Bartell Global T-5500 PRO Owner's Manual page 17

RIDE-ON SCRAPER
OWNER'S MANUAL AND
PARTS BOOK
1. What is Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, and is a common industrial
hazard. Mild poisoning can cause such symptoms as nausea, dizziness, or headaches while
severe poisoning can result in brain or heart damage, or even death. The incomplete
burning of any material containing carbon, such as gasoline, natural gas, oil, propane, coal,
or wood, produces this poisonous gas. Forges, blast furnaces, and coke ovens all produce
CO, but one of the most common sources of exposure in the workplace is the internal
combustion engine.
Be suspicious of CO poisoning if you develop dizziness, a flushed face, headaches, or
general weakness. Although CO is itself odorless, it may mix with other gases that do have
an odor. Therefore, be aware that the smell of other gases does not automatically exclude
the presence of CO.
2. Are You Likely to Be Poisoned?
If you have a heart condition, your condition may be aggravated by CO exposure. Ingestion
of barbiturates or alcohol may increase the effects of CO exposure. Smokers have a higher
carboxyhemoglobin than non-smokers, and therefore face a greater risk of CO exposure on
the job.
Harmful levels of CO are a potential danger to acetylene workers, blast furnace workers,
boiler room workers, brewery workers, carbon black makers, coke oven workers, diesel
engine operators, dock workers, garage mechanics, metal oxide reducers, miners, organic
chemical synthesizers, petroleum refinery workers, pulp and paper workers, steel workers,
toll booth and tunnel attendants, and warehouse workers.
3. What Are the Symptoms?
Large amounts of CO can kill in minutes. The more CO in the air and the longer you are
exposed to it, the greater the danger. Any one or more of the following symptoms can signal
CO poisoning: headaches, tightness across the chest, nausea, drowsiness, inattention, or
fatigue. As the amount of CO in the air increases, symptoms that are more serious may
develop such as lack of coordination, weakness, and confusion.
The poisoning can be reversed if caught in time. However, even if you recover, acute
poisoning can result in permanent damage to the parts of the body that require oxygen,
such as the heart and brain. There s a significant reproductive risk involved with CO. An
American Journal of Industrial Medicine article quotes two studies showing that acute CO
exposures that were non-lethal to the mother were associated with fetal loss.
4. What Can You Do About CO?
If you suspect CO, get out of the area and into the open fresh air. Remove anyone
overcome by the gas immediately and give the person artificial respiration. Call for a doctor
and continue the artificial respiration until the doctor arrives or the person recovers. Prompt
action can make the difference between life and death.
5. Employers
 Install an effective ventilation system to remove poisonous CO from the area.
16
OIPB-I12030