Carbon Monoxide Poisoning at Work

Most of us are familiar with the potentially lethal danger of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home whilst we are asleep yet any enclosed space which contains equipment and appliances which burn fuels are just as susceptible so that includes workplaces and enclosed sites.

What Causes Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is produced as a direct result of an incomplete combustion of fuel. Therefore, there are many devices which, if damaged or not kept well-maintained, have the potential to cause carbon monoxide poisoning in the workplace. These can include, but are not limited to:

• Furnaces and water heaters
• Room heaters and central heating system
• Cooking and canteen appliances
• Portable generators
• Vehicle engines being run in enclosed and poorly ventilated spaces and faulty exhaust systems
• Blocked or damaged chimneys

In fact, any appliance which is gas, petrol or wood fuelled has the potential to be a killer if it’s not properly maintained and/or operated in a well ventilated area.

Minimising the Risks at Work

Poorly maintained, aging and defective appliances alongside inadequate ventilation are the primary causes of carbon monoxide poisoning in the workplace. Therefore, it’s crucial that a thorough risk assessment is carried out with regards to all of the equipment and appliances that could be susceptible to ensure that they are all in perfect working order and replaced or fixed if not the case. In conjunction with that, a risk assessment should also ensure that the ventilation which is required when you operate these types of appliances is also fully compliant with workplace health and safety legislation and is kept clear from obstructions and is kept well maintained. Finally, you should ensure that you have carbon monoxide detectors in place and that they are tested regularly.

Detecting Carbon Monoxide in the Workplace

Carbon monoxide poisoning has often been referred to as the ‘silent, deadly killer’ as you can’t see, hear or even smell it. This is why people have fallen prey to its devastating effect as they’ve been asleep in bed at home. So, whilst a workplace might not seem to be the kind of environment where you might think you would be at risk as you’re highly likely to be awake at work, nevertheless you can still be susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Recognising the Early Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning at Work

In the early stages, if carbon monoxide is present, you might start to experience non-specific symptoms which can vary from person to person but, in general, these can often be similar to those you might experience if you had flu but without incurring a high temperature. Therefore, you might experience nausea, dizziness, headache, abdominal pain or stomach upset or a sore throat and/or persistent cough. One of the surest signs that carbon monoxide is present in the workplace is if these symptoms start to diminish when you leave work and return home only to re-emerge when you’re next in work and this is possibly more noticeable after you’ve returned from, say, a week or two’s holiday. More evidence would be where several of your colleagues are also experiencing similar symptoms.

What can I do if I Suspect Carbon Monoxide at Work?

If you and/or your colleagues are experiencing anything akin to the symptoms that are outlined above, you should immediately inform your health and safety manager at work who is obliged to carry out a thorough investigation and your employer must act upon any evidence that’s provided to them and must take all possible steps to eliminate or, at least, greatly reduce the possibility of exposure to carbon monoxide. Failure to do so and they are breaking the law and, as it can be proven through blood tests whether or not you have more than the acceptable levels of carbon monoxide in your blood, you can also sue your employer if they have been negligent and you may also be entitled to compensation.