1. Benzene

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

3. Regulated areas • Which job titles/functions are allowed to access regulated areas? 1b

4. Definitions • Benzene • PEL • Action level 2a

5. Definitions • STEL • Engineering controls • Work practices 2b

6. Monitoring • Employees are able to observe the monitoring. 3a

7. Monitoring • Ongoing monitoring depends upon the following factors: • 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) • The STEL (as necessary) 3b

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

9. Monitoring • Employees must be told of monitoring results within 15 working days: • Individually • Group posting • Written notification must include corrective actions 3d

10. Monitoring • Additional monitoring may be performed if there is a change in: • A process • Equipment • Personnel • Work practices 3e

11. Monitoring • Written exposureplan is required if employees are exposed at or above PEL 3f

12. Physical hazards • Flammability • Explosions 4a

13. Health hazards • Inhalation • Eye exposure • Skin exposure • Ingestion 4b

14. Health hazards • Acts as a narcotic • Blood disorders • Vague symptoms • Carcinogen 4c

15. Health hazards • Reproductive health changes • Mutagenic • Tumorigenic 4d

16. Work practices • When working with benzene, workers should never: • store or use cosmetics, lip balm • drink or smoke 5a

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

18. Work practices • Never incinerate benzene cartridges, tanks, containers • Review flammable and combustible liquids regulations - 29 CFR 1910.106 5c

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

20. Emergency procedures • Flush eyes with water, lifting eyelids • Flush skin with water and wash with soap 6b

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

22. Emergency procedures • Review emergency procedures, including: • Written plan • Emergency contact phone numbers • Emergency contact persons • Remove all ignition sources 6d

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

24. PPE • Depending on the process, the following PPE might be needed: • Impermeable clothing • Gloves • Goggles • Face shields • Other protective gear 7a

25. PPE • Understand the processes for proper: • Selection • Use • Inspection • Cleaning • Disposal • Decontamination 7b

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

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

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

29. Medical surveillance • Exposure thresholds are determined without PPE use 9b

30. Medical surveillance • Examinations are: • prior to assignment to an area where exposure may be at or above the conditions previously listed • annually • after exposure in an emergency • as a follow-up to previous exams 9c

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

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

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

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

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

36. Signs and labels • Report any faded or missing signs 10b

37. Signs and labels • Labels are required on all containers 10c

38. A copy of the benzene standard is available to all employees • 29 CFR 1910.1028 11a