If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Leave the area and get to fresh air immediately. Help others out if you can do so without staying inside.
- 2Call 911. Tell them you suspect carbon monoxide.
- 3Do not go back in until responders or qualified people say it is safe.
- 4Tell responders about symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, chest pain, fainting.
- 5If someone is unconscious, tell the 911 operator right away.
- 6Tell your supervisor and report the exposure in writing.
- 7Note the equipment that was running, how long you were in the area and who else felt sick.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Carbon monoxide exposures at work often trace back to fuel-burning equipment in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces: propane forklifts in a closed warehouse, a generator or pressure washer indoors, a vehicle idling in a service bay, or a faulty heater. Describe the equipment and conditions in your written report.
Ask whether a carbon monoxide detector was in place and whether it alarmed. Write down who else had symptoms; several people feeling ill together is important information.
Your employer generally forwards the report to its insurer or claims administrator. Deadlines to report and file vary by state, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible.
Keep emergency room paperwork, any test results you are given, and a log of symptoms in the weeks afterward, such as headaches, memory or concentration trouble, or mood changes.
Getting medical care
Emergency care comes first. Follow-up may happen with occupational medicine, primary care or a neurology or concussion-type specialist if thinking or memory problems linger. A licensed clinician decides what testing or care is appropriate after an evaluation.
Tell every provider you were exposed to carbon monoxide at work and for about how long. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see for follow-up, so ask your employer or adjuster.
If you are prescribed medication, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Many can be filled locally or delivered to your home.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- You have lasting headaches, memory problems, concentration trouble or mood changes after the exposure.
- Equipment made, rented or serviced by another company was involved.
- You had raised ventilation or equipment concerns before and they were not addressed.
- Your claim is denied because symptoms are called unrelated.
- You cannot return to the same work environment.
- You were discouraged from reporting or calling 911.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Many people feel better soon after a mild exposure, but some notice symptoms later. Keep a simple diary and tell your clinician about any thinking, memory, balance or mood changes.
Before returning, ask what was fixed: ventilation, equipment repair, detectors, rules about indoor engines. Ask your doctor whether you need restrictions.
Keep your employer and adjuster updated. If you are anxious about going back into the same space, ask about what has been done and tell your clinician.
Questions to ask
- Doctor: What symptoms could show up later after carbon monoxide exposure?
- Doctor: Should I see a specialist if I have memory or concentration problems?
- Employer: What caused the carbon monoxide, and has it been fixed?
- Employer: Are there carbon monoxide detectors in the area now?
- Adjuster: What is my claim number, and who handles follow-up visits?
- Adjuster: How are later symptoms handled under my claim?
- Attorney: Rented equipment was involved. Does that matter?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I think I have carbon monoxide exposure at work?
Get to fresh air right away and call 911. Do not go back inside until it is declared safe. Then report the exposure in writing to your employer.
What are the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Common signs include headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, confusion, sleepiness and, in serious cases, fainting. Symptoms can feel like the flu. If several people feel sick around running equipment, treat it as an emergency.
Can carbon monoxide exposure cause problems later?
Some people report headaches, memory or concentration problems, or mood changes after an exposure. Tell your clinician about any new symptoms. Keep a diary with dates.
What causes carbon monoxide at work?
It often comes from fuel-burning equipment in enclosed spaces, like propane forklifts, generators, gas tools, idling vehicles or faulty heaters. Poor ventilation makes it worse. Ask your employer what caused yours.
Is carbon monoxide exposure at work covered by workers' comp?
Exposures on the job are often handled through workers' compensation, depending on your state and situation. Report it in writing. Check deadlines with your state's agency.
When can I go back to work after carbon monoxide exposure?
Your clinician decides when you are ready, and your employer should confirm the cause has been fixed. Ask both. Get any restrictions in writing.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).