Beryllium in Defence

Defence is taking very seriously issues raised in the media about possible harmful exposure to Beryllium in the Defence workplace going back a number of years. In addition to the policy and processes currently in place for preventing exposure and for medical and other management of suspected or reported exposure, Defence, has:

• established a Beryllium Information Service (BIS) for concerned members and former ADF members, or the public to receive factual information and register their name as someone who was potentially exposed. Commenced on 17 February and the contact number is 1800 000 644;
• posted on Defence websites information about beryllium-related exposure;
• conducted testing at the DSTO of pneumatic needle guns to assess the likelihood of exposure to beryllium dust arising from their use;
• conducted detailed investigations to establish the facts about when and where the copper-beryllium needles were used, and establish other possible sources of beryllium-related exposure.

A Department of Veterans’ Affairs system is already in place for determining claims arising from beryllium exposure. A small number of cases have already been dealt with under this system.

For any corporate policy questions please email ohsc@defence.gov.au.

Information about Beryllium can be located from the following links.

Fact Sheet - Information on Beryllium (04 August 2005)

Defence Media Release - Beryllium Information Service Now Operational (17 February 2005)

Defence Ministerial Media Release - Concerns allyed over Beryllium (9 February 2005)

Defence Media Release - Exposure to Beryllium (25 January 2005)

Exposure Standards - Beryllium and Compounds - Australian Government National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC)

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