Water Well Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/451364
At least 94 generator-related CO poisoning deaths occurred in 2005. Of these, 47 deaths were known to have occurred during power outages due to severe weather, including Hurricane Katrina. From 1999 through 2004, there were 439 unintentional, non-fire-related carbon monoxide poisoning deaths annually in the United States. During 1999 to 2010, a total of 5149 deaths from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning occurred in the United States, an average of 430 deaths per year. The average annual death rate from carbon monoxide poisoning for males (0.22 per 100,000 population) was more than three times higher than that for females (0.07). The death rates were highest among those 65 or older for males (0.42) and females (0.18). The rates were the lowest for males (0.08) and females (0.04) aged less than 25 years old. How Can I Protect Myself? The single most important step one can take to protect themselves from car- bon monoxide poisoning is to install quality CO detectors. These detectors should be installed at the top of each stairwell, adjacent to sleeping areas, at entryways of industrial areas, and in any garage. Detectors need to be tested periodi- cally and batteries replaced twice a year (every time you change the clocks). If your operation is going to create CO, or workers are going to encounter CO, and it's not possible to adequately ventilate the area, the use of a self- contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) could be necessary. The operation of a drilling rig often requires the rig's engine to idle through- out the day. In addition, the main operator location is directly behind the drilling rig. If the truck's exhaust is lo- cated in the rear of the vehicle, opera- tors must be aware of the CO potential and continuously monitor the area and wear personal CO body monitors to make sure they are not overexposed to CO. Even rigs with elevated exhaust can impact the operator if the winds are just right. Safe Use of Vehicles • Do not leave your car or truck run- ning in the garage, even if the garage door is open. • Do not ride in the back of a pickup truck with a camper shell. • Do not swim behind an idling boat. Safe Use of Fuel-Burning Tools and Appliances • Have all fuel-burning appliances (oil or gas heaters, stoves, water heaters, space heaters, fireplaces, and wood- stoves) inspected each year. • Check chimneys, flues, and vents regularly to make sure they are in good shape, properly connected, and not blocked. • Never use a kerosene or propane heater in an enclosed area such as a camper, motor home, trailer, or tent. • Never use a gas or charcoal grill indoors. • Never use a gas oven to heat your home. • Do not close a fireplace or stove damper before the fire is completely out. • Do not use gas-powered generators, lawn equipment, or engines in enclosed areas. Once again, carbon monoxide is a deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. The best defense against this silent killer is to be visually attentive and aware of the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, and to identify appliances that could emit carbon monoxide gas. If indoors and you suspect you've been exposed to carbon monoxide, get into fresh air immediately and seek emergency medical care! WWJ Jack Glass, CIH, CSP, QEP, CPEA, CHMM, is the principal consultant for J Tyler Scientific Co. and has more than 20 years of experience as an environmental health consultant. He has consulted on toxic exposures, risk manage- ment, and indoor air quality. In addition, he has provided litigation support in several areas including mold, asbestos, indoor air quality, and confined space entry. WWJ February 2015 43 Twitter @WaterWellJournl DACUM Codes To help meet your professional needs, this article covers skills and competencies found in DACUM charts for drillers and pump installers. DO refers to the drilling chart and PI represents the pumps chart. The letter and number immediately following is the skill on the chart covered by the article. This article covers: DOA-4, DOC-3, DOD-4, DOD-8, DOK-9, DOL-2, PIB-2, PIG-3 More information on DACUM and the charts are available at www.NGWA.org. (Deaths are 12-year annual averages; death rates are per 100,000 12-year annual average population.) Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Average Annual Number of Deaths and Death Rates from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in the United States, 1999-2010