Benzene

Regulated areas Regulated areas v Concentrations exceed permissible exposure limits (PEL) v Concentrations exceed short- term exposure limits (STEL) 1a

Regulated areas v Which job titles/functions are allowed to access regulated areas? 1b

Definitions v Benzene v PEL v Action level 2a

Definitions v STEL v Engineering controls v Work practices 2b

Monitoring v Employees are able to observe the monitoring. 3a

Monitoring v Ongoing monitoring depends upon the following factors: Concentrations at or above the action level, but at or below the 8- hour TWA (annually)Concentrations at or above the action level, but at or below the 8- hour TWA (annually) Concentrations above the TWA (at least every 6 months)Concentrations above the TWA (at least every 6 months) The STEL (as necessary)The STEL (as necessary) 3b

Monitoring v Monitoring is required after clean-up of spills, leaks, unintentional releases v Monitoring may be stopped under some conditions 3c

Monitoring v Employees must be told of monitoring results within 15 working days: IndividuallyIndividually Group postingGroup posting v Written notification must include corrective actions 3d

Monitoring v Additional monitoring may be performed if there is a change in: A processA process EquipmentEquipment PersonnelPersonnel Work practicesWork practices 3e

Monitoring v Written exposure plan is required if employees are exposed at or above PEL 3f

Physical hazards v Flammability v Explosions 4a

Health hazards v Inhalation v Eye exposure v Skin exposure v Ingestion 4b

Health hazards v Acts as a narcotic v Blood disorders v Vague symptoms v Carcinogen 4c

Health hazards v Reproductive health changes v Mutagenic v Tumorigenic 4d

Work practices v When working with benzene, workers should never: store or use cosmetics, lip balmstore or use cosmetics, lip balm drink or smokedrink or smoke 5a

Work practices v Storage and handling procedures v Prohibit sources of ignition v Use non-sparking tools 5b

Work practices v Never incinerate benzene cartridges, tanks, containers v Review flammable and combustible liquids regulations - 29 CFR c

Emergency procedures v Have fire extinguishers available v Use foam, CO2, or dry chemical, not water to fight a benzene fire 6a

Emergency procedures v Flush eyes with water, lifting eyelids v Flush skin with water and wash with soap 6b

Emergency procedures v Move victim to fresh air v Do not induce vomiting v Get immediate medical attention 6c

Emergency procedures v Review emergency procedures, including: Written planWritten plan Emergency contact phone numbersEmergency contact phone numbers Emergency contact personsEmergency contact persons v Remove all ignition sources 6d

Emergency procedures v Evacuate the area v Wear appropriate PPE in clean- up area v Properly dispose of all waste 6e

PPE v Depending on the process, the following PPE might be needed: Impermeable clothingImpermeable clothing GlovesGloves GogglesGoggles Face shieldsFace shields Other protective gearOther protective gear 7a

PPE v Understand the processes for proper: SelectionSelection UseUse InspectionInspection CleaningCleaning DisposalDisposal DecontaminationDecontamination 7b

Use and limitations of respirators v Respirators are required: during periods necessary to install or put into effect engineering controlsduring periods necessary to install or put into effect engineering controls during periods necessary to install or put into effect work practice controlsduring periods necessary to install or put into effect work practice controls 8a

Use and limitations of respirators v Respirators are required: where exposure levels are above the TWA or STELwhere exposure levels are above the TWA or STEL where engineering controls and work practice controls are not sufficient to keep exposures below the TWAwhere engineering controls and work practice controls are not sufficient to keep exposures below the TWA 8b

Medical surveillance v Medical surveillance is required for all employees exposed: at or above the action level for at least 30 daysat or above the action level for at least 30 days at or above the PEL 10 or more days per yearat or above the PEL 10 or more days per year to solvents containing more than 0.1% benzeneto solvents containing more than 0.1% benzene 9a

Medical surveillance v Exposure thresholds are determined without PPE use 9b

Medical surveillance v Examinations are: prior to assignment to an area where exposure may be at or above the conditions previously listedprior to assignment to an area where exposure may be at or above the conditions previously listed annuallyannually after exposure in an emergencyafter exposure in an emergency as a follow-up to previous examsas a follow-up to previous exams 9c

Medical surveillance v Examinations are: at intervals recommended by the company physicianat intervals recommended by the company physician whenever an employee shows signs and symptoms of toxic levels of exposurewhenever an employee shows signs and symptoms of toxic levels of exposure 9d

Medical surveillance v Employees who are required to use respirators at least 30 days per year will have a pulmonary function test every 3 years v Medical exams are thorough and emphasize blood chemistry 9e

Medical surveillance v Related conditions not directly related to benzene may be included in examinations v Employees receive a copy of the physician’s written opinion within 15 days after it is received by the company 9f

Medical surveillance v Records are retained by the employer for the duration of employment plus 30 years 9g

Signs and labels v Post and maintain signs around regulated areas, as well as entrances and access points 10a

Signs and labels v Report any faded or missing signs 10b

Signs and labels v Labels are required on all containers 10c

A copy of the benzene standard is available to all employees v 29 CFR a