Construction workers face difficult job conditions. Cold, rain, sleet, snow – nothing stops a construction site when a deadline is looming. Not surprisingly, New York and New Jersey construction workers usually work straight through the cold, snowy winter months when work is available. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration wants to make sure that all workers, including construction workers, take necessary precautions against carbon monoxide exposure during the winter months.
According to a warning issued by OSHA, a January 2013 incident exemplifies the dangers of carbon monoxide exposure:
“Recently, a worker in a New England warehouse was found unconscious and seizing, suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. Several other workers at the site also became sick. All of the windows and doors were closed to conserve heat, there was no exhaust ventilation in the facility, and very high levels of carbon monoxide were measured at the site.”
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas that is found naturally in many environments. It also occurs as a byproduct when fuel-burning equipment is used — something that is frequently the case on a construction site. During the warmer months, the risks associated with fuel-burning equipment are reduced because the equipment is typically used outdoors, meaning that carbon monoxide dissipates without harming workers. In the winter, however, construction workers often move equipment indoors or into tents or other semi-permanent structures. These enclosed spaces can produce a serious, even fatal, risk of carbon monoxide poisoning because the gas is trapped inside the confined space.
In an effort to keep out the cold and wind, construction workers often create the perfect circumstances for carbon monoxide poisoning. OSHA urges employers and workers to monitor situations where fuel-burning equipment is used and to provide ventilation even if that means letting in some cold air. In addition, ventilation should be provided where space heaters, compressors, pumps and other combustion equipment are used.
If you work around potential sources of carbon monoxide, be sure to monitor yourself and fellow workers for symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion
- Blurred vision
- Loss of consciousness
If you are concerned about the possibility that you have been exposed to carbon monoxide, seek medical treatment immediately and report the exposure to your employer.
If you have suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning, or any other type of workplace accident, you could be entitled to third-party compensation in lieu of, or in addition to, workers’ compensation. All too often, workers’ compensation benefits fail to adequately compensate the victim of a construction accident. Furthermore, there is a chance that someone other than your own employer may have contributed to your injuries
Contact the New York/New Jersey construction accident attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P., to find out what legal options you may have. Contact the firm today by calling 888-446-2783 or filling out our online contact form for your free consultation.