Huddle script
On April 9, 2006, a Washington janitorial employee died of carbon monoxide poisoning after using a gasoline-powered, truck-mounted carpet cleaner with the vehicle inside an enclosed warehouse. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless and can overcome you without warning. Do not use fuel-powered equipment inside buildings or enclosed areas; opening doors and windows may not provide enough ventilation. Use electric or compressed-air equipment approved for indoor use instead. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, get yourself and exposed people to fresh air and call 911 or the local emergency number. Do not stay in the contaminated location to attempt a rescue. [1]
Discussion questions and planning
The incident details above are documented; the following are adaptable planning prompts for your crew and work area.
- Where could fuel-powered equipment or exhaust expose people in or near our work area? What indoor-approved alternative could do the job?
- Confirm the applicable stop-work and no-retaliation procedures: how can anyone stop work and report a concern without retaliation?
- If carbon monoxide exposure is possible, where should monitoring with alarms be considered? [1]
OSHA's control hierarchy puts elimination or substitution and engineering controls ahead of work practices, administrative controls and PPE. Discuss feasible controls with workers and verify that they work. [2]
Actions and follow-up
Adapt these actions to the job:
- Identify potential carbon monoxide sources and exposure areas before work. [1] Owner: crew to assign. Due: before work begins.
- Choose indoor-approved electric or compressed-air equipment for indoor work. [1] Owner: crew to assign. Due: before indoor work begins.
- Determine where carbon monoxide monitoring with alarms is needed when exposure is possible. [1] Owner: crew to assign. Due: before potential exposure.
Planning prompt: Who will own each action, and by when? Verification question: Are the selected controls in place and working right now? How will we confirm they are effective? [2]
Close the loop: At the next huddle, what was completed, and what still needs attention?
Comprehension check: Can carbon monoxide overcome you without warning? Yes, carbon monoxide can overcome you without warning.
Sources
- Commercial Cleaner Dies of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning While Using Truck-Mounted Cleaning System — Washington State FACE Program. Accessed 2026-11-06. lni.wa.gov
- Hazard Prevention and Control — OSHA. Accessed 2026-11-06. osha.gov