Placing forklifts on a regular maintenance schedule, ensuring tuning and service is administered.Replacement of older propane powered forklifts for newer models.Ensuring air exchange is occurring within the warehouse and office area.If carbon monoxide levels are suspected to be high, take precautions to lower the levels, including: High levels are subject to a written citation and compliance schedule to fix the problem quickly. Later, the officer would return to review PPM over a T.W.A of 8 hours. An OSHA officer may visit later with PPM meters to hang in the facility. When a person visits a hospital and a blood gas test shows CO poisoning, the hospital is required to report the findings. If the warehouse or facility is small or doesn’t have sufficient air exchange for the number of operating lifts trucks, illegal T.W.A. This level refers to the air within the building, not the CO percentage coming out of the forklift’s tailpipe. OSHA CFR 1910 states CO exposure levels cannot exceed 50 Parts per Million (PPM) over a Time-Weighted Average (T.W.A.) for an 8-hour period. A tremendous air exchange would have to occur to keep the CO levels within OSHA compliance. This output would produce CO levels at 20,000 – 40,000 PPM. If the forklift is an older model or poorly maintained, the tailpipe output percentage could be as high as 2-4%. This results in 5,000 Parts per Million (PPM). 5% CO exhaust gas concentration when tested at its tailpipe. An older forklift – no matter how well tuned and serviced – produces higher output percentages compared to a newer forklift’s engine.Ī recent model of a propane powered forklift will produce as low as. However, the levels can be greatly affected by dirty air filters, engines needing tuning and fuel systems requiring service or adjustment. It’s easy to forget propane powered forklifts produce carbon monoxide gas because the output is normally very low. Concentration levels in the human body build slowly over time exposure continues, resulting in carbon monoxide poisoning. Even low exposures to this gas can affect an employee, diminishing the blood’s capability to deliver oxygen to the body and vital organs. When equipment is propane powered, carbon monoxide levels can build inside the warehouse or office area.Ĭarbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating gas. However, production continues to run for the forklifts. Doors, windows and vents are closed and air exchanges systems are shut down. CONTACT PROLIFTĪs the weather cools, companies become diligent about keeping heating costs down. Is it time to replace your older forklift? Contact ProLift to speak to an equipment specialist about available used forklifts.
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