Transcript BENZENE AWARENESS SAFETY

BENZENE
AWARENESS SAFETY
BENZENE AWARENESS SAFETY
The following Awareness level Benzene Safety
Program has been established to reduce employee
exposure and potential hazards that may be
encountered during various operations conducted at
assigned work locations.
BENZENE AWARENESS SAFETY
Employees are not expected to perform emergency
response cleanup where concentrations of Benzene
have the potential to be above the PEL (Permissible
Exposure Limit) of 1ppm (part per million). Should
employees be assigned such duties, specialize
training will be provided.
BENZENE AWARENESS SAFETY
Employees may work in locations such as:
1. Petroleum pipeline sites
2. Above and below ground tank removal
3. Emergency response to gasoline and oil spills
and
4. Soil remediation sites.
BENZENE AWARENESS SAFETY
Employees shall be made aware of the host facilities
contingency plans and programs for preventing
exposure to Benzene.
FACTS ABOUT BENZENE
What Benzene is
•
•
•
Benzene is a chemical that is a colorless or light
yellow liquid at room temperature. It has a sweet
odor and is highly flammable.
Benzene evaporates into the air very quickly. Its
vapor is heavier than air and may sink into lowlying areas.
Benzene dissolves only slightly in water and will
float on top of water.
FACTS ABOUT BENZENE
Where Benzene is found and how it is used
•
•
•
•
Benzene is formed from both natural processes and
human activities.
Natural sources of benzene include volcanoes and
forest fires. Benzene is also a natural part of crude
oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke.
Benzene is widely used in the United States . It ranks
in the top 20 chemicals for production volume.
Some industries use benzene to make other
chemicals that are used to make plastics, resins, and
nylon and synthetic fibers. Benzene is also used to
make some types of lubricants, rubbers, dyes,
detergents, drugs, and pesticides.
FACTS ABOUT BENZENE
How you could be exposed to Benzene
• Outdoor air contains low levels of benzene from
tobacco smoke, gas stations, motor vehicle
exhaust, and industrial emissions.
• Indoor air generally contains levels of benzene
higher than those in outdoor air. The benzene in
indoor air comes from products that contain
benzene such as glues, paints, furniture wax, and
detergents.
• The air around hazardous waste sites or gas
stations can contain higher levels of benzene
than in other areas.
FACTS ABOUT BENZENE
How you could be exposed to Benzene
• Benzene leaks from underground storage tanks
or from hazardous waste sites containing
benzene can contaminate well water.
• People working in industries that make or use
benzene may be exposed to the highest levels of
it.
• A major source of benzene exposure is tobacco
smoke.
FACTS ABOUT BENZENE
How Benzene works
•
•
Benzene works by causing cells not to work
correctly. For example, it can cause bone marrow
not to produce enough red blood cells, which can
lead to anemia. Also, it can damage the immune
system by changing blood levels of antibodies
and causing the loss of white blood cells.
The seriousness of poisoning caused by benzene
depends on the amount, route, and length of time
of exposure, as well as the age and preexisting
medical condition of the exposed person.
IMMEDIATE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF
EXPOSURE TO BENZENE
People who breathe in high levels of benzene may develop
the following signs and symptoms within minutes to several
hours:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Headaches
Tremors
Confusion
Unconsciousness
Death (at very high levels)
LONG-TERM HEALTH EFFECTS OF
EXPOSURE TO BENZENE
Long-term exposure means exposure of a year or more.
• The major effect of benzene from long-term exposure is
on the blood. Benzene causes harmful effects on the
bone marrow and can cause a decrease in red blood
cells, leading to anemia. It can also cause excessive
bleeding and can affect the immune system, increasing
the chance for infection.
• Some women who breathed high levels of benzene for
many months had irregular menstrual periods and a
decrease in the size of their ovaries. It is not known
whether benzene exposure affects the developing fetus
in pregnant women or fertility in men.
LONG-TERM HEALTH EFFECTS OF
EXPOSURE TO BENZENE
• Animal studies have shown low birth weights,
delayed bone formation, and bone marrow damage
when pregnant animals breathed benzene.
• The Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS) has determined that benzene causes cancer
in humans. Long-term exposure to high levels of
benzene in the air can cause leukemia, cancer of the
blood-forming organs.
HOW BENZENE POISONING IS TREATED
Benzene poisoning is treated with supportive
medical care in a hospital setting. No specific
antidote exists for benzene poisoning. The most
important thing is for victims to seek medical
treatment as soon as possible.
