How to Control the Risks from Carbon Monoxide in the Workplace

The dangers of carbon monoxide shouldn’t be ignored. The HSE states around seven people die annually from carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur in ordinary places of work.

From boilers to forklifts, if you own fossil fuel-based equipment, you must ensure these are free from deadly CO emissions. Not only is it part of your duty of care to your staff, it extends to anyone connected to your working environment.

Any sign of neglect can lead to irrecoverable costs for your business. It’s not just ill-health; employers could end up facing financial penalties, property closure, and even criminal prosecution in more serious cases.

In this guide, we’ll look at what carbon monoxide is, who’s at risk of exposure, and how to protect your people from this lethal emission.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, tasteless, odourless gas that’s emitted when fossil fuels burn without sufficient oxygen. Carbon-based fuels that produce CO include:

Natural gas.
Oil.
Petrol.
Diesel.
Coal.
Wood.
Propane.
Kerosene oil.

Most combustion processes (natural or man-made) emit some levels of carbon monoxide. It’s even used to make other chemicals, like methanol or phosgene. However, when these fuels aren’t burnt or managed properly, excess carbon monoxide is formed.

Is carbon monoxide poisonous?

Yes, carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that can be lethal for anyone who’s exposed to high levels of emissions.

When a person breathes in carbon monoxide, it enters the bloodstream through the lungs. The toxin attaches itself to the body’s oxygen barrier, or haemoglobin. It reduces the amount of oxygen carried around the body. In the end, it can permanently damage cells, tissues, and organs.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Depending on the level of exposure, the first initial symptoms found through carbon monoxide poisoning include dizziness, headaches, fatigue, nausea, and breathlessness.

If exposure is regular or of significant levels, people could suffer from vomiting, muscle weakness, stomach pains, visual issues, and loss of consciousness.

In the most serious cases, CO poisoning can cause paralysis, organ damage, and even death – which can happen quickly and without warning.

What causes carbon monoxide exposure at work?

From office-spaces to manufacturing plants, carbon monoxide exposure can happen within all kinds of workplaces. It’s not limited to one industry – take a look at the common causes for CO exposure in the workplace:

Poor or incorrect installation of gas boilers or central heating systems.
Exhaust fumes from cars and other vehicles.
Inadequate or missing ventilation systems.
Incorrect work practices for burning carbon-based fuels.
Unclean or blocked chimneys.
Using certain types of aerosols or paint.

Which industries are at a higher risk of carbon monoxide?

Some business industries are arguably at a higher risk of carbon monoxide exposure compared to others. However, that doesn’t mean CO poisoning can’t be found in your workplace. The leading industries for carbon monoxide exposure include:

Transportation: Affecting vehicle drivers, traffic police, or toll booth workers.

Industrial: Affecting welders, mechanics, and construction workers.

Food and hospitality: Affecting chefs who use charcoal grills and indoor barbecues.

Emergency responders: Affecting firefighters, police, and first aid responders.

Are some workers at a higher risk of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Fundamentally, anyone can become subject to carbon monoxide poisoning. However, in a workplace setting, you might find some members of your team who are at a higher risk of exposure compared to others:

where it’s hard for oxygen to be delivered to organs, like the heart or brain, are more vulnerable. Illnesses can include asthma, angina, anaemia, and coronary heart disease. Such cases are often seen in older employees.

Pregnant women are also at a higher risk of CO exposure. During pregnancy, increased levels of CO can reduce oxygen reaching the baby in the womb – impacting its growth and development.

What is the law on carbon monoxide?

The Control of Substance Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) states employers have a legal duty to manage the risks of harmful substances, like carbon monoxide, within their workplaces.

If CO poisoning is a potential risk to your employees or anyone found on your work premises, you must take reasonable steps towards controlling it as much as possible. For example, conducting to ensure all gas equipment and locations are monitored properly. We've also created a free risk assessment template for you to download and use when required.

Without proper management, employers could end up causing serious medical issues for those in direct exposure, even death. Negligence leaves businesses facing unlimited compensation and even closure. You could end up facing criminal prosecution for non-compliance with COSHH regulations.

What should you do if your equipment is producing carbon monoxide?

If you discover a piece of equipment or location that’s producing carbon monoxide, you should:

Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
Switch off the equipment and shut off the gas supply at the meter control valve.
Open all doors and windows to ventilate the area.
Visit a GP or healthcare professional (for those who were in direct contact with CO emissions).

How can you protect yourself from carbon monoxide?

