General
- Benzene is a chemical with a specific OSHA regulation
- OSU Chemical Safety Committee has classified the chemical benzene as a High hazard carcinogen
- Use of this chemical must be registered and controlled
Characteristics
- Benzene is a clear, sweet-smelling, highly flammable liquid
- It is also known as benzol, benzole, coal naphtha, cyclohexatriene, phene, phenyl hydride, and pyrobenzol
- Benzene is harmful if it is inhaled, absorbed through the skin or swallowed
- Although benzene is carcinogenic, it can be used with little risk to health if used properly
Use Registration
Monitoring
- Whenever benzene is used outside an approved laboratory fume hood, EH&S should be contacted to perform air sampling
- The permissible exposure level (PEL) for benzene is 1 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workday
- Additional precautions must be taken if benzene levels exceed the PEL
- Users may monitor their own benzene exposure after consulting with EH&S
- Results of benzene monitoring must be documented, including:
- dates, number, and results of testing;
- methods used in testing and taking air samples;
- description of the type of any respirators worn;
- names and social security numbers of the people exposed
- Monitoring documentation must be kept on file for at least 30 years
- Department responsible for using the benzene must show the written results of all benzene testing to all affected workers
- Notification must be made within 15 working days after receiving the results and must include actions to reduce the benzene level if the PEL has been exceeded
- All employees who work with benzene has the right to observe the testing procedures
Training
- Before workers use benzene, they must be given information and training about how to use the chemical safely
- Reviewing and understanding this Safety Instruction will meet the minimum benzene training requirement
- Additional information about benzene is available from EH&S and other sources
Health Hazards of Benzene
- Short-term exposure to benzene, well above the levels where it can be smelled can cause breathless, irritable, euphoric, or giddy feelings
- Throat, eyes, and nose may become irritated
- Symptoms include feeling dizzy, nauseated, intoxicated, or a headache
- Severe exposure can cause unconsciousnees or convulsions
- Long-term exposure, even at very low concentrations, may cause incurable, fatal blood disorders such as anemia or leukemia.
- Many of these disorders associated with benzene develop without early symptoms.
Protective Clothing and Equipment
- Respirators are required where laboratory fume hoods or other local exhaust systems cannot be used
- Respirators must be approved for use with benzene and properly fitted and cartridges must be replaced before their service life ends
- Wearers must be trained in use and understand limitations before using any respirator.
- Respirator use is further described in Safety Instruction # 20
- Never enter an area without proper safety equipment if the area may have benzene concentrations that are too high
- Protective clothing should be worn to prevent skin contact if working with benzene
- Use boots, gloves, sleeves, aprons, etc. over any part of the body that might contact liquid benzene
- Eye and Face protection should be worn to prevent benzene from being splashed into eyes
- Gear includes safety glasses, splash-proof safety goggles, or a face shield
Emergency and First Aid Procedures
- Splashed in eyes
- wash out immediately with large amounts of water
- if eyes remain irritated or vision becomes blurry, see a doctor as soon as possible
- Spilled on body
- take off the contaminated clothing
- thoroughly wash the contacted skin with soap and water immediately
- wash contaminated clothes before wearing them again
- Inhaled large amounts
- quickly get the exposed person to fresh air quickly
- apply artificial respiration if the person has stopped breathing
- call for medical assistance
- Swallowed
- do not induce vomiting
- call for medical assistance
Precautions for Safe Use, Handling, and Storage
- Benzene is highly flammable
- Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from sparks or flames
- Transfer of benzene from one container to another must be done in welle ventilated area
- Transfer only with grounded, non-sparking equipment
- Benzene vapors are heavier than air so vapors may travel along the ground and ignite somewhere away from where it is being handled
- Fire extinguishers must be readily available
Signs and Labels
- Warning signs must be posted at entranced to areas where exposure to benzene might reasonably be expected to exceed the PEL
- Signs must contain the following wording:
DANGER
BENZENE
CANCER HAZARD
FLAMMABLE--NO SMOKING
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
RESPIRATOR REQUIRED
- All benzene containers must be labeled with:
DANGER
BENZENE
FLAMMABLE
INHALATION & CANCER HAZARD
Spill and Disposal Procedure
- Contact EH&S for assistance in dealing with all benzene spills of more than 500 ml
- Small spills should be immediately cleaned up using an appropriate absorbent
- Waste material should be contained and disposed of through the hazardous waste disposal program
- Benzene must not be poured down the sewer system.
Medical Surveillance
- A medical surveillance program must be established for those people who work regularly with benzene at or above the PEL
- Contact EH&S for the specific benzene levels and program procedures
Additional Information
- Contact EH&S for more information regarding safe handling procedures or copies of the state safety regulations on benzene