Date: Fri 13-Dec-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

school-high-construction

Full Text:

gennews: High School Construction Worker Overcome By Fumes

A construction worker was treated and released from Danbury Hospital Tuesday

after he was overcome by fumes from equipment while working on the new

addition at Newtown High School.

Emergency medical technicians from the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps were

sent to the high school about 11 am when a construction worker was reported to

be unconsious at the site. The worker, whose identity was not released, was

taken to the hospital.

William Halstead, chief of the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company,

said he was notified several hours later that medical personnel believed

exhaust fumes could be responsible. Several other construction workers said

they also felt ill but refused medical treatment, he said.

The fire company was sent to the high school at 2:37 pm to investigate the

incident.

"There were 10 or 12 unvented propane heaters which were being used to keep

the cement which had been poured from freezing," Chief Halstead said. "There

were also at least three pieces of diesel-powered equipment in the area, too."

Fire Marshall George Lockwood Sr said the combination of all of the heaters

and equipment was reducing the amount of oxygen in the area.

"It was really an oversight by some of the (contractors)," Mr Lockwood said.

"We made them move the heaters outside and use the type that blow warm air

into the building."