Author: Melanie Lennon

Date: February, 2007

Hand-On Safety

During the past months, several site safety observations around forklifts and exposure to carbon monoxide have been completed. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas.  Even at low levels of exposure, carbon monoxide can cause serious health problems. CO is harmful because it will rapidly accumulate in the blood, depleting the ability of blood to carry oxygen.

We can be exposed to carbon monoxide at work and at home.  At work, forklift trucks emit carbon monoxide.  Properly tuned and maintained forklifts have low levels of carbon monoxide emissions.  Recently, a safety observation indicated a production forklift may have been emitting carbon monoxide at higher levels. The forklift was taken out of service and tuned and the carbon monoxide reduced significantly. 

At home, carbon monoxide may be emitted by your fuel-burning appliances (furnace, hot water heater, kerosene space heater).  Using a carbon monoxide detector can greatly reduce your chances of being poisoned by carbon monoxide.  There are three types of carbon monoxide detectors available – metal oxide semiconductor (MOS), biomimetic and electrochemical.  

Symptoms of exposure to carbon monoxide are varied.  At low concentrations, you may experience flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose, headache and tiredness.  Higher exposures can cause drowsiness, dizziness, vomiting and confusion.  There is an occupational exposure limit of 200 ppm as the maximum instantaneous exposure that is safe.  Any exposure above 200 ppm may be hazardous to your health.

If you suspect a carbon monoxide exposure in your home or workplace, evacuate the area immediately!  Report your suspicions by calling 911.  Protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning by staying alert to the symptoms and sources of carbon monoxide in your workplace and home.