Inspection Detail

Inspection: 107709438 - The Megasack Corp., Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Little Rock Area Office

Investigation Summary

Sometime between 7:15 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 1992, an employee had operated a gas-powered Yale lift truck for about 20 minutes in the production area of a plant, transporting fabric to the fabric cutting area. The doors were closed and there was no ventilation to the outside. As employees came to work at 8:00 a.m., they noticed an odor from the forklift operation. Around 9:00 a.m., several people started complaining about headaches and nausea. Around 11:00 a.m., the forklift was used again for approximately 15 to 20 minutes to transport material. Again, the doors to the building were left closed. Between 11:35 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. most of the employees experienced symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure and went outside to get fresh air. Between 1:00 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. the forklift operator became dizzy; he was later found unconscious on the floor in his work area. Between 1:20 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., the employees were told to clock out and, if experiencing headaches, dizziness, or upset stomachs, to go to the hospital. Of the 14 employees who were exposed, 10 were hospitalized for treatment and observation and three were treated at the hospital and released. The diagnosis was acute carbon monoxide poisoning.

Keywords: OXYGEN DEFICIENCY, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, VENTILATION, HEADACHE, INHALATION, NAUSEA, INDUSTRIAL TRUCK, EXHAUST FUMES, OVEREXPOSURE, CARBON MONOXIDE