Former Beryllium Workers Discover Problems with Government Compensation Program

November 30‚ 2001 — Former Rocketdyne employees and other southern California beryllium workers recently attended meetings about a federal government program to compensate those exposed to beryllium in the workplace. At the time they worked for Rocketdyne‚ many employees labored without adequate protection against beryllium dust or were not informed about their beryllium exposure (see Rocketdyne Failed to Disclose Beryllium Use).

Because Rocketdyne mainly handled projects for the Department of Defense and the National Aeronautics & Space Administration rather than for the Department of Energy (DOE)‚ the company’s former employees might not be covered by the government compensation plan (Los Angeles Daily News‚ October 24‚ 2001). The program applies to DOE workers‚ atomic weapons workers‚ employees of the DOE’s contractors and subcontractors‚ and to individuals who worked for certain manufacturers supplying the DOE with beryllium.

Labor Groups Concerned About Composition of Advisory Board

For those workers that do qualify for the government compensation program‚ the application process may still be tedious. Applicants are subject to a review panel‚ and must take medical exams‚ obtain exposure records‚ and fill out complex paperwork. At present‚ a “Worker Advocacy Advisory Committee” advises the government about the best way to reach workers‚ handle the application process‚ and implement program goals. Labor groups have criticized the composition of the group‚ saying that it should include more workers.

Amount of Compensation May Be Inadequate

Another cause for concern is that the government compensation program provides a lump sum payment of only $150‚000 to an injured worker or the worker’s family. However‚ verdict awards and court settlements in chronic beryllium disease cases have exceeded that amount‚ which may not be adequate for the long—term care of the patient. See Government to Compensate Injured Beryllium Workers—Is It Enough? for more details about compensation and the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 (H.R. 5408).