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Benzene is a carcinogenic chemical compound. It is colourless and flammable with a sweet odour. It was once commonly used as an added component to gasoline but is still widely used as a solvent in the drugs, plastics and rubber industries and is often found in glues, furniture wax, paint and detergents. The substance is highly toxic to humans and can result in a variety of symptoms and, in cases of acute exposure, death. Its use in the workplace is regulated by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, and workers who are poisoned by it are entitled to make benzene compensation claims.
Because of the risks associated with working with benzene, employers are obliged to ensure that, where appropriate, they provide workers with suitable protective clothing, risk assessments and frequent health tests to check for excessive exposure.
According to the approved Code of Practice, the upper-limit of exposure is considered to be an average of 1 ppm (part-per-million) over an 8-hour working day.
Those workers who are most commonly exposed to excessive benzene work in the chemical or petrochemical industries, or the oil refinery process. Other at-risk workers include those working on railways, those in pesticide manufacture, shoe and leather workers, printers and adhesive manufacture workers.
Symptoms of benzene poisoning
Benzene is very easily absorbed by the human body. It can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or swallowed.
The immediate effects of benzene poisoning include tiredness, a headache, nausea and dizziness. In cases of acute exposure, sudden unconsciousness may occur.
Long-term exposure to benzene can result in blood disorders such as anaemia and leukaemia.
Best practice in instances of poisoning
Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 employers are required to inform the Health and Safety Executive in the event a worker is diagnosed with benzene poisoning; in such cases benzene poisoning compensation claims may follow.
Making a compensation claim for benzene poisoning
If you or a loved one has suffered benzene poisoning in the workplace, YouClaim's expert legal advisors can help you determine whether you might be entitled to claim damages for your pain, injury and losses.
YouClaim has many years experience in achieving settlements for the victims of employer negligence.
Our team of first-rate personal injury solicitors work on a basis that surpasses any simple interpretation of "no win, no fee": win or lose, we guarantee that you will be protected from all possible charges associated with your claim.
Call us today to see if you might be eligible to make a benzene compensation claim. Alternatively, you can fill in an online claim form and we will call you back at a time convenient to you, or why not have an echat with one of knowledgeable legal advisors.
