coke ovens; or in one of the following
What is carbon monoxide?
occupations:
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous,
colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. Although it Welder Diesel engine operator
鈻? 鈻?
has no detectable odor, CO is often mixed with Garage mechanic Forklift operator
鈻? 鈻?
other gases that do have an odor. So, you can Firefighter Marine terminal worker
鈻? 鈻?
inhale carbon monoxide right along with gases that
Carbon-black maker Toll booth or tunnel
鈻? 鈻?
you can smell and not even know that CO is
attendant
Organic chemical
present. 鈻?
synthesizer Customs inspector
鈻?
CO is a common industrial hazard resulting Metal oxide reducer Police officer
鈻? 鈻?
from the incomplete burning of natural gas and
Longshore worker Taxi driver.
鈻? 鈻?
any other material containing carbon such as
gasoline, kerosene, oil, propane, coal, or wood. What can you do if you suspect
Forges, blast furnaces and coke ovens produce someone has been poisoned?
CO, but one of the most common sources of
When you suspect CO poisoning, promptly
exposure in the workplace is the internal
taking the following actions can save lives:
combustion engine.
鈻? Move the victim immediately to fresh air
How does CO harm you? in an open area.
Carbon monoxide is harmful when breathed 鈻? Call 911 or another local emergency number
because it displaces oxygen in the blood and for medical attention or assistance.
deprives the heart, brain, and other vital organs 鈻? Administer 100-percent oxygen using a
of oxygen. Large amounts of CO can overcome tight-fitting mask if the victim is breathing.
you in minutes without warning鈥攃ausing you to
鈻? Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation
lose consciousness and suffocate.
if the victim has stopped breathing.
Besides tightness across the chest, initial Warning: You may be exposed to fatal levels
symptoms of CO poisoning may include of CO poisoning in a rescue attempt. Rescuers
headache, fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, or should be skilled at performing recovery
nausea. Sudden chest pain may occur in people operations and using recovery equipment.
with angina. During prolonged or high exposures, Employers should make sure that rescuers are
symptoms may worsen and include vomiting, not exposed to dangerous CO levels when
confusion, and collapse in addition to loss of performing rescue operations.
consciousness and muscle weakness. Symptoms
vary widely from person to person. CO poisoning How can employers help prevent
may occur sooner in those most susceptible: young CO poisoning?
children, elderly people, people with lung or heart
To reduce the chances of CO poisoning in your
disease, people at high altitudes, or those who
workplace, you should take the following actions:
already have elevated CO blood levels, such as
鈻? Install an effective ventilation system that
smokers. Also, CO poisoning poses a special risk
will remove CO from work areas.
to fetuses.
鈻? Maintain equipment and appliances (e.g., water
CO poisoning can be reversed if caught in
heaters, space heaters, cooking ranges) that
time. But even if you recover, acute poisoning
can produce CO in good working order to
may result in permanent damage to the parts of
promote their safe operation and to reduce
your body that require a lot of oxygen such as the
CO formation.
heart and brain. Significant reproductive risk is
鈻? Consider switching from gasoline-powered
also linked to CO.
equipment to equipment powered by electricity,
Who is at risk? batteries, or compressed air if it can be used
safely.
You may be exposed to harmful levels of CO in
boiler rooms, breweries, warehouses, petroleum 鈻? Prohibit the use of gasoline-powered engines
refineries, pulp and paper production, and steel or tools in poorly ventilated areas.
production; around docks, blast furnaces, or
What are the OSHA standards for
Provide personal CO monitors with audible
鈻?
CO exposure?
alarms if potential exposure to CO exists.
鈻? Test air regularly in areas where CO may be The OSHA PEL is 50 parts per million (ppm).
鈻?
present, including confined spaces. See OSHA standards prohibit worker exposure to
Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations more than 50 parts of the gas per million parts
(CFR) 1910.146. of air averaged during an 8-hour time period.
鈻? Install CO monitors with audible alarms. The 8-hour PEL for CO in maritime operations
鈻?
is also 50 ppm. Maritime workers, however,
鈻? Use a full-facepiece pressure-demand self-
must be removed from exposure if the CO
contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
concentration in the atmosphere exceeds
certified by the National Institute for
100 ppm. The peak CO level for employees
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), or a
engaged in Ro-Ro operations (roll-on roll-off
combination full-facepiece pressure demand
operations during cargo loading and unloading)
supplied-air respirator with auxiliary self-
is 200 ppm.
contained air supply in areas with high CO
concentrations, i.e., those immediately
How can you get more information
dangerous to life and health atmospheres.
on safety and health?
(See 29 CFR 1910.134.)
OSHA has various publications, standards,
鈻? Use respirators with appropriate canisters for
technical assistance, and compliance tools to help
short periods under certain circumstances
you, and offers extensive assistance through
where CO levels are not exceedingly high.
workplace consultation, voluntary protection
鈻? Educate workers about the sources and
programs, grants, strategic partnerships, state
conditions that may result in CO poisoning plans, training, and education. OSHA鈥檚 Safety
as well as the symptoms and control of CO and Health Program Management Guidelines
exposure. (Federal Register 54:3904-3916, January 26,
In addition, if your employees are working in 1989) detail elements critical to the development
confined spaces where the presence of CO is of a successful safety and health management
suspected, you must ensure that workers test for system. This and other information are available
oxygen sufficiency before entering. on OSHA鈥檚 website.
鈻? For one free copy of OSHA publications, send
What can employees do to help a self-addressed mailing lable to OSHA
prevent CO poisoning? Publications Office, P.O. Box 37535,
Employees should do the following to reduce Washington, DC 20013-7535; or send a
the chances of CO poisoning in the workplace: request to our fax at (202) 693-2498, or call
us at (202) 693-1888.
鈻? Report any situation to your employer that
might cause CO to accumulate. 鈻? To order OSHA publications online at
www.osha.gov, go to Publications and
鈻? Be alert to ventilation problems鈥攅specially in
follow the instructions for ordering.
enclosed areas where gases of burning fuels
may be released. 鈻? To file a complaint by phone, report an
emergency, or get OSHA advice, assistance, or
鈻? Report promptly complaints of dizziness,
products, contact your nearest OSHA office
drowsiness, or nausea.
under the 鈥淯.S. Department of Labor鈥? listing
鈻? Avoid overexertion if you suspect CO poisoning
in your phone book, or call toll-free at
and leave the contaminated area.
(800) 321-OSHA (6742). The teletypewriter
鈻? Tell your doctor that you may have been
(TTY) number is (877) 889-5627.
exposed to CO if you get sick. 鈻? To file a complaint online or obtain more
鈻? Avoid the use of gas-powered engines, such as
information on OSHA federal and state
those in powered washers as well as heaters programs, visit OSHA鈥檚 website.
and forklifts, while working in enclosed spaces.
This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies, or standards. It does not impose
any new compliance requirements or carry the force of legal opinion. For compliance requirements of OSHA standards or
regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired
individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-1999. See also OSHA鈥檚 website at www.osha.gov.
U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2002
|