Schedule XVI

MANUFACTURE, HANDLING AND USAGE OF BENZENE AND SUBSTANCES CONTAINING

BENZENE:

1. 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

working atmosphere ; and

(d) 'efficient exhaust draught' means localised ventilation affected 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) Use of benzene and substances containing benzene is

prohibited in the following Processes —

(a) manufacture of varnish, paints and thinners ;

(b) cleaning and degreasing operations.

(2) Benzene or substances containing benzene shall not be used as a solvent or diluent unless the

processes in which it is used is carried or in an enclosed system or unless the processes is carried on in a

manner which is considered equally safe as it were carried out in an enclosed system.

(3) Where suitable substitutes are available, they shall be used instead of benzene or substances

containing benzene. This provision, however, shall not apply to the following process :

(a) Production of benzene ;

(b) Process where benzene is used for chemical synthesis ; and

(c) Motor spirits (use and fuel).

(4) The Chief Inspector cum facilitator may, subject to confirmation by the State Government,

permit exemptions from the percentage laid down in Paragraph 2(a) and also from the provisions of sub-

paragraph (2) 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 inhalation.—(1) The process involving the use of benzene or substances

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

(2) 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 or

the workroom so that the concentration of benzene in the air does not exceed 25 parts per million by

volume or 80 milligrams per cubic metre.

(3) Air analysis for the measurements 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-cum-Facilitator at places

where process involving use of benzene is carried on and the results 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 25 parts per million by volume or 80 milligrams per cubic metre, the Manager shall

forthwith report the concentration of the Chief Inspector –cum-Facilitator stating reasons for such increase.

(4) Workers who for special reasons are likely to be exposed to concentration of benzene in the air

or the workroom exceeding the maximum referred in sub-paragraph (2) shall be provided with suitable

respirators face masks. The duration of such exposure shall be limited as far as possible.

5. Measures against skin contact.—(1) workers who are likely to come in contact with liquid

benzene or liquid substance 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.

(2) The protective wear referred to in sub-paragraph (1) shall be maintained in good condition and

inspected regularly.

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

young person shall be employed or permitted to work in any workroom involving exposure to benzene or

substances containing benzene.

Provided that women workers may be employed with their consent to work subject to the

following conditions :-

(1) International Safety standards shall be adopted by the occupier for providing Occupational

Safety and Health (OSH).

(2) The occupier shall, as far as possible, modernise the above processes/places from time to time

and will use modern equipments.

(3) Women workers who are feeding mothers shall be exempted from the Employment.

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 inflammability of the chemical.

8. Improper use of benzene.—(1) The use of benzene or substances containing benzene by workers

for cleaning their hands or their work clothing shall be prohibited.

(2) workers shall be instructed on the possible dangers arising from such misuse.

9. Prohibition of consuming food, etc., in workroom.—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 into such

workrooms.

10. 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 measure to be taken to deal with an emergency.

11. Cautionary notices.—Cautionary notices in the form specified in Appendix 'A' 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 or substances containing benzene are manufactured, handled or

used.

12. 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 :

(1) 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 ;

(2) A cloak room with lockers for each workers, having two compartments one for street clothing

and one for work-clothing ; and

(3) 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

the mess room shall be dispensed with.

13. Medical Examination.—(1) Every worker who is to be employed in process involving use of

benzene or substances containing benzene, shall undergo—

(a) a thorough pre-employment medical examination including a blood test for fitness for

employment by a Factory medical officer; and

(b) periodical medical examination including blood test and other biological tests at

intervals of every 6 months by the Factory medical officer with the assistance of a

laboratory.

(2) Certificates of pre-employment medical examination and periodical medical examination

including tests after every six month, shall be entered in a health register in Form-7, which shall be

produced on demand by an Inspector cum Facilitator.

(3) If the Factory Medical Officer on examination at any time is of the opinion that any worker

has developed signs or symptoms of benzene exposure, he shall make a record of his findings in the said

register and inform the manager in writing and on receipt of the information from the Factory medical

officer, the manager of the factory shall send the worker so found exposed, to the Factory medical officer

who shall, after satisfying himself with the finding of the factory medical officer and conducting necessary

examination, issue orders of temporary shifting of the worker or suspension of the worker in the process .

(4) The medical examination shall be arranged by the occupier or manager of the factory and the

worker so examined shall not bear any expenses for it.