Glendale, WI – A workplace injury Wednesday at the Sprecher Brewery in Glendale led to detection of elevated carbon monoxide levels, forcing an evacuation of employees, according to the North Shore Fire Department.
Firefighters and an ambulance crew were called to the brewery at 701 W. Glendale Ave. shortly after 4 p.m. when an employee was struck by several fallen kegs, according to Firefighter/Paramedic Dan Tyk.
While the employee was being treated, Tyk said, a carbon monoxide alarm attached to medical kit carried from the ambulance began to sound and elevated CO levels were detected throughout the building, which was then evacuated.
The exhaust from a forklift being used inside the plant was determined to be the source of the carbon monoxide and the entire structure was ventilated, Tyk said.
The incident highlights the importance of having working carbon monoxide detectors in homes and workplaces, he said.
The injured employee was taken to a hospital with injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening, Tyk said.
Another fire official said the plant had carbon monoxide detectors, but he said he did not know if they were sounding when firefighters arrived.
Employees were allowed back into the brewery shortly before 6 p.m., the official said.