Carbon Monoxide Safety Risks

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Overview:

Carbon monoxide (CO) exposures are a persistent risk in our safety system. In the past five years there have been nine fatalities in British Columbia as a result of CO exposure, a fatality rate of about two per year.

In April 2020, Technical Safety BC commissioned a study to determine Canadians’ awareness, attitudes, and behaviours related to CO. Some of the findings included:

  • Fewer than 1-in-5 Canadians are ‘very knowledgeable’ about carbon monoxide
  • Only 1-in-2 Canadians have checked to ensure their carbon monoxide alarms are working properly in the last year
  • 3-in-10 Canadians are not sure of the potential sources of carbon monoxide in their home
  • 38% of Canadians are unaware that carbon monoxide alarms have expiry dates and need to be replaced according to the manufacturer’s expiry date
  • 71% of Canadians either do not know the signs of carbon monoxide buildup in their home or are unsure what the signs are

On June 27, 2020 fatal exposure to carbon monoxide resulted in the death of one person and critically injured another. This incident occurred in a recreational cabin in Egmont on the Sunshine Coast.

Another serious carbon monoxide incident took place on August 3, 2020 in Tulameen. This led to the death of two people.

Both incidents occurred on recreational properties where the owners had completed their own installations of propane-burning appliances.

In partnership with key stakeholders, Technical Safety BC developed and executed a six-month education and awareness campaign to improve awareness of CO risks in British Columbia. In 2020, Technical Safety BC ran two carbon monoxide awareness campaigns and launched a supporting course and webinar materials to help educate the general public. Designed for gas industry workers, the online course covers the characteristics of carbon monoxide, how it is produced, and outlines the ways in which gas workers can prevent CO risks.

How to get involved:

Step 1: Join the discussion threads below and provide feedback

Step 2: Register below and attend our Core Connections breakout session on May 27th

Step 3: Stay informed and follow this page


Attend our Core Connections breakout session - Carbon Monoxide Safety Risks

Carbon monoxide remains a severe threat to British Columbians. Join us as we take a deep dive into CO incident investigation findings.

Register today: Join the conversation

Overview:

Carbon monoxide (CO) exposures are a persistent risk in our safety system. In the past five years there have been nine fatalities in British Columbia as a result of CO exposure, a fatality rate of about two per year.

In April 2020, Technical Safety BC commissioned a study to determine Canadians’ awareness, attitudes, and behaviours related to CO. Some of the findings included:

  • Fewer than 1-in-5 Canadians are ‘very knowledgeable’ about carbon monoxide
  • Only 1-in-2 Canadians have checked to ensure their carbon monoxide alarms are working properly in the last year
  • 3-in-10 Canadians are not sure of the potential sources of carbon monoxide in their home
  • 38% of Canadians are unaware that carbon monoxide alarms have expiry dates and need to be replaced according to the manufacturer’s expiry date
  • 71% of Canadians either do not know the signs of carbon monoxide buildup in their home or are unsure what the signs are

On June 27, 2020 fatal exposure to carbon monoxide resulted in the death of one person and critically injured another. This incident occurred in a recreational cabin in Egmont on the Sunshine Coast.

Another serious carbon monoxide incident took place on August 3, 2020 in Tulameen. This led to the death of two people.

Both incidents occurred on recreational properties where the owners had completed their own installations of propane-burning appliances.

In partnership with key stakeholders, Technical Safety BC developed and executed a six-month education and awareness campaign to improve awareness of CO risks in British Columbia. In 2020, Technical Safety BC ran two carbon monoxide awareness campaigns and launched a supporting course and webinar materials to help educate the general public. Designed for gas industry workers, the online course covers the characteristics of carbon monoxide, how it is produced, and outlines the ways in which gas workers can prevent CO risks.

How to get involved:

Step 1: Join the discussion threads below and provide feedback

Step 2: Register below and attend our Core Connections breakout session on May 27th

Step 3: Stay informed and follow this page


Attend our Core Connections breakout session - Carbon Monoxide Safety Risks

Carbon monoxide remains a severe threat to British Columbians. Join us as we take a deep dive into CO incident investigation findings.

Register today: Join the conversation