Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 197 - Sample Substance Safety Data Sheet, Benzene
46:7.0.1.5.30.3.75.18.1 : Appendix A
Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 197 - Sample Substance Safety Data
Sheet, Benzene I. Substance Identification
(a) Substance: Benzene.
(b) Performance standard exposure limits:
(1) Airborne: The maximum time-weighted average (TWA) exposure
limit is one part of benzene vapor per million parts of air (one
ppm) for an eight-hour workday and the maximum short-term exposure
limit (STEL) is five ppm for any 15-minute 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 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 and 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 for reducing exposure to the permissible level or
are not chosen as the method of complying with the performance
standard. 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. 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, and aprons)
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 with 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
subject is conscious, do not induce vomiting. Call for medical
assistance or a doctor immediately.
V. Medical Requirements
If you will be exposed to benzene at a concentration at or above
0.5 ppm as an eight-hour time-weighted average or have been exposed
at or above 10 ppm in the past while employed by your current
employer, your employer may be required by 46 CFR 197.560 to
provide a medical examination and history and laboratory tests.
These tests must 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 a toxic exposure to benzene, your
employer is required to make special laboratory tests available to
you.
VI. Observation of Monitoring
The employer is required to conduct monitoring that is
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 wear the protective clothing
and equipment (See 46 CFR 197.575.)
VII. Access to Records
You or your representative may see the records of monitoring of
your exposure to benzene upon written request to your employer.
Your medical examination records may be furnished to you, your
physician, or a representative designated by you. (See 46 CFR
197.570(c).)
VIII. Precautions for Safe Use, Handling, and Storage
Benzene liquid is highly flammable. Benzene vapor may form
explosive mixtures in air. All sources of ignition must be
controlled. Use non-sparking tools when opening or closing benzene
containers. Fire extinguishers, where required, 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.