Benzene

Benzene is a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature. It has a sweet odor and is highly flammable. Benzene is widely used in the United States; it ranks in the top 20 chemicals for production volume. It is primarily used as a starting material in making other chemicals. Benzene is also a natural part of crude oil and gasoline.

Short-term exposure to high levels of benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, unconsciousness, and even death. Long-term exposure may affect bone marrow and blood production. Benzene is known to cause cancer in humans.

About Benzene Awareness Training

This Benzene Awareness for General Industry and Construction course provides a general awareness of the risks related to Benzene exposure and OSHA’s regulatory requirements for protecting employees who work with benzene.

Employers are required to provide employees with information and training at the time of their initial assignment to a work area where benzene is present.

If Benzene concentrations are above the action level, employees must be provided with information and training at least annually thereafter.

This training also addresses OSHA regulations and training requirements as they relate to benzene.

• • 29 CFR 1910.1028 Benzene
  • 29 CFR 1910.134 Respiratory Protection
  • 29 CFR 1910.134 Appendix B-1 and B-2 User Seal Check Procedures and Respiratory Cleaning Procedures