Worker dies of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at construction site

A worker has died at this home under construction in Winnipeg, after suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. The tragedy serving as a warning about the dangers of this difficult to detect toxic gas.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Crews were called to a home on Beck Cove in the city’s Charleswood area Wednesday evening. When paramedics entered the home, the city said their carbon monoxide detectors immediately went off, alerting them the levels were unsafe.

Bystanders providing care to the unresponsive worker were evacuated. Two other people were taken to hospital, with one in unstable condition. When fire crews arrived on scene, they recorded readings of over 2,000 parts per million inside the home.

“2,000 parts per million is very dangerous and very fatal in a very short period of time,” explained Ryan Youngson, a Community Risk Reduction Officer with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.

“The dangers with carbon monoxide are that it’s a colourless, odorless, tasteless gas that can become fatal in a very short time period.”

It’s believed a gas-powered pump, which was running inside the house, was the cause of the carbon monoxide levels. Youngson says the WFPS respond to around 700 carbon monoxide calls annually. He says there are some things you can do to protect yourself.

“Make sure that your home, wherever you live, is equipped with a smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide alarm on every level of that dwelling, including the basement, and preferably located outside a sleeping area,” he explained.

“People are generally receptive to the education we provide to them but reminders never hurt because knowledge fades with time if we are not reminded of it.”

Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health declined interviews citing the ongoing investigation, but a spokesperson from the province says a stop work order has been issued on the gas-powered equipment.

Kevin Rebeck, the President of the Manitoba Federation of Labour says there are about two dozen Manitobans who lose their lives on the job every year. He says there should be better legislation in the province to provide better health and safety for workers.

“This government made a move to weaken health and safety standards when they reduced the apprenticeship ratios and that means workers, largely in the construction sector, that used to have one to one supervision when they were apprenticed, no longer have that. This makes training not as efficient and safety as a higher risk,” said Rebeck.

Carbon monoxide is produced when any fossil fuel is burned. Jeff Smith from CO Experts says it’s crucial to have well maintained carbon monoxide detectors in homes and workplaces.

“I always suggest five or six years on any product, because what ends up happening is over time, they get polluted regardless. Even in your home, if you have an air filtration system, you are still getting contaminants in the air that are settling on the sensor and over time, that effects their ability to detect accurately,” said Smith.

CityNews reached out to Artista Homes who was building the property but didn’t receive a response back in time for broadcast deadline.