Transcript Benzene Regulated areas  Concentrations exceed permissible exposure limits (PEL)  Concentrations exceed shortterm exposure limits (STEL) 1a.

Benzene
Regulated areas
 Concentrations
exceed
permissible exposure limits
(PEL)
 Concentrations
exceed shortterm exposure limits (STEL)
1a
Regulated areas
 Which
job titles/functions are
allowed to access regulated
areas?
1b
Definitions
 Benzene
 PEL
 Action
level
2a
Definitions
 STEL
 Engineering
 Work
controls
practices
2b
Monitoring
 Employees
are able to observe
the monitoring.
3a
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
Monitoring
 Monitoring
is required after
clean-up of spills, leaks,
unintentional releases
 Monitoring
may be stopped
under some conditions
3c
Monitoring
 Employees
must be told of
monitoring results within 15
working days:
• Individually
• Group posting
 Written
notification must
include corrective actions
3d
Monitoring
 Additional
monitoring may be
performed if there is a change
in:
•
•
•
•
A process
Equipment
Personnel
Work practices
3e
Monitoring
 Written
exposure
plan is required
if employees are
exposed at or
above PEL
3f
Physical hazards
 Flammability
 Explosions
4a
Health hazards
 Inhalation
 Eye
exposure
 Skin
exposure
 Ingestion
4b
Health hazards
 Acts
as a narcotic
 Blood
 Vague
disorders
symptoms
 Carcinogen
4c
Health hazards
 Reproductive
health changes
 Mutagenic
 Tumorigenic
4d
Work practices
 When
working with benzene,
workers should never:
• store or use
cosmetics,
lip balm
• drink or smoke
5a
Work practices
 Storage
and handling
procedures
 Prohibit
 Use
sources of ignition
non-sparking tools
5b
Work practices
 Never
incinerate benzene
cartridges, tanks, containers
 Review
flammable and
combustible liquids regulations
- 29 CFR 1910.106
5c
Emergency procedures
 Have
fire extinguishers
available
 Use
foam, CO2,
or dry chemical,
not water to fight
a benzene fire
6a
Emergency procedures
 Flush
eyes with water, lifting
eyelids
 Flush
skin with
water and wash
with soap
6b
Emergency procedures
 Move
 Do
victim to fresh air
not induce vomiting
 Get
immediate medical
attention
6c
Emergency procedures
 Review
emergency procedures,
including:
• Written plan
• Emergency contact phone
numbers
• Emergency contact persons
 Remove
all ignition sources
6d
Emergency procedures
 Evacuate
the area
 Wear
appropriate PPE in cleanup area
 Properly
dispose of all waste
6e
PPE
 Depending
on the process, the
following PPE might be needed:
•
•
•
•
•
Impermeable clothing
Gloves
Goggles
Face shields
Other protective gear
7a
PPE
 Understand
proper:
•
•
•
•
•
•
the processes for
Selection
Use
Inspection
Cleaning
Disposal
Decontamination
7b
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
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
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
Medical surveillance
 Exposure
thresholds are
determined without PPE use
9b
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
Medical surveillance
 Examinations
are:
• at intervals recommended by the
company physician
• whenever an employee shows
signs and symptoms of toxic levels
of exposure
9d
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
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
Medical surveillance
 Records
are retained by the
employer for the duration of
employment plus 30 years
9g
Signs and labels
 Post
and maintain signs around
regulated areas, as well as
entrances and access points
10a
Signs and labels
 Report
signs
any faded or missing
10b
Signs and labels
 Labels
are required on all
containers
10c
A copy of the benzene
standard is available to all
employees
 29
CFR 1910.1028
11a