1) A film crew experienced carbon monoxide poisoning during a shoot in an underground parkade where the ventilation system was disabled and older vehicles were being used. One worker became unconscious and two others felt ongoing symptoms.
2) An investigation found contributing factors included poorly maintained vehicles that emitted more CO, a generator with a faulty choke, and deficiencies in the parkade ventilation system.
3) Employers must consider safety during planning, use well-maintained equipment, conduct exposure assessments, monitor air quality, and implement exposure control plans when needed to prevent CO poisoning.
1) A film crew experienced carbon monoxide poisoning during a shoot in an underground parkade where the ventilation system was disabled and older vehicles were being used. One worker became unconscious and two others felt ongoing symptoms.
2) An investigation found contributing factors included poorly maintained vehicles that emitted more CO, a generator with a faulty choke, and deficiencies in the parkade ventilation system.
3) Employers must consider safety during planning, use well-maintained equipment, conduct exposure assessments, monitor air quality, and implement exposure control plans when needed to prevent CO poisoning.
1) A film crew experienced carbon monoxide poisoning during a shoot in an underground parkade where the ventilation system was disabled and older vehicles were being used. One worker became unconscious and two others felt ongoing symptoms.
2) An investigation found contributing factors included poorly maintained vehicles that emitted more CO, a generator with a faulty choke, and deficiencies in the parkade ventilation system.
3) Employers must consider safety during planning, use well-maintained equipment, conduct exposure assessments, monitor air quality, and implement exposure control plans when needed to prevent CO poisoning.
1) A film crew experienced carbon monoxide poisoning during a shoot in an underground parkade where the ventilation system was disabled and older vehicles were being used. One worker became unconscious and two others felt ongoing symptoms.
2) An investigation found contributing factors included poorly maintained vehicles that emitted more CO, a generator with a faulty choke, and deficiencies in the parkade ventilation system.
3) Employers must consider safety during planning, use well-maintained equipment, conduct exposure assessments, monitor air quality, and implement exposure control plans when needed to prevent CO poisoning.
NOTE: The numbering of the Workers Compensation Act has changed, effective April 6, 2020. See worksafebc.com/wca2019.
WorkSafe Bulletin Carbon monoxide exposure during film shoots A film crew was conducting a film shoot in an underground parkade using several operating motor vehicles, as well as theatrical fog. The parkade ventilation system was disabled for the shoot. One worker felt ill and tried to exit the parkade. The worker was later found unconscious and was taken to hospital by ambulance. The following day, two other workers reported to hospital with ongoing symptoms related to carbon monoxide exposure. The affected workers reported that they experienced symptoms that worsened progressively on the night of the film shoot. Their symptoms included nausea, dizziness, and headache, and progressed to disorientation, fatigue, and loss of consciousness.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odourless,
invisible gas that is a product of combustion. When inhaled, CO blocks the body’s ability to absorb oxygen. Workers may not know they are in danger until it’s too late. Headache and nausea are the first symptoms. Unconsciousness and death can follow from prolonged exposure to high concentrations. CO is a reproductive toxin, which means it can harm a developing fetus. During a film shoot involving older model vehicles in a parkade, workers For this reason, CO is also a designated experienced symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure. toxic substance, meaning that it can have serious, irreversible effects on human In the incident described at the beginning of this health. As a result, CO comes with a set of bulletin, the film shoot included the use of older specific rules governing worker exposure. model vehicles, including motorcycles, a pickup truck, and an ambulance. Theatrical fog (propylene Ideally, employers would eliminate exposure glycol-based) was used to create visual effects. altogether. When elimination is not feasible, employers must ensure any worker exposure levels WorkSafeBC’s investigation found that the following are kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) factors contributed to the workers’ CO exposure: below the exposure limit. Commonly, this applies • A pickup truck was in poor mechanical condition. when working indoors or in enclosed spaces with It was tuned to run rich, potentially increasing operating motor vehicles, generators, or other CO emissions in the exhaust. sources of combustion.
WorkSafeBC Prevention Information Line: 604.276.3100
WS 2017-06 page 1 of 3 or toll-free 1.888.621.SAFE (7233) • A food truck, which used a propane-powered may be required if qualified in-house personnel generator, was at times parked in an indoor are unavailable. loading bay where workers may have been exposed to the exhaust. The generator had a Train everyone on the crew faulty choke. This made the generator run rich, Adequately train supervisors to make sure that they: likely increasing CO concentrations in the exhaust. • Know the sections of the Workers Compensation • The parkade’s ventilation system had several Act and the Occupational Health and Safety deficiencies. At least one exhaust fan wasn’t Regulation that apply to their work. working, and the CO sensors were three years • Make their workers aware of all known past due for servicing. It’s unclear whether the or reasonably foreseeable health and safety ventilation system was set up to adequately hazards. protect workers occupying the parkade for extended periods of time. • Ensure the health and safety of workers under their supervision. • The parkade’s ventilation system was disabled and exhaust fans were shut down for extended • Investigate reports of unsafe conditions periods of time to eliminate noise during filming. immediately, including symptoms of overexposure to air contaminants, and take • The film shoot proceeded despite growing necessary corrective actions without delay. concerns from workers about the air quality in the parkade and its effects on their health and safety. Adequately train workers to ensure that they: • Know the hazards they may be exposed to, While theatrical fog may produce CO under unusual and how to protect themselves. operating conditions, internal combustion engines were the main sources of CO in this incident. • Know of their right to refuse unsafe work. • Know of their responsibility to: What employers must do to prevent • Report unsafe conditions (including air similar incidents contaminants) to a supervisor or the employer. Build safety into the planning stage • Report symptoms of air contaminant exposure to first aid and their supervisor. Adequately consider and plan for the safety of workers before conducting a film shoot. Where workers may be exposed to CO, such This includes putting a system in place to as from vehicle exhaust, workers must be made do the following: aware of:
• Identify potential hazards (for example, hazardous • The hazards and symptoms of CO exposure substances such as vehicle exhaust). • How to control their exposure • Assess the risk posed by those hazards. Use well-maintained equipment • Ensure that effective controls are in place to Maintain equipment, including vehicles and ensure worker safety. Consider if risks could gas- or propane-powered generators, in safe be controlled by elimination or substitution. operating condition. When using such equipment, For example, in this case, is substituting do the following: CO-producing equipment with electric or cleaner-running equipment possible? • Regularly inspect equipment and take corrective actions or make repairs if deficiencies are • Ensure that qualified persons participate in this identified. process. The services of professional consultants
page 2 of 3 • Ensure that exhaust emissions are minimized, • Coordination of work activities among particularly when the equipment is used indoors all employers, workers, and others at the or in enclosed spaces. This typically requires workplace, including trades and sub-trades. emissions testing. • A supported and well-functioning joint health • Keep records of equipment maintenance and safety committee. Keep in mind that the and testing. Review these records before using work of the committee does not replace the duty the equipment. of the employer, managers, and supervisors to ensure the health and safety of workers under Manage exposure their supervision. Where internal combustion engines are operated indoors or in enclosed spaces, do the following: For more information • Conduct an assessment of the work area to WorkSafeBC resources determine the potential for worker exposure • Carbon monoxide page to harmful air contaminants in the exhaust. • Carbon monoxide in industry • Regularly monitor the air for unsafe concentrations of CO. Workers Compensation Act Assessment and monitoring will typically require • Section 115, General duties of employers the services of a qualified professional (i.e., an • Section 117, General duties of supervisors industrial hygienist or similar). The assessment will determine the risk to workers and identify • Section 118, Coordination at multiple-employer appropriate controls that must be implemented workplaces to ensure worker health and safety. • Section 135, Educational leave Where a risk of worker exposure to carbon • Section 136, Other employer obligations monoxide has been identified, and in order to support committee to meet ALARA requirements, implement an exposure control plan (ECP). An ECP is an Occupational Health and Safety Regulation employer-developed plan that sets out a detailed and Guidelines approach to protecting workers from harmful • Section 3.5, General requirement exposure to certain substances. By identifying the (for workplace inspections) hazards, and by monitoring and controlling the • Section 3.10, Reporting unsafe conditions assessed risks, exposure can be minimized or even eliminated. For more information on ECPs, see • Section 4.11, Startup OHS Guideline G5.54-1. (of equipment, machinery or work processes) • Section 5.53, Workplace monitoring Ensure compliance, coordinate work activities, and support the joint health • Section 5.54, Exposure control plan and safety committee • Guideline G5.54-1, Exposure control plan Finally, a safe film shoot depends on employers • Section 5.57 Designated substances having effective systems in place to ensure the following: • Section 5.73, Indoor operation (of internal combustion engines) • Compliance with the Act and the Regulation.
