Workers who handle benzene or benzene-containing products need benzene safety training. That includes petroleum refinery and petrochemical workers, chemical manufacturing staff, fuel terminal and tank cleaning crews, and laboratory employees. The 15-minute English video explains measuring exposure in parts per million, exposure limits and ways to reduce exposure.

OSHA regulates benzene in general industry under 29 CFR 1910.1028. The benzene standard sets a permissible exposure limit of 1 ppm as an 8-hour average and a 5 ppm short-term limit over 15 minutes. It also requires exposure monitoring, medical surveillance and training tied to a 0.5 ppm action level.

Benzene is a known human carcinogen linked to leukemia. Long-term exposure damages bone marrow and can cause anemia and other blood disorders. Short-term exposure to high concentrations causes dizziness, headache, drowsiness and confusion. Benzene enters the body mainly through inhalation, with some absorption through the skin.

Benzene training is required when a worker first starts in an area where benzene is present. Under 29 CFR 1910.1028, employees exposed above the action level must then receive training at least annually. Training covers benzene hazards, the medical surveillance program and the controls and PPE used on site.

Workers reduce benzene exposure first through engineering controls such as closed systems, local exhaust ventilation and vapor recovery. Good work practices include keeping containers closed and avoiding skin contact. When controls cannot keep levels below limits, workers need properly selected respirators and chemical-resistant gloves and clothing.