What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a poisonous, colourless, odourless and tasteless gas. Although it has no detectable odour, (CO) is often mixed with other gases that do have an odour. Therefore you can be inhaling (CO) along with other gases that smell but not realise you are also taking in Carbon Monoxide.
(CO) is a common industrial hazard resulting from the incomplete burning of natural gas and any material containing carbon such as gasoline, kerosene, oil, propane, coal or wood. Forges, blast ovens and coke ovens all produce (CO), but one of the most common sources of exposure in the workplace is the internal combustion engine.
How does Carbon Monoxide harm you?
Carbon Monoxide is harmful when breathed in because it displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives the heart, brain and other vital organs of oxygen. Large amounts of (CO) can overcome you in minutes, without warning, causing you to lose consciousness and suffocate.
Initial symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning include tightness across the chest, headache, fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness and nausea. People with angina may experience sudden chest pain. During prolonged or high exposures, symptoms may worsen and include vomiting, confusion, and collapse in addition to loss of consciousness and muscle weakness. Symptoms vary widely from person to person. (CO) poisoning may occur sooner in those most susceptible for example young children, elderly people, people with heart or lung disease, people living at high altitudes or those who already have elevated Carbon Monoxide blood levels such as smokers. Also, (CO) poisoning poses a special risk to foetuses.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be reversed if caught in time. But even if you recover, acute poisoning may result in permanent damage to the parts of your body that require a lot of oxygen such as the heart and brain. Significant reproductive risk is also linked to Carbon Monoxide.
Who is at risk?
You may be exposed to harmful levels of (CO) in boiler rooms, breweries, warehouses, petroleum refineries, pulp and paper production, steel production, or working as a Welder, Garage mechanic, Fire fighter, Carbon-black maker, Organic chemical synthesizer, Metal oxide reducer, Diesel engine operator, Forklift operator, Marine terminal worker, Toll booth or tunnel attendant, Customers inspector, Police officer, Taxi driver along with many others working in environments where exhaust gases are present.
What can you do if you suspect someone has been poisoned?
When you suspect Carbon Monoxide poisoning, promptly take the following actions can save lives:
Move the victim immediately to fresh air in an open area.
Call 999 for medical assistance.
Administer 100% oxygen using a tight fitting mask if the victim is breathing.
Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the victim has stopped breathing.
Warning: You may be exposed to fatal levels of (CO) in a rescue attempt. Rescuers should be skilled at performing recovery operations and using recovery equipment. Employers should make sure that rescuers are not exposed to dangerous (CO) levels when performing rescue operations.
How can employers help prevent (CO) poisoning?
To reduce the chances of (CO) poisoning in your workplace, you should take the following actions:
Install an effective ventilation system that will remove (CO) from work areas.
Maintain equipment and appliances (water heaters, space heaters, cooking ranges) that can produce (CO) in good working order to promote their safe operation and to reduce (CO) formation.
Consider switching from gasoline powered equipment to equipment powered by electricity, batteries, or compressed air if it can be used safely.
Prohibit the use of gasoline powered engines or tools in poorly ventilated areas.
Provide personal (CO) monitors with audible alarms if potential exposure to (CO) exists.
Test air regularly in areas where (CO) may be present, including confined spaces.
Install (CO) monitors with audible alarms.
Educate workers about the sources and conditions that may result in (CO) poisoning as well as the symptoms and control of (CO) exposure.
In addition if your employees are working in confined spaces where the presence of (CO) is suspected, you must ensure that workers test for oxygen sufficiency before entering.
Where can I find more information?
http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/co.htm
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