Norfolk shipyard workers treated for carbon monoxide

NORFOLK

Six employees of a BAE Systems shipyard subcontractor were taken to the hospital Tuesday after being exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide.

The six were sandblasting and cleaning a tank on the amphibious assault ship Bataan when a carbon monoxide alarm went off, said Capt. Mike Marsala of Norfolk Fire-Rescue.

All left the area on their own, though at least one complained of dizziness, said Joe Chopek, a shipyard spokesman. They were taken to Sentara Leigh Hospital; two were later released and four remained to undergo oxygen treatment.

The workers wore breathing apparatus in the Bataan's tank, which a marine engineer had certified to identify the safety equipment needed to work there, Chopek said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.

The ship returned in April from a mission to Haiti.