Report from 2006 incident:  Carpenter died from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning while using a gasoline powered generator inside a storage container at a construction site in Massachusetts.  This tragic incident can serve as a reminder of the importance of having a safety plan in place and following the plan in regards to the use of portable gasoline generators.

NIOSH Recommendations as a result of the investigation:

Recommendation #1: Employers should ensure that fuel-burning generators are placed outside of buildings and storage containers when operating.

Recommendation #2: Employers should ensure carbon monoxide detectors are used when fuel-burning generators are running and employees are located at indoor and/or partially enclosed work sites.

Recommendation #3: Home builders / general contractors of large construction projects should provide electricity at long term tool and equipment storage locations supplied to subcontractors.

Recommendation #4: Home builders / general contractors of large construction projects should ensure that the maps of construction sites provided to local emergency response personnel include all storage locations for materials and equipment.

Recommendation #5: Manufacturers of fuel-burning generators should provide warnings about the hazards of carbon monoxide associated with fuel-burning generators on labels permanently affixed to the generators, in compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Recommendation #6: Manufacturers of fuel-burning generators should promote research to develop generators that reduce carbon monoxide emissions.