8 Key Takeaways from Benzene Awareness Training Online

Dealing with hazardous materials safely is important if you're expected to work with them daily. Understanding the risks of benzene and taking the time to understand the dangers associated with it is good practice for anyone involved in its use.

One of the best ways to familiarize yourself with specific chemicals and their attributes is an online course, of which we have tons to choose from. If you're curious to learn more about benzene awareness training online and how online certification would help your career, this is the article for you!

Keep reading for the basics concerning benzene and eight helpful handling and compliance tips to keep you safe.

1. Toxicity and Health Concerns

Benzene is commonly found within industrial spaces as an ingredient or waste product. It's potentially harmful, and improper safety precautions may lead to significant lasting injury. Mitigating the risks for everyone involved means understanding what to look out for, and how to handle the chemical wherever necessary.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Environmental Protection Agency are both in agreement that benzene is carcinogenic. Long-term exposure, even in small amounts, has been shown to cause leukemia and a range of other blood disorders.

The dangers and effects of acute and direct exposure to benzene are much more obvious and apparent. Dizziness, headaches, tremors, and confusion are all hallmarks of accidental benzene exposure, with prolonged exposure potentially leading to unconsciousness.

2. Exposure Limits

Knowledge of chemical exposure limits is important, as it helps to hit home how even low levels of exposure can have an additive negative effect. For example, over an eight-hour workday, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has determined the acceptable exposure limit to be as low as one part per million.

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends half that much. While the exact permissible exposure limits aren't agreed upon, it's clear that benzene is a serious risk and should be dealt with with the utmost caution.

3. Understanding Routes of Exposure

Benzene is colorless in its gaseous form and is volatile enough to give off a constant stream of carcinogenic vapors. The most common way people find themselves exposed is through inhaling the chemical without their knowledge. In small amounts the gas is undetectable, potentially leading people to prolonged accidental exposure throughout the workday.

Skin absorption is another worry, as direct contact will often lead to the chemical permeating directly into soft tissue. Immediate effects include reddening or even blistering of the skin, not to mention the more sinister and long-term impact of anemia and immune system damage further down the line.

4. Safety Precautions

As benzene most often comes into contact in its vapor form, adequate ventilation throughout the workspace is essential. Anything less than active air filtration and conditioning systems will cause the parts per million (ppm) of the chemical to rise above the recommended stated by OSHA and ACGIH.

Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is good practice wherever dangerous or otherwise volatile chemicals are handled. Anything that prevents direct skin contact, such as gloves, goggles, and boots, is considered the bare minimum protection. Respirators and full-body suits are recommended, as it's always better to err on the side of caution.

5. Handling and Storage

Due to its highly flammable and volatile nature, benzene must be stored in tough, sealed containers. Appropriate labeling must also be adhered to, to respect transportation laws and regulations. Clear labeling also prevents benzene from being handled by accident and ensures it's treated with appropriate care.

Storing benzene away from other flammable materials and ignition sources is a basic strategy used for all such dangerous chemicals. Ventilation is also of concern, even if people aren't present, as buildups of volatile gasses may cause an explosion. Hazardous material training is of particular help here.

6. Spill Response

As with all industrial spaces, strategies to combat spills and accidents should already be in place long before they occur. Preparation for the inevitable is one of the foundations for safety in the workplace.

Smaller spills can be dealt with by absorbing the benzine and disposing of it in an appropriate hazardous material bin. Larger scale spills may require evacuation of the building and the help of professionals.

Containment precautions should also be in place to prevent environmental damage. Preventing vitriolic chemicals from entering the ecosystem, for example, ought to be a primary concern.

7. Medical Surveillance

The presence of benzene in the air isn't always apparent. Because of this, it's a good idea to have regular medical checkups on everyone who works around it. This means careful monitoring of normal bodily health markers to catch an issue before it becomes irreversible by increasing chemical exposure awareness.

Regular blood tests are a common way to keep an eye on the health of everyone concerned and prevent existing problems from going unchecked. If unacceptable levels of any chemical are found, or a concerning lack of normal vitals are uncovered, steps will be taken to rectify the problem.

8. Regulatory Compliance

The rules set in place by local, state, and federal regulators exist to ensure better working standards for everyone concerned. When it comes to the use, storage, and disposal of benzene, occupational health training is often the only thing standing between workers and disaster.

While rules may appear stuffy and excessive, in the world of industry where dangerous chemicals are commonplace, adhering to them may well save your life. Taking note of the rules and making sure you understand and comply with them will stand you in good stead going forward.

Get Benzene Awareness Training Online

The beauty of workplace safety education is that much of what you need to learn can be found through online safety courses. Better yet, not only can you learn what you need to, but you can also complete courses where necessary to prove you're accredited.

At Compliance Training Online, we specialize in providing accreditation for thousands of people every year. If you need compliance training for your next job or want to add another feather to your cap, look no further!

If you have any questions concerning benzene awareness training online, don't hesitate to reach out!