What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible gas that is also tasteless and odorless. It’s produced by the incomplete combustion of certain materials that contain carbon, such as coal, natural gas, gasoline, oil, and wood. Because it is impossible to see, taste, or smell, carbon monoxide can poison people and animals without them even realizing it.

Carbon monoxide binds with hemoglobin in the blood, forming carboxyhemoglobin, which inhibits the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to body tissues and vital organs. When high levels of CO are inhaled, the body replaces the oxygen in the blood with CO. This can lead to serious tissue damage or even death.

What are some common sources of carbon monoxide?

Common sources of carbon monoxide include the following:

• Vehicles or engines running in an enclosed space. Exhaust from cars, trucks, and other engines contains significant amounts of carbon monoxide. Running a vehicle in an enclosed space like a garage can lead to CO accumulation.
• Heating systems. Improperly vented or malfunctioning furnaces, boilers, water heaters, and fireplaces can release carbon monoxide.
• Gas stoves and ovens. Using gas stoves and ovens for heating or operating them without proper ventilation can produce carbon monoxide.
• Burning charcoal or wood. Charcoal grills, wood stoves, fireplaces, and campfires produce carbon monoxide. Using them in enclosed spaces can lead to CO buildup.
• Portable generators. Running a portable generator inside a home, basement, garage, or near a window can lead to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide indoors.
• Blocked flues or vents. Blocked or damaged chimney flues and vents for appliances can prevent proper venting of CO to the outside.
• Power tools and equipment. Running gas-powered tools and equipment indoors or in poorly ventilated areas can produce carbon monoxide.
• Certain types of space heaters. Non-electric space heaters, especially those that burn fuel like kerosene, can generate carbon monoxide if not used properly.

It’s essential to ensure proper ventilation and maintenance of heating systems, appliances, and vehicles to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Installing carbon monoxide detectors in homes and workplaces can also help detect and prevent CO poisoning.

Which workers are most at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Workers most at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning include those who work in environments where combustion engines or equipment are used, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.

Key at-risk groups include:

• Construction workers exposed to gas-powered tools indoors or in poorly ventilated areas
• Warehouse workers exposed to forklifts, generators, or heaters with combustion engines that are operated indoors
• Firefighters exposed to carbon monoxide during and after fires
• Agricultural workers exposed to gasoline-powered equipment in poorly ventilated areas, such as barns or greenhouses
• Miners, especially those working in underground locations where ventilation may be inadequate
• Longshore and dock workers exposed to gasoline-powered equipment or vessels emitting CO
• Welders exposed to various combustion byproducts, including carbon monoxide, especially in confined spaces
• Boiler room workers exposed to malfunctioning or improperly ventilated heating systems
• Garage mechanics and auto technicians exposed to vehicle exhaust in enclosed spaces
• Toll booth operators exposed to car exhaust in high-traffic areas

Employers should ensure proper ventilation, use carbon monoxide detectors, and provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to mitigate these risks. Workers should also be trained to recognize symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and follow safety protocols to reduce exposure.

What do I do if I was exposed to carbon monoxide?

If you suspect you’ve been exposed to carbon monoxide, immediately move to an area with fresh air, alert your supervisor and other employees who may be exposed, and seek medical attention by calling 911 or going to the emergency room, even if you don’t feel ill.

Inform the medical staff that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning so they can conduct the necessary blood tests. Do not re-enter the premises until it has been cleared by a professional.

What are my rights if I’ve been exposed to carbon monoxide at work?

If you’ve been exposed to carbon monoxide at work, you have several rights under most labor laws, including those enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the U.S.

Firstly, you have the right to a safe workplace that is free from recognized hazards, including harmful levels of carbon monoxide. This means your employer must take reasonable steps to reduce or eliminate exposure risks.

If you’ve been exposed, you have the right to seek medical attention and to report the exposure without fear of retaliation. You also have the right to request an OSHA inspection if you believe there are unsafe conditions or violations of standards at your workplace.

If the exposure leads to significant medical issues, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, which can include medical expenses, a portion of your lost wages, and disability benefits if you’re unable to return to work. Family members whose loved one dies from a work-related carbon monoxide exposure may also be entitled to death benefits.

It’s important to report the exposure to your employer as soon as possible and to document any medical care received as a result of the exposure to ensure you remain eligible for these benefits.

Get help from an experienced North Carolina work injury attorney today. Call Wilder Pantazis Law Group.