California Code of Regulations › Title 8 - Industrial Relations › Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations › Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety › Subchapter 7 - General Industry Safety Orders › Group 16 - Control of Hazardous Substances › Article 110 - Regulated Carcinogens › Appendix A - Substance Safety Data Sheet, Benzene

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
I. Substance Identification
A. Substance: Benzene
B. Permissible Exposure: Except as to the use of
						  gasoline, motor fuels and other fuels subsequent to discharge from bulk
						  terminals and other exemptions specified in section
						  5218(a)(2):
1. Airborne: The maximum time-weighed average 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 as averaged
						  over a 15-minute sampling period.
2. Dermal: Eye contact must be prevented and skin
						  contact with liquid benzene must be limited.
C. 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.
II. Health Hazard Data
A. Ways in which benzene affects your health. Benzene
						  can affect your health if you inhale it, or if it comes in contact with your
						  skin or eyes. Benzene is also harmful if you happen to swallow it.
B. Effects of Overexposure.
1. 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 your 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.
2. 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.
III. Protective Clothing and Equipment.
A. Respirators. Respirators are required for those
						  operations in which engineering controls or work practice controls are not
						  feasible to reduce exposure to the permissible level. However, where employers
						  can document that benzene is present in the workplace less than 30 days a year,
						  respirators may be used in lieu of engineering controls. If respirators are
						  worn, they must have joint Mine Safety and Health Administration and the
						  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) seal of approval,
						  and cartridges or canisters must be replaced before the end of their service
						  life, or the end of the shift, whichever occurs first. If you experience
						  difficulty breathing while wearing a respirator, you may request a positive
						  pressure respirator from your employer. You must be thoroughly trained to use
						  the assigned respirator, and the training will be provided by your
						  employer.
B. Protective Clothing. You must wear appropriate
						  protective clothing (such as boots, gloves, sleeves, aprons, etc.) over any
						  parts of your body that could be exposed to liquid benzene.
C. Eye and Face Protection. You must wear splash-proof
						  safety goggles if it is possible that benzene may get into your eyes. In
						  addition, you must wear a face shield if your face could be splashed with
						  benzene liquid.
IV. Emergency and First-Aid Procedures.
A. Eye and Face Exposure. If benzene is splashed in
						  your eyes, wash it out immediately with large amounts of water. If irritation
						  persists or vision appears to be affected see a doctor as soon as
						  possible.
B. Skin Exposure. If benzene is spilled on your
						  clothing or skin, remove the contaminated clothing and wash the exposed skin
						  with large amounts of water and soap immediately. Wash contaminated clothing
						  before you wear it again.
C. Breathing. If you or any other person breathes in
						  large amounts of benzene, get the exposed person to fresh air at once. Apply
						  artificial respiration if breathing has stopped. Call for medical assistance or
						  a doctor as soon as possible. Never enter any vessel or confined space where
						  the benzene concentration might be high without proper safety equipment and at
						  least one other person present who will stay outside. A life line should be
						  used.
D. Swallowing. If benzene has been swallowed and the
						  patient is conscious, do not induce vomiting. Call for medical assistance or a
						  doctor immediately.
V. Medical Requirements
If you are exposed to benzene at a concentration at or
						  above 0.5 ppm as an 8-hour time weighted average, or have been exposed above 10
						  ppm in the past while employed by your current employer, your employer is
						  required to provide an initial medical examination and history and laboratory
						  tests and annually thereafter. These tests shall be provided without cost to
						  you. In addition, if you are accidentally exposed to benzene (either by
						  ingestion, inhalation, or skin/eye contact) under emergency conditions known or
						  suspected to constitute toxic exposure to benzene, your employer is required to
						  make special laboratory tests available to you.
VI. Observation of Monitoring
Your employer is required to perform measurements that
						  are representative of your exposure to benzene and you or your designated
						  representative are entitled to observe the monitoring procedure. You are
						  entitled to observe the steps taken in the measurement procedure and to record
						  the results obtained. When the monitoring procedure is taking place in an area
						  where respirators or personal protective clothing and equipment are required to
						  be worn, you or your representative must also be provided with, and must wear
						  the protective clothing and equipment.
VII. Access to Records
You or your representative are entitled to see the
						  records of measurements of your exposure to benzene upon written request to
						  your employer. Your medical examination records can be furnished to yourself,
						  your physician or designated representative upon request by you to your
						  employer.
VIII. Precautions for Safe Use, Handling and
						  Storage
Benzene liquid is highly flammable. It should be stored
						  in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area. Benzene vapor may
						  form explosive mixtures in air. All sources of ignition must be controlled. Use
						  nonsparking tools when opening or closing benzene containers. Fire
						  extinguishers, where provided, must be readily available. Know where they are
						  located and how to operate them. Smoking is prohibited in areas where benzene
						  is used or stored. Ask your supervisor where benzene is used in your area and
						  for additional plant safety rules.
1. New
						  section 5218 and Appendices A-E filed
						  4-20-90; operative 5-20-90 (Register 90, No.
						  23).
Note: Authority cited: Sections
							 142.3,
							 9020,
							 9030 and
							 9040, Labor
							 Code. Reference: Sections
							 142.3,
							 9004(d),
							 9009,
							 9020,
							 9030,
							 9031 and
							 9040, Labor
							 Code.