Schedule B XXI

Manufacture,handling and usage of benzeneand substances containing

benzene

1. Application.—This schedule is made to provide protection against hazards of

poisoning from benzene and shall apply in respect of 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 per cent 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 vapours to the workers atmosphere ; and

d. "efficient exhaust draught" means localised ventilated effected by

mechanical means for the removal of gases, vapours and 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, vapours,

fumes or dusts originate.

3. Prohibition and substitution.—

1. Benzene and substances containing benzene shall not be used as solvent or

dilutent unless the process in which it is used is carried on in an enclosed

system or unless the process is carried on in manner which is considered

equally safe as if it were carried out in an enclosed manner Use of benzene

and substances containing benzene is prohibited in the following processes—

a.

manufacture of varnishes, paints and thinners; and

b. Cleaning and degreasing operations.

I1.

Wheresuitable 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-A.

ПII.

The Chief Inspector may, subject to confirmation by the State Government,

permit exemptions from the percentage laid down in sub-paragraph 2(a) and

also from the provisions of sub-paragraph (II) of this paragraph temporarily

under conditions and within limits of time to be determined after consultation

with the employers and workers concerned.

4. Protection against installation.-

I. The process involving the use of benzene or substances containing benzene

shall be as far as practicable be carried out in an enclosed system.

Il.

Where, however, it is not practicable to carry out the process in an enclosed

system, the workroom in which benzene or substances containing benzene

are used shall be equipped with an efficient exhaust draught or other means

for the removal of benzene vapours to prevent their escape into the air of the

workroom so that the concentration of benzene in the air does not exceed 10

parts per million by volume or 30 milligrams per cubic meter.

IIl.

Air analysis for the measurement of concentration of benzene vapours in air

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

the Chief Inspector 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 vapours

in air as measured by air analysis, exceeds 10 parts per million by volume or

30 milligrams per cubicmeter, the Manager shall forthwith report the

concentration to the Chief Inspector stating the reasons for such increase.

IV.

Workers who for special reasons are likely to be exposed to concentration of

benzene in the air ofthe workroom exceeding the maximum referred to in

sub-paragraph (II) 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.—

I. 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 vapours.

II.

The protective wear referred to in sub-paragraph (I) shall be maintained in

good condition and inspected regularly.

6. Prohibition relating to employment of women and young persons.No

woman or young person shall be employed or permitted to work in any workroom

involving exposure to benzene or substances containing benzene.

7. Labelling.-Every container holding benzene or substances 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 toxicity and

warning about infallibility of the chemical.

8. Improper use of benzene.-

I. The use of benzene substances containing benzene by workers for cleaning

their hands or their work clothing shall be prohibited.

II. Workers shall be instructed on the possible dangers arising from such misuse.

9. Prohibition of consuming food, etc. in workrooms.— 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.

10. Instructions 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.

11. Cautionary notices.Cautionary notices in the form specified in Appendix-B

and printed in the language easily read and understood by the majority of the

workers shall be displayed in prominent places in the workrooms where

benzene or substances containingbenzene are manufactured, handled or

12. Washing facilities, cloakroom and mess room.—In factories in which

benzene or substances containing benzene aremanufactured, handled or

used, the occupier shall provide and maintain in a 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 ;

b. cloakroom with lockers for each worker, having two compartments -

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

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.

13. Medical facilities and records of examinations and tests-

I. The occupier of every factory to which this schedule applies, shall-

a.

employ a qualified medical practitioner for medical surveillance of the

workers employed therein whose employment shall be subject to the

approval of the Chief Inspector of Factories; and

Provide to the medical practitioner all the necessary facilities for the

purpose referred to in clause (a).

The record of such examinations carried out by the medical practitioner shall

bemaintainedinaseparates registerapproved bythe Chietinspector of

Factories, which shall be kept readily available for inspection by the Inspector.

