October 2009
Carbon Monoxide

I have a few safety topics that warrant repeating on an annual basis. One is the proper filling and storage of LPG products and another is carbon monoxide asphyxiation. With the heating season coming upon us, now is the time to remind people about carbon monoxide.

Do you know the leading cause of poisoning in the America?  It is odorless. It is colorless. It is tasteless. It is deadly. It is carbon monoxide. Mild poisoning can cause such symptoms as nausea, dizziness or headaches while severe poisoning can result in brain or heart damage or even death.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas produced during the incomplete combustion of carbon containing substances (paper, wood, and petroleum products). Forklifts powered by gasoline, natural gas, or propane may emit dangerous levels of CO. Because CO has no warning properties, employees can be exposed to high levels without realizing that there is a problem. This also applies to other gasoline, natural gas, or propane fueled vehicles, power tools, or other equipment used indoors, such as floor buffers, pressure washers, ice cleaners used to resurface ice rinks, or unvented space heaters.

The most effective way to keep CO concentrations below the 35 parts per million of air (ppm) eight hour time-weighted average permissible and the ceiling of 200 ppm (as measured over a 15 minute period) (individual State regulations may be more stringent) is to utilize one or more of the following controls:

Suggestions for Employers:

·         Where possible, substitute equipment that doesnt produce CO or Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) (e.g. electric forklifts).

·         Ensure proper maintenance of forklifts to reduce emissions.

·         Maintain appliances and equipment in good order, adjusting flames, burners and drafts to reduce the formation of carbon monoxide.

·         Do not allow forklifts to idle while waiting to resume operations.

·         Ensure proper ventilation of work areas. This is especially a potential problem during periods of cold weather when shop and warehouse doors and windows are shut tight and ventilation is restricted.

·         Use CO sensors or alarms; conduct periodic sampling of the work area for CO and NOx.

·         Provide training to employees on the symptoms, sources, and prevention of CO and NOx poisoning.

Suggestions for Workers:

·         Report to your employer any condition which might make carbon monoxide form or accumulate.

·         Be alert to ventilation problems, especially in enclosed areas where gases of burning fuels may be released.

·         Report complaints early. Don't overexert yourself if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. Physical activity increases the body's need for oxygen and thus increases the danger of poisoning.

·         If you get sick, don't forget to tell your doctor about the possibility of exposure to carbon monoxide.

·         Think carefully about your smoking habits. Tobacco, when burned, releases carbon monoxide which reduces the oxygen-carrying ability of the blood, even before any industrial exposure is added.

Two more areas to consider for fuel burning forklifts are:

1.  Catalytic Converter
Recent technology has produced the catalytic converter. Once installed on the exhaust system of a fork lift, the converter works by chemically changing the carbon monoxide to relatively harmless carbon dioxide. This device is particularly valuable in situations where large numbers of fork lifts are operated in a limited space, or they can't be removed from service frequently. Catalytic converters can reduce carbon monoxide levels dramatically. Be aware that catalytic converters are not inexpensive, and the catalyst must be replaced periodically to maintain its effectiveness. Also to work properly, they require high exhaust gas temperatures, so they are not as effective when engines are run cold or for brief periods of time.

2.  Carbon Monoxide Controller
This computer operated device detects the level of carbon monoxide in the exhaust pipe and automatically causes the proper air to fuel ration adjustments to be made in the engine. This device not only reduces carbon monoxide emissions, but has the added benefit of better fuel economy.

These control measures should also keep NOx exposures below the permissible exposure limit. It is important to recognize that although adjustment of carburetor balance on fueled engines can reduce CO emissions to safe levels, over-adjustment can actually increase NOx emissions to hazardous levels. It is very important to establish and maintain correct carburetor balance of fueled equipment used indoors.

What about the home?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends installing at least one carbon monoxide detector per household, near the sleeping area.  I highly recommend the Nighthawk CO Detector which is available almost everywhere.  If you have any type of propane or natural gas burning equipment in your home, or a fire place, please consider the purchase of a CO detector.  It is a gift of life that you would be giving your family.  Don't forget relatives or friends.  Many of them may not have heard about CO detectors and how effective they are at saving lives.

In the workplace:

Remember, any fuel burning apparatus will emit carbon monoxide. People think about forklifts and vehicles but tend to forget about the heating system or the hot water heater. I know of many instances where we have installed the Nighthawk CO Detector and found a cracked heat exchanger in a heater or a plugged vent pipe or chimney.

If you suspect carbon monoxide, get out of the area and into the open fresh air. Remove anyone overcome by the gas immediately and give the person artificial respiration. Call for a doctor and continue the artificial respiration until the doctor arrives or the person recovers. Prompt action can make the difference between life and death.

Please read the December 2006 Safety Topic for more details and facts on this deadly silent killer; Carbon Monoxide.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Michael Dodd

GAWDA DOT, Security, OSHA, and EPA Consultant
MLD Safety Associates, LLC

597 County Road 467
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
(573) 785-5111
Fax: (573) 785-5112
Email: MLDSafety@hotmail.com