Safety alert 08/2011 - Highly toxic beryllium in welding electrodes

• No information on the beryllium content of the electrodes was supplied with the plant. 
• The agent for the supply of the machine and electrodes was not aware of the beryllium content of the electrodes or the associated hazards. 
• Due to the lack of information, the employer had not introduced controls that would have minimised exposure to beryllium. 

Employers

• Employers using welding electrodes must obtain information on the composition of the electrodes. 
• If the electrodes contain any toxic metals, employers must ensure a safe system of work is used to minimise exposure. 
• Beryllium free electrodes should be used where practical. However, if this is not practical, systems of work that do not produce dust or fumes must be implemented.  
• Air monitoring by a competent person, such as an occupational hygienist, may be required as part of a risk assessment to ensure that controls provide adequate protection to workers and that new hazards have not been introduced. 
• Health surveillance by an occupational physician is required where there is a risk to health from exposure to a hazardous substance (such as a toxic metal) and there are suitable health checks available.
• If beryllium exposure is likely to have occurred, health surveillance must be provided to workers or former workers at no cost to the worker. 

Suppliers of plant

• A person who designs, manufactures, imports or supplies plant (eg machines or electrodes) for use at a workplace must ensure information on any hazard associated with the plant is supplied with the plant and subsequently on request. This includes information on hazards that may occur during routine maintenance, such as beryllium exposure during electrode cleaning.

Further information relevant to the metal manufacturing industry can be obtained from WorkSafe’s website, or by contacting customer service on 1300 307 877 or email safety@demirs.wa.gov.au