NSW Government logo NSW Government SafeWork NSW logo SafeWork NSW
  • About
  • News
  • Contact
  • Roadmap
  • Safety
    starts here
  • Your
    industry
  • Advice &
    resources
  • Legal
    obligations
  • Notify
    SafeWork
  • Compliance &
    prosecutions
  • Licences &
    registrations
  • Home
  • Hazards A-Z
  • Hazardous chemicals
  • Benzene technical fact sheet
Share
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • email
Print PDF

Benzene technical fact sheet

Benzene is a clear, colourless, flammable liquid with a sweet odour. Adequate controls for the proper use, handling and storage of benzene reduces the risk of hazardous exposures and illness in the workplace.

The NSW Work Health and Safety Roadmap aims to achieve a 50% reduction in serious injuries and illnesses by 2022, including a 30% reduction in exposures to priority hazardous chemicals and materials. An initial list of 100 priority chemicals was developed based on national and international sources. This list was further refined using the following criteria: toxicity rating, exposure potential, estimated quantities used and potential number of workers using these chemicals. Benzene ranked fourth based on these criteria.

Print this page in pdf.

Sources of Exposure

Benzene is mainly used by the chemical industry in Australia.  It can be found in process streams at petroleum refineries, petroleum based fuels, bitumen and manufacturing processes for polystyrenes, polycarbonates, epoxy, phenolic resins and nylon. Workers may also be exposed to benzene during burning processes or from vehicle exhaust and cigarette smoke.

Exposure to benzene typically occurs by inhaling the airborne vapours.  Benzene evaporates into the air very quickly and is readily absorbed into the body through the lungs. It can also be absorbed through the skin. Ingestion of benzene-contaminant is unlikely at work. If benzene enters the body it may be temporarily stored in bone marrow and fat but will quickly be metabolised (broken down) by the liver. Some of these metabolites also cause harmful effects but most leave the body in the urine within 48 hours.

Exposure to ethanol and benzene together can increase the toxicity to the blood system. Whereas, exposure to toluene and benzene can reduce the body’s ability to remove benzene because both chemicals are broken down in the body in a similar way.

Health effects

Acute exposure to high concentrations of benzene vapour can result in central nervous system depression (eg impaired thinking, blurred vision), arrhythmias as well as irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory system. In most cases, people will stop feeling these effects when they are no longer exposed. However, like other hydrocarbons, benzene can cause chemical pneumonia if its liquid form is aspirated in to the lungs. Inhalation of very large amounts of benzene can also result in death.

Prolonged or repeated contact with the skin causes redness, drying and cracking because benzene dissolves and removes the protective natural oils from the skin. Benzene is haematotoxic (toxic to blood) and leukaemogenic (may induce leukemia). It is also genotoxic (causes mutation to cells), usually when there is exposure to concentrations that are high enough to also cause blood changes.

Labelling and safety data sheets

Manufacturers and importers of benzene need to ensure that hazardous chemicals are labelled, safety data sheets (SDS) are prepared and provided (cl.330 and 335 Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017). Suppliers of a hazardous chemical to a workplace must provide current SDS (cl.339).

Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) must correctly label hazardous chemicals used, handled or stored at the workplace, including containers and pipework (cl. 341,342,343). The PCBU must also obtain a copy of the SDS and make it readily accessible to workers involved in using, handling or storing the hazardous chemical at the workplace (cl. 344).

Health monitoring

PCBUs are required to provide health monitoring to workers if there is a significant risk to the worker’s health because of exposure to benzene (cl. 368). Benzene is listed in schedule 14 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 which outlines the health monitoring requirements.

In relation to health monitoring, PCBU (cl. 369 to 378) duties include:

  • informing workers of the requirements for health monitoring
  • using a registered medical practitioner with experience in health monitoring
  • providing details to the medical practitioner
  • obtaining a copy of the health monitoring report
  • providing a copy of the health monitoring report to SafeWork NSW if the worker has developed a disease or injury and/or the report contains any recommendations on remedial measures at the workplace
  • keeping records of health monitoring for 30 years.

Workers exposed to benzene at levels or a frequency not resulting in a significant risk to health, are not required to undergo health monitoring. Workers relying on personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators for controlling their exposures below the exposure standard must be included in health monitoring.

Control measures

Where risks to health and safety cannot be eliminated the hierarchy of controls must be applied in accordance with cl. 36 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 to minimise risks. For instance:

  • Eliminate the use of benzene if reasonably practicable.
  • Employ engineering controls to reduce fugitive emissions during transfers between closed systems.
  • Eliminate the need to break open closed systems.
  • Where benzene is not used in a closed system (such as laboratories) or is present as a contaminant of workplace air (such as car repair shops), good local exhaust ventilation should be ensured.
  • Avoid skin contact by wearing chemical-resistant gloves and other PPE.
  • Instruct and train workers in the correct fitting, use and maintenance of PPE.
  • Follow instructions and controls outlined in SDS and product labels.

PCBUs must provide suitable information, training, instruction and supervision to workers using, storing and handling hazardous chemicals regarding the nature of the work, risks and the controls implemented (cl. 39 and 379).

PCBUs with duties under the Work HEalth and Safety Regulation 2017 must review and revise control measures, as necessary, to maintain a work environment so far as is reasonably practicable, that is without risk to health or safety (cl. 38).

