WorkSafe issues safety alert after two workers suffer carbon monoxide poisoning in cool room

NT WorkSafe is warning about the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning when using fuel-powered (petrol/LPG/Diesel) forklifts in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.

The safety regulator issued the alert after two workers suffered carbon monoxide poisoning while working in a cool room. Workers were using an LPG fuelled forklift in the cool room.

“There is a requirement under the work health and safety laws to limit a worker’s exposure to carbon monoxide. The workplace exposure standard for carbon monoxide is 30 ppm averaged over eight hours,” WorkSafe states in the alert.

The safety regulator lists a number of possible contributing factors including a poorly ventilated cool room, carbon monoxide produced by the forklift and working in the cool room for hours.

For more information, go to the NT WorkSafe website.