Carbon Monoxide Safety
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (chemical abbreviation: CO) is a colorless, odorless, and highly poisonous gas. It is produced by the incomplete burning of fuels. Mostly you can find in the Steel Making Industries. Engines powered by gasoline, propane, or diesel release carbon monoxide. So do fuel-fired heaters and certain welding processes.
Since you cannot see
or smell CO, you need a detector to warn if this hazard is present. Breathing
in CO gas interferes with your body’s ability to use oxygen.
Eventually, it
deprives the body tissues of the oxygen that it needs for survival.
Safe Manual handling and Ergonomics : Napo
10 Simple Steps to Create a Safe Work Environment
CO gas can
accumulate in any enclosed or poorly ventilated space where a source of CO is
being operated. In this article we will discuss about the CO exposure and
prevention for the construction workplace.
These include
• Vehicle and
equipment cabs
• Parked vehicles
• Basements or parts
of buildings under construction
• Tarped-in areas
• Parking and
mechanic garages
• Workshops
• Warehouses
• Low-lying confined
spaces (sewers, manholes, etc.).
Safety Inspections in the Workplace
Symptoms and Health Effects
The health effects of CO will defend in the concentration of the exposure.
•
Headache
•
Fatigue
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Shortness of
breath
• Impaired vision or hearing
At the first indication of symptoms, get into the fresh air. With severe exposure, seek immediate medical attention. Continued exposure can lead to loss of consciousness, arrested breathing, heart failure, and eventually death.
Workers with heart
and lung disease are particularly sensitive to CO exposure. In addition,
cigarette smokers have higher levels of CO in their blood and may experience the
effects sooner than non-smokers.
The Importance of Ergonomics in the Workplace
Prevention
Your organization
Health and Safety Program should have written policies and procedures in place
to control and monitor CO exposure in the workplace.
Ensure that the concentration of CO does not exceed the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL).
OELs restrict the
amount and length of time a worker can be exposed to hazardous chemicals in the
air. Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents sets the OEL for
carbon monoxide as 25 parts per million (ppm) for an 8-hour Time-Weighted
Average (TWA). Exposure shall not exceed 75 ppm for any period of 30 minutes
and 125 ppm at any time.
Why Mental Health Matters in the Workplace
Training and Education
• Inform workers
about the health effects of CO exposure, sources of CO in the workplace, and precautions
that must be followed to ensure they are not exposed.
• Do not allow
workers to work alone in places where CO may accumulate.
• Teach workers how to operate fuel-powered equipment safely.
Air Gas Testing in
the Workplace
Use a direct-reading
instrument like portable gas detector or fix the gas detector in the workplace to
test the air and warn workers about dangerous levels of CO. Units designed for
in-home use are not suitable for the workplace. Be sure to follow the
manufacturer’s instructions.
The Role of Machine Guarding in Workplace Safety
Tools and Equipment
• Where possible,
operate all fuel-powered tools and equipment outdoors. For example, put welding
machines and generators outside and run the leads
or the pump into the
building.
• If fuel-powered
tools and equipment must be used inside, avoid unnecessary idling, racing the
engine, or braking erratically.
• Inspect and
maintain fuel-powered tools and equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions to ensure they run properly and as cleanly
as possible. Look
for such things as leaking exhaust connections or manifolds, as well as loose
or broken floor boards, exhaust pipes, and mufflers. Ensure that the air intake
and fuel systems are working correctly.
• Never run an
engine in an enclosed space unless a ventilation or exhaust system is available
and working properly.
• Use electric tools
or equipment where possible and when working in poorly ventilated areas.
• Use an
indirect-fired heater for heating the work area rather than a direct-fired
heater (e.g., open-flame or closed-flame heater). Indirect-fired heaters vent
combustion
by-products (including CO) outdoors while directing the heated air inside.
BP Texas City Refinery Explosion 2005 | Animation
The Benefits of Implementing a Safety Culture in Your Workplace
Ventilation
• Make sure the work
area is well-ventilated.
• Keep doors and
windows open, if possible.
• Use fans to bring
in fresh air from outside.
• When necessary,
use exhaust hoses to draw engine exhaust out of the work area. If ventilation
remains inadequate after implementing these control measures, use a
supplied-air respirator.
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