Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning Danger

Welcome back, let's Build Smart & Build Safe! We addressed cold stress yesterday. Today, we focus on the silent killer often associated with winter construction: Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning.

The need for temporary heat in enclosed spaces creates a severe, potentially fatal hazard that is easy to prevent with the right procedures.

The Invisible Threat: Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas. It is produced when fuel (like propane, kerosene, gasoline, or natural gas) is burned without enough oxygen—which is exactly what happens when fuel-burning heaters are operated indoors without sufficient ventilation.

CO poisoning is deadly because the gas replaces oxygen in the bloodstream. Symptoms of exposure are often mistaken for the flu or simple fatigue:

• Dull Headache 

• Nausea and Dizziness

• Weakness and Confusion

If you or a coworker feel these symptoms in an enclosed area with a heater, evacuate immediately and seek fresh air and medical attention.

Critical Control Measures

The risk of CO poisoning must be controlled through two main procedures: ventilation and monitoring.

1. Ventilation: If using fuel-burning heaters (torpedo heaters, salamanders, etc.) in a tented or partially enclosed space, you must ensure fresh air is continuously entering the area. Ventilation must be maintained throughout the entire period the heater is in use to vent combustion gases. Never rely on the heater's manual; prioritize airflow!

2. CO Monitoring: CO detectors/monitors must be placed in any area where fuel-burning equipment is used indoors. These devices should be checked daily and be audible to all workers. Do not operate heaters without reliable, tested CO monitoring in place.

3. Heater Placement: Never place heaters directly near intake vents or windows, as this can draw the combustion exhaust back into the work area.

Remember, the warmth of the heater is not worth the risk of silent, fatal poisoning.

Tomorrow, we'll cover the necessary safety precautions for temporary heating equipment, including safe fuel storage.

Please share us with your friends for a daily dose of construction safety tips!

-The Safety Man