Be vocal about ‘silent killer’ risks

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a health and safety risk that can easily slip under the radar due to the silent, odourless, often undetected threat posed by this hazard.

People lose their lives to carbon monoxide poisoning and around 4,000 people a year need emergency medical treatment. This is often due to poorly installed or maintained gas appliances in which the correct combustion process is impossible.

The Smoke and Carbo Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations of 2022 heightened awareness of the dangers, but there is still much to be done within commercial settings.

Under Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, employers must implement control measures to protect workers from hazardous substances, including carbon monoxide. They should also assess who is at risk and plan and organise the workplace to mitigate the risk. Following the Assess, Control and Review model is what the Health and Safety Executive advises. Staying silent and not briefing employees about the risk is not an option.

While it is easy to associate carbon monoxide with gas appliances or with the use of barbecues indoors or under canvas, there are other workplace sources. This includes petrol-powered or LPG-fuelled equipment used within enclosed spaces, including excavation trenches. Those refurbishing existing buildings and disrupting gas flues and ventilation systems can also face the risk.

LPG equipment should only be used where there is adequate, unblocked ventilation, and petrol generators should only be operated in well-ventilated outdoor spaces where the gas cannot drift indoors.

Indoor LPG-fuelled cookers, heaters and work equipment all need close monitoring. In general, vents and ducts that carry fumes away from a fuel source require regular inspection.

Employees should also be on the lookout for the very few signs that might signal an issue: a pilot light frequently blowing out, increased condensation on windows, yellow/orange rather than blue flames, and soot or possible yellow/brown staining around appliances. Ensuring carbon monoxide alarms are working correctly and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions is vital, and alarms should meet BS Kitemark or EN 50291 standards.

Failure to manage and control the carbon monoxide risk can lead to severe penalties and, potentially, corporate or individual manslaughter charges. Imprisonment, fines and reputational damage can all be the outcome. Incidents can easily result in loss of business and public and employee trust.

For these reasons, it is crucial to incorporate carbon monoxide risks into any risk assessment and work to mitigate the hazards posed. Referencing standards like ISo 45001 can outline areas for improvement within management systems. Ensuring IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) Managing Safely course standards are implemented is important. Creating a whole culture focused on safety will help all employees look for any signs of danger.

Staying compliant is important from an insurance perspective too, as policies might not pay out if measures to control the risk were not taken.

A Commercial Business policy will provide assistance with legal defence costs should the HSE (Health & Safety Executive) instigate an investigation and possible proceedings. However, if a fine is issued, this will not be covered and could be costly for any company.

A property policy will cover the costs associated with any damage caused by carbon monoxide, a resultant fire or an explosion, for example. Business Interruption costs may also fall for consideration under the Denial of Access extension of an insurance policy. In all cases, however, the insurer would expect to see that reasonable precautions to control the risk were implemented.

Public and Employers’ Liability policies provide indemnity if it is alleged/proven that a company has been negligent for illness suffered by employees or members of the public. Unfortunately, carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal, resulting in damages being paid to the family in excess of six figures.

The golden rule is to plan for carbon monoxide, even if you cannot smell, taste, or see it. Do that, and you will be tackling one of the most silent risks in the workplace.