Oakland Co. Worker Dies From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Police

ALMONT TOWNSHIP, MI — A Troy man died and another man was seriously injured from carbon monoxide poisoning while working in a pole barn in Almont Township last Friday, according to police.

Police said the two men were grinding and polishing concrete in a detached barn behind a home in the 7100 block of Hough Road at 9:15 p.m. last Friday.

The homeowner went to check on the workers and found them both unresponsive on the floor inside the barn, according to police.

Both workers, a 43-year-old Troy man and a 50-year-old man from Mt. Clemens, were taken to McLaren Lapeer Region hospital, according to police.

The Troy man died, while the other worker was listed in critical condition, according to police.

The Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the Troy man died from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to police.

Both contractors worked for Echo-Polish, a floor polishing company based in Shelby Township.

Officials did not release their names.

The workers were using propane powered equipment inside the barn with no ventilation, according to a news report, citing the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Investigators were still trying to determine whether the machines malfunctioned or whether the lack of ventilation alone asphyxiated the workers.

Police said there were no carbon monoxide alarms inside the barn.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that forms from burning gases or materials. High levels of carbon monoxide exposure can be fatal, causing death within minutes.