This document summarizes regulations and safety procedures for working with benzene. It outlines permissible exposure limits, regulated areas, health hazards like cancer risks, required monitoring, emergency response procedures, necessary personal protective equipment, medical surveillance, and signage requirements. The Windsor Consulting Group provides industrial hygiene and occupational health consulting, with offices in Washington, DC and New York.

1. Benzene
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Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Health
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2. Regulated areas
Concentrations exceed
permissible exposure limit (PEL)
Concentrations exceed shortterm exposure limits (STEL)
1a

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

4. Definitions
Benzene vapor exposure in air
OSHA PEL – 1 ppm for 8-Hr TWA
OSHA Action Level (AL) –
0.5 ppm for 8-hour TWA
2a

5. Definitions
OSHA STEL – 5 ppm for 15minutes
Engineering and administrative
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 8hour 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 exposure
plan is required
if employees are
exposed at or
above PEL
3f

12. Physical hazards
Flammability
Explosions
4a

13. Health hazards
Inhalation as vapor
Eye exposure
Skin exposure – absorption and
defatting (ACGIH)
Ingestion
4b

14. Health hazards
Acts as a narcotic
Blood disorders
Vague signs and symptoms
Carcinogen - Acute Mylogenous
Leukemia (AML)
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 cleanup area
Properly dispose of all waste
6e

24. PPE
Depending on the process, the
following PPE might be needed:
•
•
•
•
•
Impermeable clothing
Impermeable 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
Labels are required on all
containers
Report any faded or missing
signs
10b

37. Benzene standard available
to all at-risk employees
29 CFR 1910.1028
11a

38. Conclusion
WCG
Offices located in Washington, DC and New York Metro Area
Email: windsgroup@aol.com
Tel: 1+ 732.221.5687
Websites: www.manta.com/c/mm41tzk/the-windsor-consulting-group-inc
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