OSHA Reminds Employers to Prevent Workplace Carbon Monoxide Exposure

Carbon monoxide overexposure symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, or tightness across the chest. Severe overexposure can lead to neurological damage, coma, and death.

  • Feb 14, 2019

OSHA issued a reminder Feb. 12 to employers to take necessary steps to protect workers from the serious and potentially deadly effects of carbon monoxide exposure. The reminder follows recent incidents highlighting the need to educate employers and workers about the dangers of carbon monoxide exposure from portable generators and other equipment within enclosed spaces.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and toxic gas, so it is important that employers and workers are familiar with the symptoms of overexposure. Carbon monoxide overexposure symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, or tightness across the chest. Severe overexposure can lead to neurological damage, coma, and death.

Carbon monoxide poisoning leads to the deaths of workers every year, usually when fuel-burning equipment and tools are used in buildings or semi-enclosed spaces that aren’t properly ventilated. The danger increases during the winter, when this type of equipment is used in indoor areas that have been sealed tightly against cold temperatures and wind.

In addition to space heaters and portable generators, carbon monoxide sources can include anything that uses combustion to operate, like power tools, compressors, pumps, welding equipment, furnaces, gas-powered forklifts, and motorized vehicles.

According to OSHA, employees can reduce the risk of workplace carbon monoxide exposure by installing an effective ventilation system, avoiding the use of fuel-burning equipment and vehicles in enclosed or partially-enclosed spaces, and using carbon monoxide detectors in areas where the hazard may exist. Employers should also take other precautions as outlined in the agency's Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet.

Additional OSHA resources on carbon monoxide include videos, QuickCards, and a fact sheet on portable generator safety.

Product Showcase

  • Preventative Heat Safety

    Dehydration and heat exposure impair physical and cognitive performance. Proper hydration boosts heat stress resilience, but hydration needs are highly individualized and hard to predict across a workforce. Connected Hydration® empowers industrial athletes to stay safe through behavioral interventions, informed by sports science, and equips safety teams with critical insights to anticipate high-risk situations and adapt to evolving environmental factors. Curious about applying the latest in sports science based hydration strategies for industrial athletes? Stop by booth #1112 at AIHA or schedule a free demo today at https://epcr.cc/demo. Read More

  • Glove Guard® Clip

    Safety should never be compromised, especially when it comes to proper glove usage. The Glove Guard® clip enhances safety by encouraging employees to keep their gloves with them at all times. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries on the job. By ensuring everyone has their gloves readily available, we help promote a culture of safety and efficiency. The Glove Guard® clip is designed to withstand the toughest work environments. Constructed from robust materials made in the USA, it can endure extreme conditions, including harsh weather, and rigorous activities. Read More

  • HAZ LO HEADLAMPS

    With alkaline or rechargeable options, these safety rated, Class 1, Div. 1 Headlamps provide long runtime with both spot and flood options in the same light. Work safely and avoid trip hazards with flexible hands-free lighting from Streamlight. Read More

Featured

Most   Popular

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars