Workers' Compensation: Winter Weather Alert: Generators

Monday, December 9, 2013

Winter Weather Alert: Generators

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious issue for workers who use or are exposed to generators. As the winter storm season approaches employers and workers need to concentrate on avoiding exposures that could lead to serious illness and death in the workplace. Today's post was shared by U.S. CPSC and comes from www.cpsc.gov

Dangerous ice and snow is sweeping across the plains, south, and heading east. There are expected to be widespread power outages associated with this large storm.
Are you planning on using a portable gas generator to help you during or after the storm this week?
When dealing with severe winter weather and power outages some people take unnecessary risks. Do not take extra risks with your generator. It can be deadly. Its invisible odorless CO exhaust can kill you and your family in just minutes.
Be safe. Put your generator:

OUTSIDE! Keep it at least 20 feet* away from windows and doors.
Do NOT put generators in garages or basements. An open door does NOT provide enough ventilation to save you from deadly carbon monoxide gas.

When you use a generator, be sure to have a working CO alarm in your home. (Note: You should do this anyway.)
Finally, know the initial symptoms of CO poisoning:

Headache
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Nausea
Dizziness.

Get outside into fresh air quickly and call 911 immediately. Know what to do.
* Minimum distance recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Here’s more information on carbon monoxide.
This address for this post is: http://www.cpsc.gov/onsafety/2013/12/winter-weather-alert-generators/

[Click here to see the rest of this post]