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BENZENE

29 CFR 1910.1028

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[Company]— [Address]

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BENZENE Workplace Safety Talk

OSHA rule 29 CFR 1910.102 refers to one of the most hazardous materials commonly used today – Benzene. Benzene is an important component of many industrial products and motor fuels. It is a component in the manufacturing of products such as plastics, resins, lubricants, chemicals, dyes, nylon and pesticides.

Benzene is a colorless liquid with a sweet, aromatic odor. It is highly flammable.

The primary source of exposure is through inhalation, but can also cause severe eye irritation and can be absorbed through the skin causing poisoning. Contact with the skin may also result in blisters and burns.

Benzene is a known carcinogen. Long term exposure can cause blood disorders and cancer.

Symptoms of overexposure to Benzene are:

  • Breathlessness
  • Irritability
  • Euphoric or Giddy
  • Irritation in eyes, nose and respiratory track
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Intoxicated

Severe exposure may lead to convulsions and loss of consciousness.

Employers must post warning signs around regulated areas, entrances and access points to the area.

Signs must read:

Labels: Labels are required on all Benzene containers and must be maintained in a legible condition. The labels must meet 29 CFR 1910.1200 and include the legend: DANGER, BENZENE, CANCER HAZARD.

Employers must provide training to employees when:

  • Employee is initially assigned to a work area where Benzene is present.
  • If the exposures are above the action level, then training must be provided at least annually.

All training must be in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1200 Hazard Communications standards.

Training Tips

Read: 29 CFR 1910.1028 and review the requirements with your employees.

SELECT HANDOUT: Select and review which handout you will use. Make copies for your employees.

Gather: Any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to be used in the area, for demonstration of proper use. Review the Company’s policy on the use of PPE.

Review: Symptoms of Benzene exposure with your employees.

Benzene Overview Handout #1

Benzene is a commonly used hazardous industrial chemical and

has the following characteristics:

  • Colorless liquid
  • Sweet, aromatic odor
  • Is highly flammable
  • Is a known carcinogen

How can it hurt me?

  • Benzene is poisonous if inhaled.
  • Benzene is a severe eye irritant.
  • Benzene can be absorbed through the skin. Contact with skin can cause burns and blistering.
  • If swallowed, benzene can cause a person to feel breathless, irritable, nauseous, go into convulsions or lose consciousness.
  • Long term Benzene exposure can cause leukemia and anemia.

What must I do?

Read all warning labels and follow the instructions on the MSDS for the use of personal protective equipment.

If you believe you have been exposed to Benzene, notify your employer immediately.

Benzene Sign –Off Sheet

The employees of ______Company Name______, listed below, havetaken part in a training session on Benzene. The session covered:

  • The requirements of CFR 1910.1028 Benzene
  • The symptoms of Benzene exposure.
  • The location of the MSDS sheets and how to read them.
  • The proper use of personal protection equipment to be used while working with Benzene.
  • What to do if exposed to Benzene.

Date of Training:
/ / /
Facility:
/
Employee Signature / PRINT NAME

Work Safely with Benzene Overview Handout #2

Benzene is colorless liquid with a sweet, aromatic odor. Industry and manufacturing use Benzene to make chemicals for Styrofoam and detergents, drugs, dyes, lubricants, nylon, pesticides, plastics, resins, plastics, some types of rubber, and synthetic fibers.

How can it hurt me?

Benzene is primarily an inhalation hazard. Inhalation of significant amounts can affect central nervous system functions. Even the aspiration of a small amount of liquid benzene causes immediate pulmonary edema and hemorrhage of pulmonary tissue.

Effects of Exposure / First-Aid Procedures
High levels of Benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, tremors, confusion and unconsciousness. / Listed below are some suggested actions to take in situations involving Benzene exposure:
  • Eye Exposure: Flush immediately with large amounts of water for 15 minutes. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION.
  • Skin Exposure: Promptly wash with soap and water, removing any contaminated clothing. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION.

Breathing lower levels of Benzene over a longer period of time can cause damage to blood cells, bone marrow and cancer.
Ingesting (eating or drinking) Benzene can cause:
  • Vomiting or irritation of the stomach
  • Dizziness
  • Sleepiness
  • Convulsions
  • Rapid Heart Rate
  • Coma
  • Death

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Benzene is harmful to the tissue that forms blood cells. Even a brief exposure of 5-10 minutes to Benzene in the air at high levels can cause death.

Exposure to Benzene happens most frequently from breathing contaminated air from industry, automobile exhaust (20 percent of exposures), tobacco smoke (50 percent of exposures), or gasoline fumes.

Signs and Symptoms of Exposure

Direct skin contact with Benzene may cause erythema (redness of the skin due to congestion of the capillaries).

Repeated or prolonged skin contact may cause drying, scaling dermatitis or development of secondary skin infections.

Benzene can be absorbed through the skin and can be a severe eye irritant.

/ Employers must post and maintain signs around regulated areas as well as entrances and access points.
The signs must read:
Danger
Benzene
Cancer Hazard
Flammable – No Smoking
Authorized Personnel

QUIZ ______

True or False

  1. Small amounts of Benzene ingested over a long period of time can cause cancer.
  2. Benzene contact with your skin might cause redness of the skin.
  3. If you get Benzene in your eyes you should call 911 right away.
  4. Benzene has a sweet smell and is green liquid.
  5. Benzene can cause your heart rate to slow down.
  6. You should use proper PPE when handling Benzene.


Work Safely with Benzene: Sign –Off Sheet

The employees of ______Company Name______, listed below, havetaken part in a training session onWork Safely with Benzene. The session covered:

  • How to identify Benzene.
  • The signs and symptoms of Benzene exposure.
  • Effects of Benzene exposure.
  • First aid procedures for Benzene exposure.

Date of Training:
/ / /
Facility:
/
Employee Signature / PRINT NAME

______

Supervisor’s Signature