I work on a Gulf of Mexico offshore oil platform and am worried about my exposure to benzene . What can I do to be sure I am safe?

A: This is an excellent question. We have several suggestions for you:

• First, be sure you talk to your employer. You need to know that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines are being followed. OSHA specifies that benzene limits in the air be limited to 1 ppm per eight-hour workday and no more than 5 ppm over any fifteen-minute time period.
• Also be sure you are being provided the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for the amount of benzene exposure in your oil industry job.
• Find out who is in charge of safety checks on your jobsite and make sure it is done regularly.
• If you are exposed to a high level of benzene in a short amount of time, get away from the source as quickly as possible, remove any contaminated clothing, wash with soap and water and see a doctor.
• If you are exposed to benzene over a long period of time, you should have a medical professional run tests to determine levels in your body.