NIOSH • COPHE * GPSe < OSHA • EPA
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from
Small Gasoline-Powered Engines and Tools
WARNING!
Indoor use of gasoline-powered engines and tools is risky business.
Many people using gasoline-powered tools such as high-pressure washers concrete
cutting saws (walk-behind/hand-held), power trowels, floo? buffers welders pumS S5T
P^honrL^tH!n^°oAn bUildiniS, °r semienclosed sPaces have been poisoned by
carbon mnn.v.Hn ,nnx oO can rapidly accumulate (even, in areas that appear to be well
dangerous or fatal concentrations within minutes. Examples of
include the following:
• Five workers were treated for CO poi-
soning after using two 8-horsepower,
gasoline-powered pressure washers in
a poorly ventilated underground parking
garage.,
• A plumber used a gasoline-powered
concrete saw in a basement with open
doors and windows and a cooling fan.
He experienced a severe headache
and dizziness and began to act in a
paranoid manner. His symptoms were
related to CO poisoning.
A farm owner died of CO poisoning
while using an 11-horsepower, gasoline-
powered pressure washer to clean his
barn. He had worked about 30 minutes
before being overcome.
A municipal employee at an indoor water
treatment plant lost consciousness while
trying to exit from a 59,000-cubic-foot
room in which he had been working
with an 8-horsepower, gasoline-powered
pump. Doors adjacent to the work area
were open while he worked. His hos-
pital diagnosis was CO poisoning.
These examples show a range of effects caused by CO poisoning in a variety of work
settings with exposures that occurred over different time periods and with different types
of ventilation. Workers in areas with closed doors and windows were incapacitated within
k a Hlenn?£emn9 doors and wind°ws or operating fans does NOT guarantee safety. CO
BUSINESS P°'SOn' °peratmg Qasoline-powered engines and tools indoors is RISKY
Please distribute copies to users.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
It is not widely known that small gasoline-powered engines and tools present a serious
health hazard. They produce high concentrations of CO-a poisonous gas that can
cause Hlness, permanent neurological damage, and death. Because it ,s colorless
odorless, and nonirritating, CO can overcome exposed persons without warning. Often
there is little time before they experience symptoms that inhibit their ability to seek safety
Prior use of equipment without incident has sometimes given users a false sense of
safety such users have been poisoned on subsequent occasions. Recommendations
for preventing CO poisoning are provided below for employers, equipment users, tool
rental agencies, and tool manufacturers.
AH Employers and Equipment Users
Should:
• NOT allow the use of or operate gaso-
line-powered engines or tools inside
buildings or in partially enclosed areas
unless gasoline engines can be located
outside and away from air intakes. Use
of gasoline-powered tools indoors
where CO from the engine can accumu-
late can be fatal.
An exception to this rule might be an
emergency rescue situation in which
other options are not available—and then
only when equipment operators, assist-
ing personnel, and the victim are pro-
vided with supplied-air respirators.
• Learn to recognize the symptoms and
signs of CO overexposure: headache,
nausea, weakness, dizziness, visual
disturbances, changes in personality,
and loss of consciousness. Any of these
symptoms and signs can occur within
minutes of usage.
• Always place the pump and power unit
of high-pressure washers outdoors and
away from air intakes so that engine
exhaust is not drawn indoors where the
work is being done. Run only the high-
pressure wash line inside.
• Consider the use of tools powered by
electricity or compressed air if they are
available and can be used safely. For
example, electric-powered tools present
an electrocution hazard and require
specific precautions for safety.
• If compressed air is used, place the
gasoline-powered compressor outdoors
and away from air intakes so that en-
gine exhaust is not drawn indoors
where the work is being done.
• Use personal CO monitors where po-
tential sources of CO exist. These moni-
tors should be equipped with audible
alarms to warn workers when CO con-
centrations are too high.
Employers Should Also:
• Conduct a workplace survey to identify all
potential sources of CO exposure.
• Educate workers about the sources and
conditions that may result in CO poison-
ing as well as the symptoms and control
of CO exposure.
• Always substitute less hazardous
equipment if possible. Use equipment
that allows for the placement of
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
For additional information, see the complete publication entitled ALERT: Preventing
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from Small Gasoline-Powered Engines and Tools
[DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-118]. Single copies of the Alert are available free from
the following: '•
Publications Dissemination, E1D
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
4676 Columbia Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45226
Fax number: (513) 533-8573
Phone number;; 1-800-35-NIO8H (1-800-356-4674)
E-mail: pubstaft@niosdt1 .em.cdc.gov
This Alert is the joint product of a combined effort among the following agencies:
• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)
• The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-118a
£ U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1997 549-180/40041
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gasoline-powered engines outdoors at
a safe distance from air entering the
building.
• Monitor employee CO exposure to de-
termine the extent of the hazard.
Equipment Users Should Also:
• Substitute less hazardous equipment
whenever possible. Use electric tools or
tools with engines that are separate
from the tool and can be located outside
and away from air intakes.
• Learn to recognize the warning symp-
toms of CO poisoning.
• If you have any symptoms, immediately
turn off equipment and go outdoors or
to a place with uncontaminated air.
• Call 911 or another local emergency
number for medical attention or assis-
tance if symptoms occur. Do NOT drive
a motor vehicle—get someone else to
drive you to a health care facility.
• Stay away from the work area until the
tool has been deactivated and meas-
ured CO concentrations are below ac-
cepted guidelines and standards.
• Watch coworkers for the signs of CO
toxicity.
Tool Rental Agencies Should:
• Put warning labels on gasoline-powered
tools. For example:
WARNING—CARBON MONOXIDE PRO-
DUCED DURING USE CAN KILL—DO NOT
USE INDOORS OR IN OTHER SHELTERED
AREAS.
• Tell renters that gasoline-powered tools
should NOT be used indoors and ex-
plain why.
• Recommend safer tools for the intended
use if available.
• Have portable, audible CO monitors for
rent and encourage their use.
• Provide renters with educational mate-
rials like this information sheet.
Tool Manufacturers Should:
• Design tools that can be used safely
indoors.
• Provide warning labels for existing and
new gasoline-powered equipment. For ex-
ample:
WARNING—CARBON MONOXIDE PRO-
DUCED DURING USE CAN KILL—DO NOT
USE INDOORS OR IN OTHER SHELTERED
AREAS.
• Provide recommendations for equip-
ment maintenance to reduce CO
emissions.
• Recommend the use of portable, audi-
ble CO monitors with small gasoline-
powered engines.
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