Under your duty of care, employers must take reasonable measures towards protecting people from carbon monoxide. This form of legal protection applies to anyone connected to your work premises, like employees, customers, and the public.

Any work equipment that uses fossil fuels must be regularly serviced by a qualified and registered engineer. This includes:

Gas Safe Registers (for gas-based appliances).
HETAS (for solid fuel-based appliances).
OFTEX (for oil-based appliances)

Ventilation systems, like chimneys and flues, must be clean, unobstructed, and professionally swept at least once a year.

Employers must fit audible carbon monoxide alarms where gas appliances are used. These must be fitted in appropriate locations and serviced regularly.

Is carbon monoxide exposure higher in winter?

Yes, carbon monoxide exposure is arguably higher during the winter season compared to any other time of the year.

That’s because we often keep windows and doors shut, which means small amounts of CO can’t disperse properly. If the gas accumulates, it could reach toxic levels – leading to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Boilers and generators are regularly used during winter, too. If these aren’t maintained properly, they could lead to higher levels of carbon monoxide pollution throughout the colder season.

How to conduct a carbon monoxide risk assessment

No matter what business industry you’re in, you’ll most likely own equipment that emits carbon monoxide (CO). This colourless, tasteless, odourless gas is produced from fossil fuels used to power things like boilers and barbeques, to construction machinery and petroleum generators.

Employers have a legal duty of care to manage the serious risks related to carbon monoxide emissions found in your workplace. Without proper risk assessments in place, you could end up facing compensation fines, business closure, and even criminal prosecution.

Why not contact one of our expert H&S consultants for more advice on protecting your workplace from dangerous gases like carbon monoxide. Before that, let’s take a look at how to conduct a carbon monoxide risk assessment for your workplace. We've also created a free risk assessment template for you to download and use when required.

Step 1: Identify and assess

The first part of your risk assessment is identifying all work equipment and tasks where carbon monoxide is present. This includes finding where the gas is made and to what level. Some areas to assess include:

Petrol-powered devices: For example, cut-off saws, generators, or even . (This particularly applies to equipment used in indoor or enclosed spaces, like trenches or excavations).

Liquified petroleum gas (LPG): For example, heaters or cookers used in hospitality and care industries.

Gas and ventilation systems: For example, boilers or gas flues which can be found across a number of business sites.

Step 2: Prevent

The next part of assessment is to prevent the risks of carbon monoxide. For example, if your business uses petrol-powered equipment, try switching to electrical tools as a safer alternative.

Petrol-powered appliances must never be used indoors or in enclosed areas where proper ventilation systems are missing. It’s best to seek further advice from a health & safety professional to pinpoint these issues for you.

Further preventative measures when using carbon monoxide-linked equipment include:

Placing petrol generators outside in well-ventilated areas. (This allows CO fumes to disperse rather than gather ).
Ensuring all gas-fired systems are maintained well during any refurbishment projects.
Follow regular maintenance for all gas flue systems within your work sites.

Step 3: Control

At this stage, you’ll have identified all equipment or areas that may produce elements of carbon monoxide. Employers must take reasonable steps towards controlling them. For example:

Ventilation: Make sure equipment or facilities have access to proper ventilation. This includes gas equipment that produce CO at low and high levels.

Detectors: Check all CO or oxygen detectors are fully working and are located in appropriate areas.

Installation: Assign a competent person to carry out installation for all LPG/gas systems. Gas work that’s done in homes or certain commercial buildings must be completed by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Other risks: Consider other potential risks associated with CO or other poisonous gases. It’s also important to think about risks related to fires and explosions that can occur when using gas equipment.

Step 4: Review

The last step in your carbon monoxide risk assessment is reviewing. Employers must ensure their workers are fully trained and qualified to use gas equipment correctly.

Supervisors should promote safe working practices during everyday tasks, as well as implement control measures for managing carbon monoxide emissions correctly.

As mentioned, you can assign all these responsibilities to your competent person to manage; or even hire an external professional to take over. However, carbon monoxide exposure is a serious risk. It’s your job as an employer to stay on top of this deadly gas and properly manage these emissions continuously.

Get expert advice on carbon monoxide risk assessments with Peninsula

Carbon monoxide is a silent killer and can cause serious ill-health and even death instantly. That’s why it’s crucial to monitor and maintain all work equipment and locations that creates carbon monoxide emissions.

Peninsula provides expert advice on carbon monoxide risk assessments. We offer 24-hour H&S advice – ensuring your workplace manages CO and other toxicities the correct way. We've also created a free risk assessment template for you to download and use when required.

Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a free consultation with one of our Health and Safety consultants today.

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