WorkSafeBC Issues Risk Advisory on Dangers of Oxygen Deficiency with Certain Refrigerants

WorkSafeBC is the arms-length governmental body that oversees occupational health and safety in British Columbia. WorkSafeBC released a notice on February 14^th that addresses hazards in cold storage environments. Workplaces that use refrigerants in sufficient quantities may experience a leak or containment failure and put workers at a significant risk of asphyxiation.

Asphyxiants are gases used in refrigeration that reduce the level of oxygen available for breathing, generally displacing normal air.

WorkSafeBC’s new risk advisory, Dangers of oxygen deficiency when using asphyxiants as refrigerants, lists common refrigerants that can cause an oxygen-deficient atmosphere and the health effects that can occur at low oxygen levels. It encourages employers to perform a risk assessment and provides measures — following the hierarchy of controls — that can help reduce risks posed by asphyxiants.

Visit WorkSafeBC’s managing risk webpage to learn more about managing risk.