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Blueprint: Carbon monoxide

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Suppose you were working inside a confined space and you suddenly started to experience tightness in your chest, a headache, fatigue, nausea and dizziness.

At first, you might think you were getting the flu. However, these symptoms could actually indicate a much more severe health problem: carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Keep in mind that you could be overcome by a high volume of CO gas within minutes, causing you to lose consciousness and suffocate.

In fact, about 420 people die from CO poisoning every year in the U.S., while another 100,000 individuals go to hospital emergency rooms for treatment of CO poisoning.

Remember too that the winter months are the most dangerous time for CO-related injuries and deaths – more than half of CO poisoning incidents are reported in November, December, January and February.

In many cases, the person affected by CO isn’t even aware of the problem until it’s too late. That’s because CO is an invisible gas that has no smell or taste.

(When are we most at risk of exposure to CO?)

Because CO is a byproduct of the incomplete burning of fuel, we’re at risk when we’re working around
• equipment powered by an internal combustion engine, such as portable generators, industrial vehicles, trucks and forklifts
• kilns, furnaces and fuel-powered boilers
• space heaters

While performing tasks that could expose you to CO, it’s important to make sure the work area is well ventilated. And don’t place fuel-powered equipment indoors. Instead, position the devices outdoors at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents.

Don’t use equipment powered by fuel, including power washers, heaters and forklifts, inside enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces.

Despite your best efforts to limit exposure to CO, there’s still a chance you or a colleague could be overcome by CO fumes. If you suspect that a coworker has been exposed to CO, immediately move the victim to an open area with fresh air, then call 9-1-1.

If your crew mate is still breathing, use a tight-fitting mask to provide 100% oxygen to the person. If the victim is no longer breathing, administer CPR, but only if you’ve been trained to do so.

Caution: As a would-be rescuer, you could be exposed to fatal levels of CO while attempting to help someone else, so don’t try to revive a CO poisoning victim unless you know what you’re doing.

Thanks for your attention. And remember, let’s stay safe out there!

(From the Nov. 13, 2023, issue of Safety Alert for Supervisors. To start your no-obligation trial subscription to the publication right now, please click here.)