TOOLBOX TALKS

GENERAL SAFETY - CO (CARBONMONOKSIT)

Carbon monoxide, which is formed as a result of inefficient combustion, is a colorless and odorless gas. In the
industry, it mostly occurs as a result of the operation of gas or diesel pressure washers, air compressors,
forklifts and petroleum-fueled machines.

The chemical structure of CO is that an oxygen molecule is attached to a carbon molecule. CO kills by binding
to hemoglobin in the blood. The affinity of CO for hemoglobin is hundreds of times greater than the always
available oxygen. The amount of oxygen in the air is 200000 ppm. (20%) This is why a small amount of CO
binds to a very large amount of hemoglobin. This reduces the amount of oxygen going to the tissues. In the end,
you die by suffocation due to lack of oxygen.
What does this mean for employees? Effects of CO on workers:

 Mild headache and dizziness

 Nausea
 Relaxation crash
 Loss of consciousness
 Death

The CO level is set by OSHA at 50 ppm for 8 hours (0.005%). This is actually a very small value. To
understand this measure, consider a room large enough to hold 1 million ice cubes and take 50 cubes from this
room. This intake (50 per million!!) is the maximum amount of CO that can be exposed for 8 hours allowed by
OSHA.

What should be done in order not to be exposed to the harms of CO?

1. Check the work area, eliminate the combustion welding machines, prevent the exhaust gases from coming
into the room.

2. Ventilate, ventilate, ventilate!!

3. Take frequent CO measurements in the working environment. Observe the workers for any symptoms of the
CO effect.

4. Educate workers about the effects of CO.