By: centraljersey.com
An investigation into the incident at the 21 Distribution Way business that caused the evacuation of 17 workers began on Monday, and could take as long as six months to complete, Ms. Jones said.
Ms. Jones said OSHA regulates carbon monoxide exposure in the workplace, as well as the use of forklifts, but was unable to comment further because of the ongoing investigation into Saturday’s incident.
Police received a call from the warehouse at 10:20 a.m. Saturday reporting that an employee was sick, Sgt. James Ryan said. When Officers Dennis Yuhasz and Michael Ursadt arrived, the employee had already fainted, Sgt. Ryan said.
After starting treatment on the employee, officers discovered more employees complaining of headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea and vomiting, Sgt. Ryan said.
The officers then evacuated the 17 employees from the building and called for the fire department, Sgt. Ryan said.
Of the 17 employees who were inside the building and had been exposed, six were treated by paramedics and one was transported to St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick where they were listed in stable condition as of Saturday afternoon, Sgt. Ryan said.
According to Sgt. Ryan, the officers did not feel any symptoms of the carbon monoxide poisoning, but were not wearing respiratory equipment because they were responding to a first aid call.
After the Monmouth Junction Fire Department and First Aid Squad arrived, it was discovered that that the workers were simultaneously using seven forklifts without ventilation that created high levels of carbon monoxide in the warehouse, Sgt. Ryan said.
Monmouth Junction Fire Chief Brian Spahr said in a statement Saturday that some the carbon monoxide readings were 750 parts per million.
"This was one of the highest readings I have seen," Chief Spahr said in the statement. "Most residential detectors are set to go off at 35 ppm."
There were reportedly no carbon monoxide detectors in the building, Sgt. Ryan said.Carbon monoxide detectors are not required by OSHA to be installed inside businesses, Nathan Green, an OSHA safety professional said.
Sgt. Ryan said the Fire Department ventilated the building until 2 p.m. Saturday.
Doug Wolfe, fire coordinator for fire district two, said all doors were opened and ventilation fans were used to improve circulation and get fresh air inside the building.
The fire department has been stressing the importance of and how carbon monoxide detectors save lives for years, Mr. Wolfe said.
Carbon monoxide detectors need to be changed every five to seven years, Mr. Wolfe said.
Carbon monoxide occurs when there is burning fuel without proper ventilation, and can also be caused by cars in garages running without ventilation, as well as stoves and heaters, Mr. Wolfe said.
"People don’t really think about it," Mr. Wolfe said.
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are feeling dizzy, nauseous, a headache, and if a victim is sleeping, sometimes they just do not wake up, Mr. Wolfe said.
To treat carbon monoxide poisoning, victims are moved to fresh air, and the area of exposure is to be ventilated, Mr. Wolfe said.
If a carbon monoxide detector goes off, ventilate the area or go outside, and immediately call the fire department, Mr. Wolfe said.
"This is an example of why it is so important that residents install carbon monoxide detectors in their homes because even low levels of carbon monoxide can cause physical symptoms," Township spokesman Ron Schmalz said Tuesday.
If the fire department responds to a carbon monoxide call, they never go in without respiratory equipment, Mr. Wolfe said.
Carbon monoxide exposure is not that common in warehouses since most are well ventilated and use electric forklifts, Mr. Wolfe said.
"Anytime there is an injury (in the workplace), OSHA gets involved," Mr. Wolfe said.
Hermann Warehouse Corporation is based in North Brunswick, and provides warehouses and transportation services, according to their website.
On Tuesday, corporation public service representative Christine Van Hise refused to comment or answer any questions regarding the incident.