Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It’s commonly produced by the incomplete burning of fuels like gasoline, oil, propane, coal, and wood. The most common workplace source is internal combustion engines.

HOW CO POISONING HARMS THE BODY

• CO replaces oxygen in your bloodstream, depriving vital organs—especially the heart and brain—of oxygen.

• High levels can cause unconsciousness or death within minutes.

• Carbon monoxide poisoning can be reversed if caught in time. However, even with recovery, acute poisoning may cause permanent damage to organs that need a lot of oxygen, such as the heart and brain.

INITIAL SYMPTOMS 

• Tightness across the chest

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Drowsiness

• Nausea.

DURING PROLONGED OR HIGH EXPOSURES

• Vomiting

• Muscle weakness

• Confusion

• Collapse

• Loss of consciousness

AT-RISK INDIVIDUALS

Carbon monoxide poisoning may occur sooner in people who are more susceptible. This includes individuals with lung or heart disease, those with anemia, older adults and people who already have elevated carbon monoxide levels in their blood, such as smokers. 

Workers in certain environments or occupations may also face increased risk due to higher or repeated exposure to carbon monoxide. While anyone can be affected at high enough levels, these groups may experience symptoms more quickly or at lower exposures.

AT-RISK ENVIRONMENTS

• Boiler rooms

• Warehouses

• Steel plants

• Refineries

• Confined spaces or areas near engines

AT-RISK OCCUPATIONS

• Welders

• Firefighters

• Forklift and diesel engine operators

• Mechanics

• Tunnel and toll booth workers

WHAT TO DO IF POISONED

When you suspect CO poisoning, promptly taking the following actions can save lives:

• Immediately move the victim to fresh air in an open area.

• Call 911 or emergency services.

• If trained, administer 100% oxygen using a tight-fitting mask while the victim is breathing.

• Start CPR if necessary.

Warning: You may be exposed to fatal levels of CO poisoning in a rescue attempt. Rescuers should be skilled at performing recovery operations and using recovery equipment. Employers should make sure that rescuers are not exposed to dangerous CO levels when performing rescue operations.

PREVENTING CO POISONING

EMPLOYEE ROLE

• Report ventilation issues or symptoms immediately.

• Avoid fuel-powered tools in closed spaces.

• Leave the area if CO exposure is suspected.

EMPLOYER ROLE

• Install an effective ventilation system.

• Maintain equipment and appliances, such as water heaters, space heaters and cooking ranges, in good working order to ensure safe operation and reduce carbon monoxide production.

• Consider switching from gasoline-powered equipment to equipment powered by electricity, batteries, or compressed air.

• Prohibit the use of gasoline-powered engines or tools in poorly ventilated areas, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

• Provide CO alarms and personal monitors with audible alarms.

• Test air quality regularly, especially in confined spaces.

• When carbon monoxide levels are very high — dangerous enough to threaten life or health — workers must use NIOSH-certified respirators. This can be a full-face, pressure-demand self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or a full-face, pressure-demand supplied-air respirator (SAR) with backup air. Employers must provide proper training, fit testing, medical evaluations, and equipment maintenance. 

• Educate workers about the sources and conditions that can cause CO poisoning, the symptoms to watch for, and how to control exposure.

In addition, if your employees are working in confined spaces where CO is suspected, you must ensure that workers test for oxygen sufficiency before entering.

RESOURCES AND REFERENCES

 

OSHA 1917.24 Carbon Monoxide
https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10366

OSHA Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheets & Quick Cards
https://www.osha.gov/pls/publications/publication.athruz?pType=Industry&pID=30