The New Zealand Department of Labour will visit 100 major hirers and sellers of forklifts within the next couple of months to raise awareness of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when fuel-powered forklifts are used in poorly ventilated areas like cool stores.
The visits will ensure that hirers and sellers are aware of the risk, and that they are warning their customers about it. (WCxKit)
“Carbon monoxide can kill without warning,” says the Departments Chief Adviser Health and Safety, Dr Geraint Emrys.
“The gas can quickly build up when fuel-powered forklifts are used in confined spaces or where there is poor ventilation. People can be overcome without realizing they have been exposed to it.
“Carbon monoxide is the most common form of poisoning in New Zealand workplaces and in recent years there have been a number of cases where groups of employees have suffered from the buildup of the gas in warehouses and cool stores.”
According to officials, those selling and hiring out forklifts have a legal responsibility to tell their customers about the dangers of carbon monoxide
“If customers intend to use their forklifts in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces then the first option hirers and sellers should suggest is an electric-powered forklift. This eliminates any risk of poisoning,” Dr Emrys continued. (WCxKit)
“If this isn’t possible and a fuel-powered forklift is to be used, the customer should be informed that they will need to put in place a safety plan to prevent poisoning. This plan should cover things like information and training for staff, restricting use of the forklift in poorly ventilated areas, keeping them tuned to reduce emissions and installing carbon monoxide alarms,” Dr. Emrys added.
Author Rebecca Shafer, JD, President of Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. is a national expert in the field of workers compensation. She is a writer, speaker and website publisher. Her expertise is working with employers to reduce workers compensation costs, and her clients include airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing.
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