Cleveland — Worker safety needs to be a priority on construction sites where portable generators are used, the Portable Generators Manufacturers’ Association says.
In a March 17 announcement, the group encourages contractors, equipment managers, rental companies and safety professionals to be aware of its safety and performance standard, ANSI/PGMA G300-2023.
The standard expands on carbon monoxide-shutoff sensor technology introduced in 2018 by lowering the CO shut-off thresholds. PGMA notes that the technology has been credited with a 99% reduction in fatalities.
According to Section 6.2.11.1 of the standard, “The portable generator engine shall shut off before the CO concentration measured in parts per million by volume exceeds 600 ppm or a 10-minute rolling average of 400 ppm, as measured by the CO analyzer.”
To ensure safe operation, the association says to:
- Always operate generators outdoors and never inside buildings, trailers, truck beds, tents or other partially enclosed areas.
- Direct exhaust away from occupied structures and, whenever possible, downwind.
- Read and follow manufacturers’ instructions and safety guidelines.
- Move anyone who feels sick, dizzy or weak on a jobsite where a generator is operating to fresh air immediately.
- Call 911 when emergency medical attention is needed.
