1.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this procedure is to ensure Nitro Construction Services’ employees are protected from adverse health effects due to exposure to benzene.
2.0 RESPONSIBILITY
The Project Manager shall ensure the full and effective implementation of this procedure. All employees shall follow the requirements sets forth in this procedure.
3.0 REFERENCES
1910.1028
4.0 DEFINITIONS
4.1 Action Level – An airborne concentration of benzene of 0.5 ppm calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average.
4.2 Authorized Person – Any person specifically authorized by the employer whose duties require the person to enter a regulated area.
4.3 Benzene (C(6)H(6)) (CAS Registry No. 71-43-2) – Liquefied or gaseous benzene; 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.
4.4 Employee Exposure – Exposure to airborne benzene which would occur if the employee were not using respiratory protective equipment.
4.5 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.
5.0 PROCEDURE
5.1 Regulated are as
5.1.1 The employer shall establish a regulated area 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.
5.1.2 Access to regulated areas shall be limited to authorized persons.
5.1.3 The employer will notify employees of possible locations at the job site where they may be exposed to Benzene during their job functions before starting work.
5.2 Exposure Monitoring
5.2.1 Each employer shall monitor the workplace and work operations to determine the airborne concentrations of benzene to which employees may be exposed.
5.2.2 Initial monitoring shall be completed by 60 days after the effective date of the Benzene standard (29 CFR 1910.1028) or within 30 days of the introduction of benzene into the workplace.
5.2.3 The employer must notify each affected employee of these results either individually in writing or by posting the results in an appropriate location that is accessible to employees within 15 working days after receipt of the results of any monitoring performed.
5.3 Compliance Program
5.3.1 When any exposures are over the PEL, the employer shall establish and implement a written program to reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL primarily through engineering and work practice controls.
5.3.2 The written program shall include a schedule for the development and implementation of the engineering and work practice controls. These plans shall be reviewed and revised as appropriate based on the most recent exposure monitoring data, to reflect the current status of the program.
5.4 Appropriate respiratory protection shall be utilized during periods necessary to install or implement feasible engineering and work practice controls, during maintenance or repair activities, and when working operations engineering and work practice controls are not yet sufficient.
5.5 Medical Surveillance
5.5.1 The employer shall make available a medical surveillance program for employees who are or may be exposed to benzene at or above the action level 30 or more days per year; for employees who are or may be exposed to benzene at or above the PELs 10 or more days per year; for employees who have been exposed to more than 10 ppm of benzene for 30 or more days in a year before the effective date of the standard when employed by their current employer; and for employees involved in the tire building operations called tire building machine operators, who use solvents containing greater than 0.1 percent benzene.
5.5.2 The employer shall assure that all medical examinations and procedures are performed by or under the supervision of a licensed physician and that all laboratory tests are conducted by an accredited laboratory.
5.5.3 All examinations and procedures are provided without cost to the employee and at a reasonable time and place.
5.6 Communication of Benzene Hazards to Employees
5.6.1 The employer shall post signs at entrances to regulated areas. The signs shall bear the following legend:
DANGER
BENZENE
CANCER HAZARD
FLAMMABLE – NO SMOKING
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
RESPIRATOR REQUIRED
5.6 The employer shall ensure that labels or other appropriate forms of warning are provided for containers of benzene within the workplace. There is no requirement to label pipes. The labels shall include the following legend:
DANGER
CONTAINS BENZENE
CANCER HAZARD
5.7 Material safety data sheets
5.7.1 Employers shall obtain or develop, and shall provide access to their employees, to a material safety data sheet (MSDS) which addresses benzene.
5.8 Information and training
5.8.1 The employer shall provide employees with information and training at the time of their initial assignment to a work area where benzene is present.
5.8.2 If exposures are above the action level, employees shall be provided with information and training at least annually thereafter.
5.9 Recordkeeping
5.9.1 The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record of all measurements which shall include:
5.9.1.1 The dates, number, duration, and results of each of the samples taken, including a description of the procedure used to determine representative employee exposures;
5.9.1.2 A description of the sampling and analytical methods used;
5.9.1.3 A description of the type of respiratory protective devices worn, if any; and
5.9.1.4 The name, social security number, job classification and exposure levels of the employee monitored and all other employees whose exposure the measurement is intended to represent.