IDENTIFICATION
Liquefied or gaseous Benzene (C6H6) is a clear,
colorless sweet-smelling aromatic highly flammable
hydrocarbon that can usually be found naturally
occurring in crude oil, and in processed intermediate
or finished product hydrocarbon streams at
petrochemical or refining operation facilities.
IDENTIFICATION
It is further described by the following physical and
chemical characteristics:
Boiling Point (C 760 mmHg)
Melting Point (C)
Specific Gravity (H2O = 1)
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg)7
Percent Volatile by Vol (%)
Vapor Density (Air = 1)
Evaporation Rate (BuAc = 1)
Solubility in Water (%)
80.1C or 176F
5.5C
0.879
4.6 @ 20C
99+%
2.77
6.0
Insoluble
IDENTIFICATION
NFPA Hazard Ratings:
Health: 2
Flammability: 3
Reactivity: 0
Special Hazards: None
SPECIAL HAZARDS
FACTS ABOUT BENZENE
Toxicity
Airborne: The maximum time-weighted average
(TWA) exposure limit is 1 part of benzene vapor per
million parts of air (1 ppm) for an 8-hour workday and
the maximum short-term exposure limit (STEL) is 5
ppm for any 15-minute period.
Dermal: Eye contact shall be prevented and skin
contact with liquid benzene shall be limited.
FACTS ABOUT BENZENE
Toxicity
Appearance and Odor: Benzene is a clear, colorless
liquid with a pleasant, sweet odor. The odor of
benzene does not provide adequate warning of its
hazard.
FACTS ABOUT BENZENE
Health Hazard Data
Ways in which benzene affects your health:
• If you inhale it;
• If it comes in contact with your skin or eyes;
• If you happen to swallow it.
EFFECTS OF OVER-EXPOSURE
Short-term (acute) overexposure:
If you are overexposed to high concentrations of
benzene, well above the levels where its odor is first
recognizable, you may feel breathless, irritable,
euphoric, or giddy; you may experience irritation in
eyes, nose, and respiratory tract. You may develop a
headache, feel dizzy, nauseated, or intoxicated.
Severe exposures may lead to convulsions and loss of
consciousness.
EFFECTS OF OVER-EXPOSURE
Long-term (chronic) exposure:
Repeated or prolonged exposure to benzene, even at
relatively low concentrations, may result in various
blood disorders, ranging from anemia to leukemia, an
irreversible, fatal disease. Many blood disorders
associated with benzene exposure may occur without
symptoms.
EFFECTS OF OVER-EXPOSURE
The by-products of Benzene should be considered
toxic and the same precautions shall be used when
around or otherwise handling Benzene containing
materials.
FIRST AID MEASURES
Eye Contact: Flush with water for at least 15 minutes.
Get medical assistance.
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water thoroughly.
Immediately remove soaked clothing. Wash clothing
separately before re-use.
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air. If breathing has
stopped, perform artificial respiration. Get medical
assistance immediately.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Do not give
liquids. Get medical assistance immediately. Small
amounts that enter the mouth should be rinsed out
thoroughly.
POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS
ACCUTE & CHRONIC
Symptoms of exposure include toxic by any route,
headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, breathing
difficulties, collapse. May cause anemia, liver and kidney
damage. Irritation on contact with skin or eyes; may
cause eye damage.
Benzene is a known, proven carcinogenic substance per
NTP, IARC, & OSHA.
EXPOSURE DETERMINATION AND
LIMITS
Determination of employee exposure is made from
breathing zone air samples that are representative of
each employee’s average exposure to airborne
benzene. Representative 8-hour TWA employee
exposures shall be determined on the basis of one
sample or samples representing the full shift
exposure for each job classification in each work
area.
EXPOSURE DETERMINATION AND
LIMITS
Determinations of compliance with the STEL shall be
made from 15 minute employee breathing zone
samples measured at operations where there is
reason to believe exposures are high, such as where
tanks are opened, filled, unloaded, or gauged; where
containers or process equipment are opened and
where benzene is used for cleaning or as a solvent in
an uncontrolled situation.
EXPOSURE DETERMINATION AND
LIMITS
• Initial monitoring must be conducted at each covered
work place or work operation to determine accurately
the airborne concentrations of benzene to which
employees may be exposed.
• Periodic monitoring and monitoring frequency
requirements must be met if the monitoring reveals
employee exposure at or above the action level but at
or below the TWA. This shall be repeated at least every
year. IF the monitoring reveals employee exposure
above the TWA, the monitoring shall be repeated for
each such employee every (6) six months.
