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Revision: |
5 |
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Prepared by: |
Andrew Ackerman, John Aloi, Nicholas Gmür |
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Approved by: |
Chi-Chang Kao, NSLS Chairman |
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1.0 PURPOSE
This procedure is to establish requirements for work with Beryllium (Be) metal, Be compounds, and Be alloys within the NSLS Complex (NSLS and DUV-FEL) for control of risks to personnel and the environment. It is based upon the BNL Beryllium Subject Area, which should be consulted for detailed information beyond the scope of this NSLS PRM
2.0 SCOPE
The requirements outlined here apply to work with Be articles including windows and vacuum enclosures, and to work with Beryllium/Copper (Be/Cu) parts such as electrical contacts and springs.
3.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1
Engineering/Scientific Staff: NSLS
engineers and scientists are responsible to plan projects or work activities
that involve Be with attention to controlling any personnel or environmental
risks presented. They must assure
that work exceeding the scope of this procedure is reviewed under established
NSLS
PRM 1.3.6 Work Planning and Control Procedure.
3.2
NSLS ES&H Staff: The
NSLS ES&H Staff is responsible for providing guidance on work practices,
exposure monitoring, and control measures for Be projects.
3.3 NSLS Technicians: NSLS technicians are responsible to know and follow the requirements outlined in this procedure.
3.4 NSLS Work Control Manager: The Work Control Manager must assure that Plant Engineering and outside contractor projects are planned to comply with the requirements outlined in this procedure.
3.5 NSLS Users: NSLS Users are informed of the requirements for work with Be articles during orientation to the NSLS. Users are responsible to report use of these items on the NSLS Experimental Safety Approval Form and are required to contact the Operations Coordinator or Work Control Manager for work planning prior to clean-up of a broken Be article.
4.0 WORK CONTROL REQUIREMENTS
Current use of beryllium at the NSLS is limited to vacuum windows in X-ray beam lines, shrouds on Displexes, RF components using beryllia (BeO), beryllium/copper springs, beryllium/copper tools, and beryllium/copper electrical contacts. Any additional uses of beryllium will require ESH review prior to introduction of beryllium into the work place.
The requirements contained in this procedure will minimize the ES&H risks associated with Be work projects and will ensure compliance with the BNL Beryllium Subject Area. Dust producing activities are prohibited at BNL. Prohibited activities include machining, grinding, turning, cutting, sanding, buffing, polishing with abrasives, filing, welding, drilling, tapping, brazing, burning, or any other modification of the physical shape of an article. Be articles must be fabricated off site and returned to the vendor for any modifications that involve a process that will generate Be dust.
We must assure proper handling of articles and proper disposal of Be containing scrap that results from damaged articles. When undisturbed, Be articles present no significant risk to personnel. It is dust exposure and contact with sharp edges that we must avoid.
| Formal work planning and a written permit are required before working with broken Be articles, Be/Cu springs, Beryllia articles; oxidized Be articles; damaged Be/Cu electrical contact materials. Wipe samples and/or air samples may be required depending on the nature of the damage. |
4.1 Be Articles, Be/Cu Springs, Be/Cu Tools, Beryllia Articles.
4.1.1 Storage and Handling
- Be articles should be inspected for oxidation before handling. An oxide layer appears as a fine white powder. Oxidized Be articles may be cleaned as described below or discarded. The oxide layer is dispersable and could present risk for inhalation.
- Be articles are to be handled with disposable vinyl or nitrile gloves available in the NSLS Stock Room.
- Be articles in storage must be kept in sealed plastic bags or containers. The bag or container must be labeled with a completed NFPA label that includes the following information:
o Identity
o Date
o Completed diamond:
§ Health – 3
§ Fire – 0
§ Reactivity – 0
o
Owner Name
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Be and Beryllia articles in use should be labeled to identify them
as Be-containing material. This is
not a requirement, but is a good practice that will help in future
identification of these components.
-
There are no special requirements or precautions for storage of
Be/Cu Springs, Be/Cu tools, or Beryllia articles.
4.1.2 Damaged Be Articles, Be/Cu Springs, and Beryllia Articles
- Broken Be/Cu springs, Beryllia articles, Be windows or Be enclosures must be handled with care to avoid injury from sharp pieces and to avoid dispersal of any Be dust.
- Workers must don disposable nitrile gloves before collecting large pieces by hand. Large pieces should be placed in a rigid container to avoid injury from sharp edges. Collection with tongs, tweezers, or forceps is preferable.
- Surfaces contaminated with broken articles should be wiped with alcohol soaked rags after collection of large pieces to remove smaller pieces and any dust.
- After wiping with alcohol soaked rags, surfaces should be vacuumed with a HEPA filtered vacuum (available from the NSLS User Shop Manager).
- See "Wastes," Section 6 below.
4.1.3
Oxidized Be Articles
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If practical, oxidized Be articles, such as windows, should be moved to one of the
laboratory exhaust hoods for cleaning.
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Workers must don disposable nitrile or neoprene gloves and clean surfaces
with solvent soaked rags, cotton, cotton swabs, or gauze.
Isopropyl or ethyl alcohol are the preferred solvents.
The choice between nitrile and neoprene gloves is determined by expected
contact time with the solvent. Neoprene
gloves afford greater protection than the disposable nitriles.
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Where practical, secondary containment trays or adsorbent pads should be
used to control any surface contamination that may result from the cleaning
operation.
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“Scotch Brite” brand
plastic cleaning pads are a good choice for cleaning Be articles.
These pads are not particularly abrasive to the Be surface and are
effective at cleaning that surface. They
should be soaked with solvent when used to control any dust that is formed.
- See "Wastes," Section 6 below.
4.2
Be/Cu Electrical Contacts
4.2.1
Handling and Storage
- There are no special requirements or precautions for storage of Be/Cu Electrical Contacts.
- Operations involving these articles that may cause dust formation must be avoided. Cu/Be materials, such as spring fingers, may be cut with hand sheers without special controls.
4.2.2
Damaged Be/Cu Electrical Contact Materials
- Spring fingers and other Be/Cu contact materials used in high power equipment are sometimes damaged by electrical arcing resulting in burning and melting of the Be/Cu material. The clean up of this material must be planned with attention to avoiding dispersal of the soot and dusts that may have formed.
- When practical, the damaged equipment should be moved to a clear area for the clean up. Access to the area should be restricted to those personnel involved in the cleaning.
- Personnel must wear neoprene gloves and aprons or lab coats to protect their skin and clothing during clean up work. Disposable tyvek suits are also acceptable. Eye protection is also required as splash protection.
- Surfaces should be wiped with ethyl or isopropyl alcohol and kept wet to control any dusts.
- See "Wastes," Section 6 below.
5.0 Training
"Beryllium Use at BNL" (#TQ-BERYLLIUM1) is available as computer-based training (CBT), but not currently required training for NSLS staff or Users because of the limited nature of the current use of this material. However, training may be required as a result of work planning for a clean-up effort.
The NSLS User and staff community receive Be hazard awareness training as part of the NSLS Safety Module (LS-ESH-SAFETY), but personnel assigned to beamlines may be required to take the BNL-based training at the discretion of NSLS ESH staff.
Hazardous Waste Generator Web-based training is also available.
6.0 Wastes
- Waste Be articles, Cu/Be materials, and Beryllia must be disposed through the BNL Waste Management Facility as RCRA Hazardous Wastes.
- Be contaminated clothing and clean up materials must be disposed with attention to the amount of Be present. Materials that do not have visible gross Be contamination may be disposed in the routine trash. Materials that are obviously Be contaminated must be disposed through the BNL Waste Management Division as RCRA Hazardous Waste.
- Solvent soaked rags must be disposed as RCRA Hazardous Waste through the BNL Waste Management Division.
DOCUMENTATION & LIST OF NSLS BERYLLIUM USE REVIEW FORMS
The only official copy of this file is the one on-line in the NSLS ESH website. Before using a printed copy, verify that it is the most current version by checking the document issue date on the NSLS ESH website.
BNL Home Page..........NSLS Home Page
For information regarding this document contact Nick Gmur, gmur@bnl.gov Maintained by K. Loverro loverro@bnl.gov