14. Medical examination by Medical Officer-

I. Every worker employed in the processes specified in paragraph 1 shall

be examined by a Medical Officer within 15 days of his first

employment. Such examinations shall include skin test for dermatitis

and no worker shall be allowed to work after 15 days of his first

employment in the factory unless certified fit for such employment by

the Medical Officer.

II.

Every worker employed in a manganese process shall be re-examined

by a Medical Officer at least once in every 12 months and such

examination shall, wherever the Medical Officer considers appropriate,

include all the tests in subparagraph (1).

III. The Medical Officer after examining a worker, shall issue a Certificate

of Fitness in

Form XXIII. The record of examination and

re-

examinations carried out shall be entered in the Certificate and the

Certificate shall be kept in the custody of the manger of the factory.

The record of each examination carried out under sub-paragraph (I)

and (II), including the nature and the results of this test, shall also be

entered by the Medical Officer in a health register in Form XXIV.

IV.

The Certificate of Fitness and the health register shall be kept readily

available for inspection by the Inspector.

If at any time the Medical Officer is of the opinion that a worker is no

longer fit for employment in the said processes on the ground that

continuance therein would involve special danger to the health of the

worker, he shall make a record of his findings in the said certificate and

the health register. The entry of his findings in those documents should

also include the period for which he considers that the said person is

unfit to work in the said process shall be provided with alternate

placement facilities unless he is fully incapacitated in the opinion of the

Medical Officer,in which case the person affected shall be suitably

rehabilitated.

VI.

No person who has been found unfit to work as said in sub- paragraph

(5) shall be re-employed or permitted to work in the said processes

unless the Medical Officer, after further examination, again certifies him

fit for employment in those processes.

APPENDIX-A

1.

2.

3.

Production of benzene

Process where benzene is used for chemical synthesis

Motor spirits (used as fuel):

APPENDIX-B

[ See Paragraph 11 of this Schedule] CAUTIONARY NOTICE

Benzene and substances containing benzene

1. Hazards :

a. Benzene and substances containing benzene are harmful ;

b. Prolonged or repeated breathing of benzene vapours may result in

acute or chronic poisoning :

c. Benzene can also be absorbed through skin which may cause skin or

other diseases.

2. Preventive measures :

a. Avoid breathing of benzene vapours;

b. Avoid prolonged or repeated contact of benzene with the skin ;

c. Remove benzene soaked or wet clothing promptly ;

d. If any time you are exposed to high concentration of benzene vapours

and exhibit signs and symptoms such as dizziness, difficulty in

breathing,

excessive excitation and losing of consciousness,

immediately inform your factory manager;

e. Keep ail the containers of benzene closed ;

f. Handle, use and process benzene and substances containing benzene

carefully in order to prevent their spillage on floor;

g. Maintain good housekeeping.

3. Protective equipment :

a. Use respiratory protective equipment in places where benzene vapours

are present in high concentration ;

b. In emergency, use self generating oxygen mask or oxygen or air

cylinder masks ;

c. Wear hand gloves, aprons, goggles and gum boots to avoid contact of

benzene with your skin and body parts;

4. First-aid measures in case of acute benzene poisoning :

a. Remove the clothing immediately if it is wetted with benzene.

b. If liquid benzene enters eyes, flush thoroughly for at least 15 minutes

with clean running water and immediately secure medical attention ;

c. "In case of unusual exposure to benzene vapour, call a physician

immediately. Until he arrives, do the following :-

i. If the exposed person is conscious

• Move him to fresh air in open.

• Lay down without a pillow and keep him quiet and warm.

il. If the exposed person is unconscious-

• Lay him down preferably on the left side with the

headlow.

•Remove any false teeth, chewing gum, tobacco or other

foreign objects which may be in his mouth.

• Provide him artificial respiration in case difficulty is being

experienced in breathing.

In case of shallow breathing or cyanosis (blueness of skin, lips, ears, finger nail

beds), he should be provided with medical

oxygen

carbondioxide mixture. If needed, he should be given artificial respiration.

Oxygen should be administered by a trained person only.