EXPOSURE DETERMINATION AND
LIMITS
• The Company may alter the monitoring schedule from
every six months to annually for any employee for
whom two consecutive measurements taken at least 7
days apart indicate that the employee exposure has
decreased to the TWA or below, but is at or above the
action level. Monitoring for the STEL shall be repeated
as necessary to evaluate exposure of employees
subject to short-term exposures.
EXPOSURE DETERMINATION AND
LIMITS
• Monitoring can be terminated if the initial monitoring
reveals employee exposure to be below the action
level, except as otherwise required. If the periodic
monitoring reveals that employee exposures, as
indicated by at least two consecutive measurements
taken at least 7 days apart, are below the action level,
then APEX may discontinue the monitoring for that
employee, except as otherwise required.
EXPOSURE DETERMINATION AND
LIMITS
• Additional monitoring shall be conducted when there
has been a change in the production, process, control
equipment, personnel, or work practices which may
result in new or additional exposures to benzene; or
when there is any reason to suspect a change which
may result in new or additional exposures.
• Whenever spills, ruptures, or other breakdowns occur
that may lead to employee exposure, monitoring (using
area or personal sampling) after the cleanup of the spill
or repair of the leak, rupture or other breakdown will be
done to ensure that exposures have returned to the
level that existed prior to the incident.
EXPOSURE DETERMINATION AND
LIMITS
• Monitoring accuracy shall be accurate to a confidence
level of 95%, to within plus or minus 25 percent for
airborne concentrations of benzene.
• Employees shall be notified of all monitoring results,
within 15 working days after the receipt of the results of
any monitoring performed, in writing, individually or by
posting of results in an appropriate location that is
accessible to affected employees.
EXPOSURE DETERMINATION AND
LIMITS
• Whenever PEL’s are exceeded, the written notification
shall contain the corrective action taken to reduce the
employee exposure to or below the PEL, or shall refer to
a document available to the employee which states the
corrective action to be taken.
CONTROLS
• Benzene liquid is highly flammable and its vapors may form
explosive mixtures in air. Fire extinguishers must be readily
available for use. Smoking is prohibited in areas where
Benzene is stored or used.
• Regulated areas are then established wherever the
airborne concentration of benzene exceeds or can
reasonably be expected to exceed the permissible
exposure limits, either the 8-hour time-weighted average
exposure of 1 ppm or the short term exposure limit of 5 ppm
for 15 minutes. Access to these regulated areas is then
limited to authorized personnel who will be provided with
appropriate levels of personal protective equipment.
CONTROLS
Safe work practices are then instituted which could
consist of or involve product line removal, blinding,
blanking, draining, cleaning, steaming, purging, highpressure washing, or neutralizing.
Safe-work
procedures such as lock-out/tag-out, hot-work, or
confined space entry are implemented to further
control exposure potentials.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
PPE will be worn where appropriate to prevent eye
contact and limit dermal (skin) exposure to liquid
benzene.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Employees can expect to wear one or more combinations
of the following provided equipment, as based on the
work permit requirements, operator’s instructions, or
established PPE guidelines:
•
•
•
•
•
•
ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses with rigid side shields
Chemical splash-proof goggles
Full face-shield
Chemical/hydrocarbon-resistant suit/coverall/clothing
Chemical/hydrocarbon-resistant gloves
Chemical/hydrocarbon-resistant over-shoes/boots
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
This equipment will be inspected prior to use and
maintained in a safe working condition. If any defects are
found or occur during use, this equipment will not be
allowed for use and will be provided and replaced at no
cost to the employee.
Respiratory Protection
• Whenever the described engineering and work practice
controls are determined to be ineffective at reducing
employee Benzene exposure potentials, then
respiratory protection will be provided.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Respiratory Protection
Respirators shall be used in the following circumstances:
• During the time period necessary to install or implement
feasible engineering and work practice controls;
• In work operations for which assessments establishes
that compliance with either the TWA or STEL through
the use of engineering or work practice controls is not
feasible, such as some maintenance and repair activities
or vessel cleaning;
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Respiratory Protection
• Other operations where engineering and work
practice controls are infeasible because exposures
are intermittent in nature and limited in duration;
• In work situations where feasible engineering and
work practice controls are not yet sufficient or are not
required to reduce exposure to or below the PEL’s;
• In emergency cleanup situations can reasonably be
expected to be encountered;
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Respiratory Protection
• In work situations where feasible engineering and
work practice controls are not yet sufficient or are not
required to reduce exposure to or below the PEL’s;
• In emergency cleanup situations can reasonably be
expected to be encountered;
REFERENCES
•
•
•
•
•
•
Regional Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Public Response Hotline (CDC)
800-CDC-INFO
888-232-6348 (TTY)
E-mail inquiries: [email protected]
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH), Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards