Safety-First

Carbon monoxide results from the incomplete burning of carbon-containing fuels such as natural gas, gasoline, kerosene, oil, or propane. Because it has no odor or color, CO gas is impossible to detect by smell or sight, so you can be breathing it in without knowing it. Moreover, because initial symptoms that include headaches, fatigue, and dizziness, exposure is frequently chalked up to normal job-site physical stressors, cold, or flu. 

Common exposure

How prevalent is the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning on the job-site? Well, how often do construction workers use an air compressor indoors to power their nail guns, or run a heater to warm their work area during cold months? A lot. Even though they may set the compressor or generator near a door of the room they’re working in, the fumes don’t stop at the doorframe. The same holds true when work areas are enclosed with tarps or temporary structures: just because there are openings (including windows and doors) to the space, it doesn’t mean that there is proper ventilation and air movement, and the harmful gas can be building up.

Equally as deceptive are large indoor spaces—like warehouses—that seem to have ample space for CO fumes to dissipate. But this misconception can easily lead to harmful levels of CO and subsequent poisoning. For instance, it’s not unusual for a warehouse worker to leave a forklift or other equipment running while pausing one task to complete another, or to have an idling vehicle sitting at a loading dock in preparation for the day’s tasks.

Common sources of CO exposure on the job-site or in a warehouse (with natural gas, gasoline, kerosene, oil, and propane as equipment fuel source):

Prevention through awareness

The following can serve as key points for training or .

  1. Use alternatives to gas-powered equipment (electrical or hydraulic) when working indoors or in confined spaces. 
  2. If you must use gas-powered equipment, never run it in an enclosed space or indoors. Place the equipment outside of the structure, setting it at least 20 feet away with the exhaust pointing away from the work structure. Ensure that the area where the equipment is placed has 3-4 feet of clear space on all sides/above it to ensure optimal performance. 
  3. If gas- or propane-powered equipment is necessary, even with distance and ventilation precautions in place, use job-site or personal CO monitors with an audible alarm. Refer to OSHA or NIOSH standards for continuous/maximum parts per million exposure limits. 
  4. Be alert to the symptoms of low-level CO poisoning, including headaches, nausea, and confusion). Be sure to set up response protocols if CO poisoning is suspected, which include getting to fresh air right away and seeking immediate medical attention.
  5. Be aware of propane space heaters use in colder months—they may seem harmless but can put employees at risk without proper precautions.
  6. Remember that CO danger isn’t just in “confined spaces.” Rooms with open windows, warehouses, and parking garages can all be risky without proper airflow.
  7. Look out for fellow employees and share information about CO exposure and risks. Most importantly, be a good example to coworkers by taking proper safety precautions.

Check out these resources for more information on carbon monoxide hazards, including this safety article from NIOSH, this prevention video from OSHA (in English and Spanish), and this OSHA Quick Card in English and Spanish.