Ten OSHA employees test positive for sensitization to beryllium
Ten OSHA employees have tested positive for sensitization to beryllium, as the agency recently announced the results of a pilot program to test its compliance safety and health officers for sensitization to the potentially harmful metal. Under its pilot beryllium medical monitoring program, OSHA offered voluntary testing to its personnel who may have had potential exposure to beryllium in the course of their work.
Jonathan L. Snare, acting OSHA chief, said: "As of March 15, 2005, 302 OSHA employees requested testing for beryllium sensitization; 271 of those tests have been completed, while 31 who initially expressed interest have yet to take steps to schedule their appointments. Ten employees, or 3.7 percent of those tested, have tested positive for sensitization to beryllium.â€