Workers hospitalised following carbon monoxide poisoning

19 June 2006

Nine Blenheim factory workers have been hospitalised today, suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The women were working in an enclosed factory area with an LPG-powered forklift when they were overcome by carbon monoxide fumes. They were rushed to Wairau Hospital with elevated levels of carbon monoxide in their blood.

The Department of Labour has launched an investigation into the incident, and will be interviewing the hospitalised workers to determine how they were exposed.

Acting health and safety service manager for Nelson Marlborough Annette Baxter said carbon monoxide poisoning was a risk when people were working with combustion engine forklifts in areas with poor ventilation.

The Department would be looking into how this hazard was being managed.

Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning inlcude bad headaches and dizziness. High levels of carbon monoxide exposure can be fatal.

To the journalist: please note that health and safety services formerly referred to as Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) should now be referred to as the Department of Labour.