An exposure limit is the maximum allowed airborne concentration of a substance that must not be exceeded and is intended to protect nearly all workers over a working lifetime. Regulatory exposure limits exist to ensure the risk of an adverse health effect on workers, due to occupational exposure to specific chemical substances, is minimized.

WorkSafeBC is requesting stakeholder feedback on the proposed amendments to the B.C. exposure limit (EL) for benzene. It is proposed to: (1) adopt an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 0.2 ppm as a B.C. EL; and (2) withdraw the existing 15-minute short-term exposure limit (STEL). This harmonizes with the European Union’s (EU’s) binding occupational exposure limit value (OELV).

Before adopting new or revised B.C. ELs, WorkSafeBC reviews relevant data on health effects and the availability of validated sampling methods. WorkSafeBC also consults with stakeholders on potential implementation issues. WorkSafeBC’s existing B.C. ELs continue to be in effect until the Board of Directors makes a decision on the proposed amendments. See additional information on WorkSafeBC’s EL review process.

We are requesting stakeholder feedback on the proposed EL for benzene.

Providing feedback

Feedback can be provided online or via email, or mail as follows:

The consultation period ended July 31, 2026.

Please include the following information in your comments:

• Your name
• Whether you are submitting on your own behalf or on behalf of an organization (name of your organization if you’re authorized to speak on its behalf; note that this information will be published)
• Whether you’re commenting from a worker’s perspective, an employer’s perspective, or an “other” perspective (representing a group such as a licensing or regulatory body, or a professional or industry association)
• Your level of support for the adoption of the proposed revised B.C. EL in the Table — whether you generally agree, are generally neutral, or generally disagree
• The reasons for your level of support

We will send you an acknowledgement of receipt of your feedback.

Unless clarification is needed, we will not contact you about the contents of your submission.

Publication and disclosure of personal information

Please note that all comments become part of the Policy, Regulation and Research Department’s database and may be published, including the identity of organizations and those participating on behalf of organizations. The identity of those who have participated on their own behalf will be kept confidential according to the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Publication by WorkSafeBC does not mean WorkSafeBC endorses the view(s) of the person making the submission.