We were heading into the holiday season, which meant the loading dock was busier than usual. There were twice as many forklifts going through the area.

After a few hours of loading, one of the workers started feeling lightheaded. We thought it might have been dehydration at first, but water didn’t help. And it just kept getting worse.

It took a while for any of us to realize that all those extra trucks meant we’d all been inhaling a lot of carbon monoxide.

Carbon Monoxide: An Invisible Hazard on Loading Docks

We’ve all become increasingly aware of the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure. Chances are, you even have a CO monitor in your home.

But even if you work in one, it might not occur to you that loading docks can have very high CO concentrations. That’s because carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas. You can’t see it and you can’t smell it, so it’s easy to forget it’s all around you.

But just because you can’t smell it, doesn’t mean it’s safe to breathe it in. In fact, exposure to carbon monoxide can be deadly.

That’s why it’s extremely important for all loading dock employees to understand the risks and know what they can do to keep themselves safe.

How Does Carbon Monoxide Exposure Happen?

Carbon monoxide is emitted from forklifts and the other fuel-powered trucks that frequent the loading dock. The concentration of gas in the dock area depends on a number of factors, including:

  • Number of vehicles in operation
  • Size and efficiency of their engines
  • Length of time they spend idling
  • Size and shape of the building
  • Natural ventilation (building open or closed)
  • Mechanical ventilation (like power exhaust fans)

Most loading docks are enclosed. Without sufficient ventilation it’s easy for CO emissions to build up quickly and endanger the health and lives of the employees who work in that area.

Employer Responsibilities

OSHA standards require employers to take an active role in addressing any known threats to employee safety – and carbon monoxide is certainly one of those threats.

The primary responsibility for the employer is developing a comprehensive health and safety plan to control CO exposure. This plan should detail:

  • The factors contributing to CO in the loading dock
  • Steps to control the hazards and mitigate risk
  • Who is responsible for implementing these controls
  • How information will be communicated to loading dock workers and supervisors

Worker training is also important for being proactive in addressing this issue. By teaching employees about the hazard and how to manage it, you’re empowering them to take their health into their own hands. It also encourages them to look out for one another.

Consider putting up signs or posters advising workers about the CO hazard, noting the symptoms of CO poisoning, and outlining the steps they can take to decrease emissions and limit their exposure in the loading dock area.

Safety Tips for Employees

First, understand the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. The first signs are:

If you drive a lift truck, you can minimize emissions by:

  • Turning off the vehicle instead of leaving it idle
  • Performing routine inspections and maintenance tasks on the vehicle
  • Reporting concerns about engine efficiency to your supervisor

Ventilation is also incredibly important. If needed, open the dock bay doors to let air circulate after lift trucks have been running for a while.

If anyone appears to be showing symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure, ask your supervisor to call a break so everyone can clear the area until the CO dissipates and it’s safe to work again.

Conclusion

Every employee plays a role in reducing emissions in the loading dock area. A combination of good work practices, administrative controls, and training will ensure that your employees get the job done safely and your loading dock remains free of harmful concentrations of carbon monoxide.