The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Lakshadweep) Rules, 2025
Appendix 8 [SEE CLAUSE 11]
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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) lf 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 all 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 -
(a) Move him to fresh air in open.
(b) Lay down without a pillow and keep him quiet and warm.
(ii) lf the exposed person is unconscious -
(a) Lay him down preferably on the left side with the head low.
(b) 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.
(c) ln case of shallow breathing or cyanosis (blueness of skin, lips, ears, finger nail beds), he
should be provided with medical oxygen or oxygen carbon dioxide mixture. If needed, he
should be given artificla\ respiration. Oxygen should be administered by a trained person only.