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Laborer Dies of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning When He Operates a Gasoline-Powered Concrete Saw Indoors
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2017/08/31
[PDF-337.17 KB]
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Description:A laborer, working alone in a vacant store in a shopping mall, died of carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of operating a gasoline-powered, walk-behind concrete saw in an enclosed space. The saw was being used to cut through the concrete floor in order to dig new plumbing trenches. At the time of the incident, the space was not mechanically ventilated and had no natural ventilation. The victim was working with an unlicensed plumbing contractor, who was working for a licensed general contractor. The California Fatality Assessment Control Evaluation (CA/FACE) program concluded that the following steps should be taken to prevent similar incidents and recommends: 1. Only electric-powered concrete saws should be used in enclosed spaces. If a generator powers the electric saw, the generator must be placed outdoors, well away from the enclosed space. 2. Employers should train employees to understand that all fuel-powered tools emit carbon monoxide and represent a potentially fatal hazard when used in enclosed spaces. Employees should also be trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, and the limitations of respiratory protection. 3. Concrete saw manufacturers should label fuel-powered concrete saws with a clear warning. For example: WARNING -- DO NOT USE INDOORS OR IN ENCLOSED SPACES -- CARBON MONOXIDE PRODUCED DURING USE CAN KILL. Equipment rental companies should also attach such warning labels to all fuel-powered concrete saws. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS: Occupational injuries and fatalities are often the result of one or more contributing factors or key events in a larger sequence of events that ultimately result in an injury or fatality. The CA/FACE team identified the following contributing factors in this incident that ultimately led to the fatality: 1. Using fuel-powered tools in an unventilated indoor space causes carbon monoxide to accumulate over time to lethal levels. 2. Using air-purifying respirators which do not protect against carbon monoxide exposure. 3. Working alone, the victim could not be immediately removed from the dangerous atmosphere when he lost consciousness.
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Pages in Document:1-8
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NIOSHTIC Number:20052947
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NTIS Accession Number:PB2018-101647
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Citation:Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, FACE 17CA001, 2017 Aug; :1-8
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Federal Fiscal Year:2017
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Performing Organization:California Department of Public Health
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Peer Reviewed:False
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Start Date:2005/07/01
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End Date:2026/06/30
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Resource Number:FACE-17CA001
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