IMO has revised the minimum standards for carriage of benzene.

In 1992, the Maritime Safety Commission recognised the risk of long term exposure of low concentrations of benzene in air which can cause leukemia. In 1996 it approved minimum safety standards for ships carrying mixtures in which benzene content was 0.5% or more. Due to continuing concerns IMO has further revised the minimum safety standards.

The new standards for ships carrying liquids in bulk containing benzene include particular guidance on information to be given to the crew, occupational exposure limits, air quality monitoring, personal protection equipment, entry into enclosed spaces, training, precautions during cargo operations, venting, medical monitoring etc. Details are found in IMO MSC cicrular no. 1095 or at the following web address www.imo.org/includes/blastDataOnly.asp/data_id%3D7511/1095.pdf

Source : London Club newsletter.

We have experienced several crew claims arising from the crew developing leukemia. The crew were mainly working on chemical tankers who may have been exposed to benzene, however there have been claims of crew working on dry cargo vessels. It is a little surprising that despite the IMO's awareness of this problem, many P&I Clubs tend to take the view this illness is self induced or inherent and hence a claim which can be declined by the owners. Many of these claims are however settled amicably, although the level of difference of opinion is not justified.

Owners of chemical tankers should be aware of the new IMO guidelines, as anything short of compliance will then certainly provide a clear case for the crew to claim that leukemia was work related.