FDNY and EMS saved the lives of 9 people who are working on a construction site in Manhattan has received a critical dose of carbon monoxide.
The incident occurred on Tuesday around 16:30 on East 29th Street and Madison Avenue in the Flatiron District. Workers poured the Foundation on the area of about 60 square feet, when suddenly felt dizziness and nausea.
Authorities reported that in this area of the site, the carbon monoxide was 750 ppm, while 10 ppm is considered a dangerous dose. «It was very difficult to ventilate, because in a confined space little space,» explained high levels of the Deputy chief FDNY John Sarrocco.
#FDNY members continue to operate to remove workers from the scene of a construction site at 30 E. 29 St. in Manhattan. pic.twitter.com/fUFmpCDEQb
— FDNY (@FDNY) February 5, 2019
A few workers were able to get out on the street, others needed the help of rescuers. To transport two patients FDNY needed a stretcher because they couldn’t move themselves.
Looks like a successful #ConfinedSpace rescue in NY.
FDNY Rescues 9 Workers Sickened by Carbon Monoxide: https://t.co/aWwlu8PiDC pic.twitter.com/qQ0cj8pUuT
— Command Training (@Confined_Spaces) February 6, 2019
EMS immediately began treating victims, providing oxygen, placing IVS and checking cardiac performance. From nine workers taken to hospitals, four were in serious condition, five suffered slightly. The FDNY reports that by 6 p.m., the indicators were still far from the norm of 350 ppm.
9 workers treated after carbon monoxide incident in Manhattan https://t.co/bj21kAUbmf pic.twitter.com/nQKSSolIiW
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) November 6, 2019
The incident has built a house, and investigators believe that a gas generator working underground in a confined space, could be a source of carbon monoxide.
#FDNY members performed a high-angle rescue earlier today to remove two workers from a confined space at a construction site in Manhattan. Read more: https://t.co/w4aJivhPbM pic.twitter.com/CMiIqP1d0w
— FDNY (@FDNY) February 6, 2019
FDNY emphasize that generators running on gas, should never be used indoors in a confined space: they should always be stored outside in a well ventilated area.
Construction work at this site was suspended and the contractor will have to answer for violations of safety rules at the facility.
