264296 A Recent Carbon Monoxide Incident with Documented Exposures

Monday, October 29, 2012

John Morawetz, ScM , Center for Worker Health and Safety Education, International Chemical Workers Union Council/UFCW, Cincinnati, OH
  
In January, 2012 a propane powered welding generator was used for construction purposes at a building that is occupied by a Training Center in an urban setting. The prompt use of a direct reading carbon monoxide (CO) meter recorded levels at various locations that demonstrate a wide variability of CO levels from 10 to 115 ppm. The staff were able to remove the source of the exposure and take rapid action to provide fresh air to lower exposures to the staff although some exposures persisted for hours. The incident demonstrates a lack of common knowledge by workers using equipment that can generate high levels of CO. A number of OSHA standards were likely violated.

Learning Areas:
Occupational health and safety

Learning Objectives:
Participants will explain the hazards of carbon monoxide. Participants will list methods to properly operate propane engines. Participants will identify methods to reduce carbon dioxide exposure in office areas. Participants will compare different goals of operating a carbon monoxide direct reading instrument.

Keywords: Indoor Environment, Toxicants

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I inteviewed key personel, drafted and edited the enclosed summary.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3092.0: Poster Session: Occupational Hygiene and Exposure Assessment