Benzene

Scope

OSHA’s requirements for benzene apply to all occupational exposures to benzene, EXCEPT:

Regulatory citations

• 29 CFR 1910.1028 — Benzene

Key definitions

• Action level: An airborne concentration of benzene of 0.5 ppm calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average.
• Authorized person: Any person specifically authorized by the employer whose duties require the person to enter a regulated area, or any person entering such an area as a designated representative of employees for the purpose of exercising the right to observe monitoring and measuring procedures under paragraph (l) of this section, or any other person authorized by the Act or regulations issued under the Act.
• Benzene (C6H6) (CAS Registry No. 71-43-2): Liquefied or gaseous benzene. It includes benzene contained in liquid mixtures and the benzene vapors released by these liquids. It does not include trace amounts of unreacted benzene contained in solid materials.
• Bulk wholesale storage facility: A bulk terminal or bulk plant where fuel is stored prior to its delivery to wholesale customers.
• Container: Any barrel, bottle, can, cylinder, drum, reaction vessel, storage tank, or the like, but does not include piping systems.
• Day: Any part of a calendar day.
• Emergency: Any occurrence such as, but not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment which may or does result in an unexpected significant release of benzene.
• Employee exposure: Exposure to airborne benzene which would occur if the employee were not using respiratory protective equipment.
• Regulated area: Any area where airborne concentrations of benzene exceed 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.
• Vapor control system: Any equipment used for containing the total vapors displaced during the loading of gasoline, motor fuel or other fuel tank trucks and the displacing of these vapors through a vapor processing system or balancing the vapor with the storage tank. This equipment also includes systems containing the vapors displaced from the storage tank during the unloading of the tank truck which balance the vapors back to the tank truck.

Summary of requirements

Employers must:

• Observe PELs. No employee may be exposed to an airborne concentration of benzene in excess of one part of benzene per million parts of air (1 ppm) as an 8-hour time-weighted average. (The Short-term exposure limit (STEL) must also be observed. No employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of benzene in excess of five (5) ppm as averaged over any 15 minute period.)
• Institute a training program for all employees who are exposed to airborne concentrations of benzene at or above the permissible exposure limit.
• Establish regulated areas 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.
• Follow proper hygiene practices and provide a clean room.
• Implement appropriate monitoring and medical surveillance.
• Ensure appropriate medical evaluation.
• Provide adequate personal protective equipment and clothing.
• Implement a respiratory protection program when employees must use respirators.
• Implement appropriate engineering controls and work practices.
• Provide appropriate signs and labels to warn of and identify hazards.