Fatality from carbon monoxide poisoning (LPG fridge)

Energy type:

LPG

Event summary:

NZ Police advised WorkSafe Energy Safety of a death they had investigated that appears to have been due to carbon monoxide poisoning from an LPG refrigerator set up in a shipping container used as a home. WorkSafe Energy Safety reviewed the Police conclusion, and examined and tested the refrigerator to confirm this theory.

Accident ID:

171115-01

Accident date:

12 April 2016

Site:

Domestic

Environment:

Building

Voltage:

N/A

Equipment:

Refrigerator

Accident type:

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Casualty:

Fatality

Injury:

Asphyxiation

Property damage level:

No property damage

Outcome of investigation:

The likely cause of death was accidental carbon monoxide poisoning due to operation of the refrigerator in a poorly ventilated space. The police attending the accident scene noted all the doors and windows were closed. A medical examination into the death showed a high carbon monoxide blood saturation level.

WorkSafe Energy Safety undertook subsequent examination and testing of the refrigerator which confirmed the injector was partially blocked and therefore the likely source of carbon monoxide.