QSE & compliance
Health and Safety
Occupational Health and Safety
NGK Safety and Prevention Culture
We have implemented management systems that include ISO 45001 certification, obtained in March 2021.
For over a century, our NGK Group, founded in 1919 in Japan, has developed a strong culture of safety and prevention. We benefit from the tools and funding provided by the Group, as well as from internal training and audits that contribute to our continuous improvement.
In addition, at the local level, NGK Berylco France has joined a network of several companies in the western region of France focused on “safety and environment.” Conducting cross-audits with our local partners helps improve our company policy on occupational safety and environmental protection.
Specific case of beryllium
Beryllium, the key element in our alloys, present at up to 2% by mass, requires specific precautions in the workplace.
Beryllium can pose a skin risk (skin sensitisation) and requires the use of protective gloves, as is the case for many other metals.
In addition, beryllium poses a risk through inhalation of fine airborne particles (< 10 microns). Individuals who are sensitised (allergic) to beryllium and exposed may develop a chronic lung disease: chronic beryllium disease (CBD). This results from an immune system reaction in the pulmonary alveoli (formation of granulomas). It can be treated but is not curable.
Good practices related to beryllium at NGK Berylco France
At our production site in Couëron, France, we carry out several continuous operations on copper–beryllium alloy coils: cold rolling, shearing (slitting), pickling, heat treatment, and logistics (receiving, storage, shipping of semi-finished products).
For more than 50 years of operations, we have implemented good practices that we continuously improve:
- Controlled access to the production area (separate building, access restricted to authorised workers and approved visitors only).
- Ventilation systems: ventilated spaces, exhaust ventilation, local extraction where required
- Hygiene measures for exposed workers: dedicated work clothing cleaned regularly, changing rooms, washbasins and showers (mandatory hand washing at the end of each shift), responsible behaviour in the production area (no eating, drinking or smoking).
- Thorough cleaning of premises and work surfaces: floors and workstations cleaned regularly.
- Regular evaluation of exposure levels: measurement of copper and beryllium concentrations in the air and on work surfaces by an accredited specialist service provider. This ensures that we comply with the Occupational Exposure Limit Values in force in France for these two metals.
- Communication to stakeholders: regular awareness-raising for workers, communication with local occupational health authorities.
“Be Responsible” Programme
NGK Berylco France is a founding and active member of the Beryllium Science & Technology Association (BeST), founded in 2011 in Brussels, Belgium. As part of this initiative, we participated in the development of a voluntary good practice programme for products containing beryllium (Beryllium Product Stewardship Program) called “Be Responsible,” freely accessible online at www.berylliumsafety.eu.
The Be Responsible programme is available in a summarised version in all European languages: www.berylliumsecurite.fr.
The worker protection model of the Be Responsible programme is based on 8 common-sense principles designed to limit the release and spread of fine dust that may contain beryllium:
1. Protect the lungs (wear a respirator if the occupational exposure limit value is exceeded).
2. Protect the skin (wear gloves).
3. Ensure cleanliness of work clothing.
4. Contain particles at the source (wet machining, local exhaust ventilation).
5. Contain particles in the work area (avoid the spread of dust beyond the work area by people, products, equipment or tools).
6. Contain particles within the industrial site.
7. Maintain cleanliness of work areas (regular cleaning of surfaces by wet methods or vacuuming).
8. Regularly raise worker awareness.
Beyond materials containing beryllium, these principles can be applied to any substance posing a risk through inhalation of fine particles (metals, minerals, wood, flour, solvents, etc.).
The Be Responsible programme offers a set of 12 downloadable guides in the five main European languages: English, French, German, Spanish and Italian:
- 3 general guides: Health and Safety / Hygiene & Personal Protective Equipment / Exposure Assessment
- 9 guides specific to the most common industrial operations. These are divided into two categories: low inhalation risk (CNC machining / Sawing / Press cutting) and probable inhalation risk (Electrical discharge machining (EDM) / Blasting, grinding, sanding, polishing / Melting / Foundry / Heat treatment / Forging / Welding).
For any questions regarding the risks and precautions to be taken, you can contact our expert in charge of regulatory affairs and good practices for the use of our products: Angélique Renier.
Berylco alloys Safety Information Sheet
We produce articles within the meaning of the REACH regulation, namely: “an object which during production is given a special shape, surface or design which determines its function to a greater degree than its chemical composition.”
We therefore provide our customers with a Safety Information Sheet for our Berylco alloy articles. This SIS contains all the information necessary for the safe handling of our products.
It should be noted that Safety Data Sheets are mandatory only for substances and preparations (mixtures), not for articles. For any questions, please contact us.