Benzene (manufacture, handling and use of benzene and substances containing benzene)

Rule 114(1) item 20 · Schedule XX

Medical surveillance (statutory)

Sch XX para 13: every worker undergoes (i) a thorough pre-employment exam including a blood test by the Medical Inspector / Certifying Surgeon, and (ii) periodical exam including blood test and other biological tests at intervals of every 6 months by the Factory Medical Officer with laboratory assistance. Record in Health Register Form 7; CS may grant a certificate in Form 23.

Hazard & health effects

Agent: Benzene (and benzene-containing substances, typically >1% by volume)

Health effects: Bone-marrow toxicity, aplastic anaemia, pancytopenia; acute myeloid leukaemia (confirmed human carcinogen).

Controls & PPE

Engineering controls: Closed systems and substitution; LEV; air monitoring; periodic blood counts and biological monitoring (urinary metabolites); leak control.

PPE: Respiratory protection; chemical-resistant gloves (benzene absorbs through skin); eye protection.

Statutory vs annotation: only the operation name, schedule number and medical-examination clause are statutory. The hazard, health-effects, controls and PPE notes are occupational-hygiene context.

Reference information for occupational-health professionals — not medical advice, and not a substitute for examination by a qualified physician.

Other dangerous operations

All 25 dangerous operations — s.87 / Rule 114

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