Schedule XXV

MANUFACTURE, HANDLING AND USE OF BENZENE

1. Application

The provisions of this Schedule shall apply to all factories or parts thereof

in which Benzene or substances containing Benzene are manufactured,

handled or used.

2. Definitions

For the purpose of this Schedule,

(a) 'Substances containing benzene'means substances wherein benzene

content exceeds 1 percent by volume;

(b) ’Substitute'means a chemical which is harmless or less harmful than

benzene and can be used in place of benzene;

(c) 'Enclosed system' means a system which will not allow escape of benzene

vapors to the working atmosphere;

(d) 'Efficient exhaust draught ' means localized ventilation effected by

mechanical means for the removal of gases, vapors, dusts or fumes so as

to prevent them from escaping into the air of any workroom. No draught

shall be deemed to be efficient if it fails to remove smoke generated at the

point where such gases, vapors, fumes or dusts originate.

3. Prohibition and substitution

(a) Use of benzene and substances containing benzene is prohibited in the

following processes:

(i) Manufacture of varnishes,paints and thinners;and

(ii) Cleaning and degreasing operations.

(iii) Benzene or substances containing Benzene shall not be used as a

solvent or diluent unless the process in which it is used is carried on in

an enclosed system or unless the process is carried on in a manner

which is considered equally safe as if it were carried out in an enclosed

system

(b) Where suitable substitutes are available, they shall be used instead of

Benzene or substances containing Benzene. This provision, however,shall

not apply to the processes specified in Appendix

(c) The Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator may, subject to confirmation by the

State Government, permit exemptions from the percentage laid down in

clause 2 (a) and also from the provisions of sub-clause (b) temporarily

under conditions and within limits of time to be determined after

consultation with the employers and workers concerned.

4. Protection against inhalation

(a) The process involving the use of Benzene or substances containing

Benzene shall as far as practicable, be carried out in an enclosed

system;

(b) Where, however, it is not practicable to carry out the process in an

enclosed system, to workroomin which Benzene or substances

containing Benzene are used, shall be equipped with an efficient exhaust

draught or other means for the removal of Benzene vapors to prevent

their escape into the air of the workroom so that the concentration of

Benzenein the air does not exceed 25 parts per million by volume or 80

mg/m3;

(c) Air analysis for the measurement of concentration of Benzen evapors in

air shall be carried out every 8 hours or at such intervals as may be

directed by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator at places where process

involving use of Benzene is carried on and the result of such analysis

shall be recorded in a register specially maintained for this purpose. If

the concentration of Benzene vapors in air as measured by air analysis,

exceeds 25 parts per million by volume or 80 mg/m3 the Occupier shall

forthwith report the concentration to the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator

stating the reasons for such increase;

(d) Workers who for special reasons are likely to be exposed to

concentration of Benzene in the air of the workroom exceeding the

maximum referred to in clause(b) shall be provided with suitable

respirators or face masks. The duration of such exposure shall be limited

as far as possible.

5. Measures against skin contact

(a) Workers who are likely to come in contact with liquid Benzene or liquid

substances containing Benzene shall be provided with suitable gloves,

aprons, boots and where necessary, vapour-tight chemical goggles made

of material not affected by Benzene or its vapors.

(b) The protective wear referred to in sub-clause (a) shall be maintained in

good condition and inspected regularly.

6. Labelling

Every container holding Benzene or sub-stances containing Benzene shall

have the word Benzene" and approved danger symbols clearly visible on it

and shall also display information on Benzene content, warning about leaky

and warning about inflammability of the chemical.

7. Improper use of Benzene

(a) The use of Benzene or substances containing Benzene by workers for

cleaning their hands or their work clothing shall be prohibited;

(b) Workers shall be instructed on the possible dangers arising from such

misuse.

8. Prohibition of consuming food,etc.,in work rooms

No worker shall be allowed to store or consume food or drink in the

workroom in which Benzene or substances containing Benzene are

manufactured, handled, or used. Smoking and chewing tobacco or pan

shall be prohibited in such workrooms.

