Carbon monoxide poisoning victims discharged from hospital

20 June 2006

Eleven Talleys factory workers taken to hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning have all been discharged.

The Department of Labour has launched an investigation into yesterday’s incident in Blenheim. Most of the women hospitalised with elevated levels of carbon monoxide in their blood had now been interviewed, acting health and safety service manager for Nelson Marlborough Annette Baxter said.

All 11 were treated with oxygen in Wairau Hospital and discharged last night. They are expected to recover with no lasting ill effects.
Ms Baxter said the women, working in the factory’s vegetable processing area where an LPG-powered forklift was operating, suffered the classic early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

“They were all feeling very unwell, but didn’t let on to the others that they were feeling sick. They had no idea they were being affected by carbon monoxide fumes, and didn’t realise that anything was seriously wrong until one woman passed out and collapsed.”

Ms Baxter said the Department’s investigation would focus on why an LPG-powered forklift was being used in an enclosed area.

To the journalist: please note that health and safety services formerly referred to as Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) should now be referred to as the Department of Labour.