Safety Training Presentation Working Safely With Benzene 29 CFR 1910.1028.

Safety Training Presentation

Working Safely With Benzene29 CFR 1910.1028

Goals

Health and fire hazards, exposure monitoring Controls, safe work practices, PPE Quiz

Benzene Uses

Solvent for making other chemicals and plastic

Manufacture of detergents and pharmaceuticals

Gasoline

Potential Exposure

Work in industries that manufacture or use benzene

Emissions from burning coal, oil, vehicles, gasoline

Tobacco smoke Drinking contaminated water

Physical Properties

Colorless liquid Volatile Heavier than air Highly flammable Sweet odor

Acute Health Effects

Irritated eyes and skin Irritated nose and throat Skin redness and blisters Dizziness, headache,

vomiting Convulsions, coma, death

Chronic Health Effects

Causes drying or scaling of skin Affects blood cells Causes chromosomal aberrations May effect reproductive systems Causes cancer—leukemia

Fire Hazards

Flammable liquid Poisonous gases produced Vapor is heavier than air Benzene floats on water Use dry chemical,

CO2, water spray, foam

Workplace Limits

OSHA: 8 hours - 1 ppm; 15-min. – 5 ppm ACGIH: 8 hours - 0.5 ppm; 15-min. – 2.5 ppm NIOSH: 10 hours - 0.1 ppm; 15-min. – 1 ppm Carcinogens may not have a safe exposure

level

Exposure Monitoring

Breathing zone air samples 8-hour time weighted

average Short-term exposure levels Test urine samples

More Exposure Monitoring

Monitoring frequency Termination of monitoring More monitoring Employee notification

Goals

Health and fire hazards, exposure monitoring Controls, safe work practices, PPE Quiz

Exposure Above the PEL

Engineering controls and work practices

Respiratory protection Written compliance

program

Engineering Controls

Enclose or isolate operations

Local exhaust ventilation

Automatic and enclosed pump systems

Vapor control system

Safe Work Practices

Remove contaminated clothing

Do not take contam-inated clothing home

Eye wash station should be provided

Emergency shower should be provided

More Safe Work Practices

Shower at end of work shift Do not eat, drink, or smoke

near benzene Wash hands before eating,

smoking, using restroom Confined spaces—check

for explosive gases

Handling and Storage

Regulate and mark area Keep away from oxidizing agents Store in tightly closed container No smoking or sources of ignition Ground containers during transfer Use non-sparking tools

Communicating Benzene Hazards

Post signs –Danger Benzene

–Cancer Hazard

–Flammable—No Smoking

–Authorized Personnel Only

–Respirator Required

Label containers Material Safety Data Sheets

Personal Protective Equipment

Solvent-resistant clothing and gloves

Butyl Neoprene, VitonTM/Neoprene

Goggles Face shield

Respiratory Protection

Installation of engineering controls, maintenance, emergencies

Respiratory protection program < 50 ppm – full-face organic vapor < 100 ppm – full-face powered organic vapor < 1,000 ppm – full-face supplied air > 1,000 ppm – full-face SCBA

First-Aid

Eyes—flush with water Skin—remove clothing,

wash with soap and water Breathing—get to

fresh air Swallowing—do

not induce vomiting

Spills

Evacuate from spill area Remove ignition sources Cover with activated

charcoal adsorbent Ventilate and wash area

Medical Surveillance

Before beginning employment

Regular intervals after that

Emergency exams Blood count Past and present symptoms Physician’s written opinion

Goals

Health and fire hazards, exposure monitoring Controls, safe work practices, PPE Quiz

Summary

Hazards of benzene Workplace exposure Follow all safe work practices Wear PPE Medical surveillance

Quiz & Review

Quiz

1. What does benzene look and smell like?

2. Describe some acute health effects of breathing benzene vapors.

3. What type of cancer is linked to chronic exposure?

4. Besides a health hazard, what other hazard does benzene present?

5. What do TWA and STEL stand for when discussing air monitoring?

Quiz (cont.)

6. Describe a benzene engineering control.

7. Discuss good hygiene practices when working with benzene.

8. Describe safe practices when transferring benzene.

9. What materials should protective gloves and clothes be made of?

10. Who should be involved in the medical surveillance program?

Quiz Answers

1. Colorless liquid with a sweet odor

2. Irritate nose and throat, dizziness, headache, vomiting, convulsions, coma, death

3. Leukemia

4. Benzene is a fire hazard

5. TWA—8-hour time weighted average, STEL—short-term exposure level

Quiz Answers (cont.)

6. Engineering controls include enclosure, local ventilation

7. Wash before eating, smoking; wash at end of shift; remove contaminated clothes

8. No smoking, ground containers, non-sparking tools

9. Butyl Neoprene, VitonTM/Neoprene

10. Anyone that could potentially be exposed to benzene