Occupational Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in the State of Washington, 1994-1999

Abstract

Carbon monoxide poisonings continue to be significant and preventable for a number of work operations. This study assesses occupational carbon monoxide morbidity and mortality for the state of Washington based on a review of workers' compensation records for the years 1994-1999. The study characterizes sources, industries, and causative factors, and further attempts to identify work operations most at risk. Records were identified by both injury source and diagnostic codes. The study limits itself to non-fire-related carbon monoxide poisonings and primarily those from acute exposure. A decline in the number of claims was not evident, but the number of incidents per year showed a slight decline. Carbon monoxide poisonings were found to occur throughout all types of industries. The greatest number of claims was found in agriculture, followed by construction and wholesale trade, with these three accounting for more than half the claims and nearly half of the incidents. The more severe poisonings did not necessarily occur in industries with the greatest number of incidents. The major source for carbon monoxide poisoning was forklift trucks, followed by auto/truck/bus, portable saws, and more than 20 other sources. Fruit packing and storage had the highest number of incidents mostly due to fuel-powered forklift activity, with nearly half of the incidents occurring in cold rooms. Adverse health effects as measured by carboxyhemoglobin, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, unconsciousness, and number and cost of claims were indexed by source. Though several specific work operations were identified, the episodic nature of carbon monoxide poisonings, as well as the diverse industries and sources, and the opportunity for a severe poisoning in any number of operations, poses challenges for effective intervention.

Occupational Carbon Monoxide Violations in the State of Washington, 1994-1999

“…(3) Only accepted CO claims with injury dates between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 1999 were used.…”

“…CO claim incident data was obtained from another study covering the same time period. (3) CO claim incidents were distributed more evenly among major industries than COV inspections. Fewest inspections and claim incidents were found in nance, insurance, and real estate.…”

“…The data are also compared with data collected in a companion study of the state's industrial insurance records for CO-related claims over the same time period. (3) …”

“…(10¡12) Lower exposures not usually associated with acute poisoning can have more subtle neurobehavioral changes and lessen work capacity. (13) Preventing the harmful affects of CO in the workplace has received much attention in the literature and by various agencies and institutions over the years, (3) including federal and state Occupational Safety and Health Administrations (OSHA). OSHA agencies have acted to prevent the harmful affects of CO through the enforcement of standards relating to the control of CO exposure.…”

“…A number of sources responsible for CO poisoning have been identi ed and the potential for excessive exposure exists in every major industry. (3) CO can cause harmful affects depending on the air concentrations and length of exposure. Acute CO poisoning is associated with headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and, at higher doses, neurological damage and death.…”