[Labor Accident Case] Carbon monoxide poisoning during the cleaning of the adsorption tower of a desulfurization unit at a steelworks.

We will introduce a case of carbon monoxide poisoning that occurred during the cleaning of the adsorption tower of a desulfurization device at a steel mill.

During the cleaning of the lower section of the desulfurization unit, the victim and two colleagues were using a vacuum hose to perform suction work outside the inner manhole, while four others were inside the inner manhole. The observer at the steel mill sensed an unpleasant odor and, concerned about the inflow of exhaust gas from the sintering machine, measured the levels of sulfur dioxide, oxygen concentration, and carbon monoxide concentration inside the manhole. The oxygen concentration was 18.8% and the carbon monoxide concentration was 130 ppm, prompting the observer to instruct the workers inside the manhole to "run away." After receiving medical attention, both the observer and the victim were advised to be hospitalized; however, the observer returned home the same day, while the victim was hospitalized for a week due to carbon monoxide poisoning. [Suggestions] - Workers should wear portable gas monitors while working. - This will enable early detection of gas leaks in the furnace and alert workers and those nearby to potential dangers. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

Measurement and Inspection