Working in confined spaces
Exhaust emissions from forklift trucks operating in confined spaces can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless and poisonous gas. Precautions must be taken when forklift trucks are used in confined spaces such as cold rooms and freezers to ensure exposure to toxic levels are kept as low as possible.
Ways to control hazards
- Use electric forklift trucks instead of fuel or LP gas-powered types.
- Fit a catalytic converter to fuel or LP gas powered type to catalytically oxidise carbon monoxide to the less toxic gas carbon dioxide.
- Fit fuel control devices, to maintain an acceptable fuel-air ratio, and check them daily. Monitor fuel usage rates to detect variations in the fuel-air ratio.
- Use exhaust gas analysers as an aid during regular engine tuning.
- Monitor and record carbon monoxide levels around workers. Personal or area monitoring can be undertaken.
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