5.9.2 The employer shall maintain this record for at least 30 years.
6.0 Benzene Hazard Information
6.1 Permissible Exposure
6.1.1 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.
6.1.2 Dermal – Eye contact shall be prevented and skin contact with liquid benzene shall be limited.
6.2 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.
6.3 Health Hazard Data: 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.
6.3.1 Effects of overexposure
6.3.1.1 Short-term (acute) overexposure: Overexposures to high concentrations of benzene, well above the levels where its odor is first recognizable, may cause an employee to feel breathless, irritable, euphoric, or giddy; the employee may experience irritation in eyes, nose, and respiratory tract. The employee may develop a headache, feel dizzy, nauseated, or intoxicated. Severe exposures may lead to convulsions and loss of consciousness.
6.3.1.2 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.
6.4 Protective Clothing and Equipment
6.4.1 Respirators – 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 place of engineering controls.
6.4.2 Protective Clothing – such as boots, gloves, sleeves, aprons, etc. must be worn by an employee over any parts of the body that could be exposed to liquid benzene.
6.4.3 Eye and Face Protection – splash-proof safety goggles must be worn if there is a possibility that benzene may get into the employee’s eyes. A face shield must be worn if the employee’s face could be splashed with benzene liquid.
6.5 Emergency and First Aid Procedures
6.5.1 Eye and face exposure. If benzene is splashed in the employee’s eyes, wash it out immediately with large amounts of water. If irritation persists or vision appears to be affected, the employee must see a doctor as soon as possible.
6.5.2 Skin exposure. If benzene is spilled onto the employee’s clothing or skin, the contaminated clothing shall be removed and the exposed skin washed with large amounts of water and soap immediately. The contaminated clothing shall be washed before wearing it again.
6.5.3 Breathing. If any employee 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 lifeline should be used.
6.5.4 Swallowing. If benzene has been swallowed and the employee is conscious, do not induce vomiting. Call for medical assistance or a doctor immediately.
6.6 Medical Requirements
6.6.1 If an employee is exposed to benzene at a concentration at or above 0.5 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average, or have been exposed at or above 10 ppm in the past while employed by your current employer, the employer is required to provide a medical examination and history and laboratory tests within 60 days of the effective date of this standard and annually thereafter.
6.6.2 These tests shall be provided at no cost to the employee.
6.6.3 If an employee is accidentally exposed to benzene (either by ingestion, inhalation, or skin/eye contact) under emergency conditions known or suspected to constitute toxic exposure to benzene, the employer is required to make special laboratory tests available to the exposed employee.
6.7 Observation of Monitoring
6.7.1 The employer is required to perform measurements that are representative of the employee’s exposure to benzene and the employee or designated representative is entitled to observe the monitoring procedure.
6.7.2 The employee is 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, the employee or representative must also be provided with and wear the protective clothing and equipment.
6.8 Access to Records
6.8.1 Employees or representatives are entitled to see their records of measurements of exposure to benzene upon written request to your employer.
6.8.2 The employee’s medical examination records can be furnished to the employee, physician, or designated representative upon request by the employee to the employer.
6.9 Precautions for Safe Use, Handling, and Storage
6.9.1 Benzene liquid is highly flammable.
6.9.2 Benzene should be stored in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area.
6.9.3 Benzene vapor may form explosive mixtures in air.
6.9.3.1 All sources of ignition must be controlled.
6.9.3.2 Use non-sparking tools when opening or closing benzene containers.
6.9.3.3 Fire extinguishers must be readily available in areas where benzene is used or stored.
6.9.3.4 Know where they are located and how to operate them.
6.9.3.5 Smoking is prohibited in areas where benzene is used or stored.
6.9.4 Employees will be made aware of provisions of site-specific contingency/emergency plans.
6.9.5 Employees should ask the supervisor where benzene is used at the job site and for additional plant safety rules.