9. Instruction as regards risks

Every worker on his first employment shall be fully instructed on the

properties of Benzene or substances containing Benzene which he has to

handle and of the dangers involved.Workers shall also be instructed on the

measures to be taken to deal with in an emergency.

10. Cautionary notices

Cautionary notices in the form specified in Appendix B and presented in

the language easily read and understood by the majority of the workers

shall be displayed in prominent places in the workrooms where Benzene

orsubstances containing Benzene are manufactured, handled or used.

11. Washing facilities, cloak-room and mess-room

In factories in which Benzene or substances containing Benzene are

manufactured, handled or used, the Occupier shall provide and maintain in

clean state and in good repair

(a) Washing facilities under cover of the standard of at least one tap for

every 10 persons having constant supply of water with soap and a

clean towel provided individually to each worker if so ordered by the

Inspector-cum- Facilitator ;

(b) A cloak-room with lockers for each worker,having two compartments -

one for street-clothing and one for work-clothing;

(c) A mess-room furnished with tables and benches with means for

warming food, provided that where a canteen or other proper

arrangements exist for the workers to take their meals, the

requirements of mess-room shall be dispensed with.

12. Medical facilities and records of examinations and tests

(1) The occupier of every factory to which the schedule applies,shall

a. employ a Health Surveillance Officer for medical surveillance of the

workers employed therein.

b. provide to the said Health Surveillance Officer all the necessary

facilities for the purpose referred to in clause (a).

(2) Workers employed in this scheduled process / operation shall be medically

examined by the Health Surveillance Officer-

i. Once before employment, to ascertain the physical fitness of the person

to do the particular job:

ii. Once in a period of six months, to ascertain the health status of all the

workers in respect of occupational health hazards to which they are

exposed; and in cases where in the opinion of the Health Surveillance

officer it is necessary to do so at a shorter interval in respect of any

workers.

(3) The pre-employment medical examination shall include tests for detection

of Phenol in urine and determination of urinary sulphide ratio and C.N.S.

and Hematological tests

(4) The periodical re-examination shall, wherever the Health Surveillance

Officer considers appropriate, include all the tests of pre employment.

(5) The record of the examinations referred to in sub-paragraph (2) shall be

maintained in Health Register in Form: HR which shall be kept readily

available for inspection by the Inspector-cum-Facilitator.

(6) No person shall be employed for the first time without a Certificate of

Fitness in Form: XVII granted by the Health Surveillance officer. If the

Health Surveillance officer declares a person unfit for being employed in

any process covered under sub-rule (1), such a person shall have theright

to appeal to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator who shall refer the matterto the

Medical Officer whose opinion shall be final in this regard. If the Inspector-

cum-Facilitator is also a Medical Officer, he may dispose of the application

himself.

(7) Any findings of the Health Surveillance officer revealing any abnormality or

unsuitability of any person employed in the process shall immediately be

reported to the Medical Officer who shall in turn, examine the concerned

worker and communicate his findings to the occupier within thirty days. If

the Medical Officer is of the opinion that the workers examined is required

to be taken away from the process for health protection, he will direct the

occupier accordingly, who shall not employthe said worker in the same

process. However, the worker so taken away shall be provided with

alternate placement unless he is in the opinion of the Medical Officer, fully

incapacitated in which case the worker affected shall he suitably

rehabilitated.

(8) A Medical Officer on his own motion or on a reference from an Inspector-

cum-Facilitator may conduct medical examination of a worker to ascertain

the suitability of his employment in the scheduled Process/operation or for

ascertaining his health status.The opinion ofthe Medical Officerin such a

case shall be final. The fee required for this medical examination shall be

paid by the occupier.

(9) The worker taken away from employment in any process under sub-rule

(2) may be employed again in the same process only after obtaining the Fitness

Certificate from the Medical Officer and after making entries tothat effect in the

Health Register.