More information

More information is contained in:

  • the benzene containing product's SDS
  • NSW codes of practice:
    • Managing the Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
    • Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals
    • Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals
  • SafeWork Australia guidance material:
    • Workplace Exposure Standards for Airborne Contaminants
    • Guidance on the Interpretation of Workplace Exposure Standards for airborne contaminants
    • Hazardous Chemicals Requiring Health Monitoring
    • Health Monitoring for Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals - Guide for persons conducting a business or undertaking
    • Health Monitoring for Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals - Guide for workers
  • Australian standards:
    • AS/NZS 1715;2009 Selection, Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protection
    • AS/NZS 2234.8:2014 Safety in Laboratories Part 8 Fume Cupboards

    In the event of suspected exposure, call the Poisons Information Centre on 131 126.

Back to top
  • Safety starts here
    • Safety overview
      • First aid in the workplace
      • Emergency plans
      • If you get injured at work poster
      • Mandatory injury register
      • When an incident occurs
      • Health and safety training in the workplace
      • Workers compensation insurance
      • Return to work program
    • Safety support
      • Your rights and responsibilities for health and safety
      • Training & orienting workers
      • Getting workers to contribute to health and safety
      • Managing risk in the workplace
      • Workplace inspections
      • Investigating and reporting incidents
      • Supervisors
    • Building a health & safety culture
      • Building a high performing health &safety culture
      • Active health & safety management
      • Planning for health & safety
      • Leadership & commitment
    • Consultation@work
      • Your duty to consult
      • Consultation case studies and videos
      • Workgroups
      • Safety committees
      • Health and safety representatives
      • Safety complaints
      • Resolving issues
      • Consultation tools to help
      • Entry permits
    • Physical safety at work (the basics)
      • Emergency plans
      • Facilities at work
      • Instruction and training
      • Personal protective equipment (PPE)
      • Pregnancy
      • Sedentary work
      • Violence
      • Bushfire smoke
    • Mental health & safety (the basics)
      • Alcohol and other drugs
      • At risk workers
      • Mental health @ work
      • Workplace stress
      • Workplace bullying
    • SeasonalSAFE
  • Your industry
    • Accommodation and food services
      • Hospitality
    • Administrative and support services
    • Agriculture, forestry and fishing
      • Plant nurseries
      • Farming
    • Arts and recreation services
    • Building and construction
      • House construction
      • Construction work
      • Demolition
    • Education and training
    • Financial and insurance services
    • Health care and social assistance
    • Information media and telecommunications
    • Manufacturing
      • Leading safer manufacturing workplaces
    • Personal care and other services
    • Public administration and safety
    • Rental, hiring and real estate services
    • Retail trade
    • Transport, postal and warehousing
    • Wholesale trade
  • Advice & resources
    • Campaigns
      • SafeWork NSW Awards
      • Dust strategy
      • International Day of Mourning
      • Asbestos awareness
      • Mentoring program
      • Safe Work Month
    • Free advisory visits and workshops
    • Rebate programs
      • Small business rebate
    • Video library
    • Incident animations
    • Online safety webinars
    • SafeWork Wrap newsletter
    • Translated resources
      • Arabic health and safety resources
      • Chinese health and safety resources
      • Filipino health and safety resources
      • French health and safety resources
      • German health and safety resources
      • Hindi health and safety resources
      • Korean health and safety resources
      • Malay health and safety resources
      • Nepali health and safety resources
      • Thai health and safety resources
      • Vietnamese health and safety resources
  • Legal obligations
    • Employer and business obligations
      • Directors and officers
      • Due diligence
      • Primary duty of care
      • Duty to consult
      • Register of injuries
      • Injuries at work
      • Return to work programs
      • Managing hazards and risks
    • Worker obligations
    • Medical practitioner's obligation to notify of a disease
      • Notification of silicosis diagnosis
      • Notification of an asbestosis diagnosis
    • Diversity
    • Visitor obligations
    • Contractors and labour hire
    • Volunteering
    • Strata title and body corporate
    • Legislation
  • Notify SafeWork
    • Incident notification
    • Asbestos notifications
    • Blasting notifications
    • Carcinogenic substances notification
    • Demolition notifications
    • Fireworks displays notifications
    • Hazardous chemicals notifications
    • Lead notifications
  • Compliance & prosecutions
    • Incident information releases
    • Improvement, prohibition and penalty notices
    • SafeWork inspectors
    • Enforceable undertakings
    • Prosecutions
    • Deed of agreement
    • Contact our Legal Services
    • Joint Taskforce: Food Delivery Rider Safety
  • Licences & registrations
    • Licences
      • Evidence of identity
      • Regularly check licences
      • Asbestos work licences
      • Demolition licences
      • Explosives and fireworks licences
      • High risk work licences
      • Traffic Control Work Training
    • Plant registrations
      • Plant item registration
      • Plant design registration
      • Cancelling plant registration
      • Changes to registration documents
    • Registered training organisations (RTOs)
      • How to become an approved RTO to deliver asbestos training
      • General construction induction RTOs
      • High risk work RTOs
      • HSR training providers
      • Traffic controller training
    • White cards
  • Resources
    • Hazards A-Z
    • Resource library
    • Risk radar
    • Speak Up Save Lives
Community
  • Events
  • Accessibility
  • Stakeholder Engagement Strategy
  • Order a Publication
  • Subscribe to the SafeWork Wrap
Legal
  • Privacy
  • Right to Information
  • Terms
  • Disclaimer
  • Copyright
Related sites
  • SIRA (workers compensation)
  • SafeWork Awards
  • TestSafe
  • Get healthy at work
  • Centre for WHS
  • icare

Contact

Contact us 13 10 50

Follow us

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • youtbue
  • linkedin
Send us your feedback

Follow us

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • youtbue
  • linkedin
  • Sitemap
  • nsw.gov.au
  • Ministerial media releases

A division of the Department of Customer Service

NSW SafeWorks logo NSW SafeWorks NSW SafeWorks logo NSW SafeWorks