Tag Archives: insects

General Safety Issues

Top 7 Safety Tips To Keep Your Employees Safe From Insects

Workers are exposed to many dangerous things, including the unwelcome insects. Insects can be a nuisance, but they can also be a danger. If your workers are stung by an insect such as a bee or a wasp, or even a hornet, it might not be a big deal. In most cases, bites and stings cause discomfort. However, in other situations, most often with bites from more aggressive insect species, the bite can turn into an allergic reaction and if not treated immediately, lead to even catastrophic results. Every workplace needs to be protected from such occurrences. Something as small as a fire ant can cause a lot of damage and put your employees at great risk. The worksites with birdbaths, buckets of water, old tires, clogged gutters, and other outdoor equipment are at a much higher risk that indoor workspaces. However, the risk is still present everywhere.

‘’It isn’t just the conditions in which employees work. It is also their location. Just think of the West Nile Virus – it killed over fifty people in a single year, which is more than the highest casualty rate recorded in the past.’’ – shares Elisabeth Webber, writer at Brillassignment.co.uk.As a good employer, you want to protect your workers from diseases spread from insect bites, as well as complications that arise as a result of allergies, bacteria, viruses and parasites. The West Nile virus infection is just one of the many, since infected mosquitoes and ticks can carry anything from bacteria to Lyme disease. Statistics say that in a period of nine years between 2001 and 2010, an estimate of 6.8 million people visited emergency rooms in the US for insect sting and bite injuries.

With this in mind, you need to take the right precautions and measures to protect your employees from insects:

Keep them Informed

Before taking any measures to protect the employees, you need to inform them about ways to protect themselves. This is the only way to make sure that employees know what to do when an insect bites or stings them, what to watch for, and what to do to prevent it.

Your task is to discuss the following with them:

  • Appropriate outfit that prevents insect bites, such as long-sleeved shirt and long pants, as well as socks.
  • Use of repellents as stated in the label directions. Repellents can be used on clothing as per the label directions.
  • Working indoors when insects are most active outdoors. For example, mosquitoes are known to be most active at dusk and dawn.

Inspect the Workplace

Your task and that of your employees is to inspect the workplace regularly to rid of breeding grounds as soon as possible. You can train your employees to watch out for this too, and inform you when something like that happens.

Fix and Remove Dangers from the Workplace

Inspecting the workplace includes identifying the leaking buckets, hoses or other things that hold water, and fixing it. It also includes clearing the clogged rained gutters, drilling holes into plant saucers and outdoor containers to prevent water accumulation, keeping pools, ponds and fountains circulating, etc.

To move things father, you can install foggers and mosquito traps, or add mosquito fish to the water sources.

Have Safety Meeting

Have safety meetings as often as possible. On these meetings, your job is to discuss everything related to safety, including insect safety. Let the employees know where you keep the repellant, teach them how to use it, identify the dangerous areas with them, and train them to handle such situations.

Be Prepared

As a safety expert, you need to be the most prepared of them all. This means having epinephrine auto injectors, learn first aid for sting bites, learn how to remove stingers, and have all the equipment necessary to perform a fast, first aid insect bite procedure.

Keep the Work Area as Clean as Possible

Insects can be found in the areas we discussed above, but also in dirty areas. The cleaner you keep the work area, the lower are the chances that insects will come for, let’s say, discarded food.

Teach Employees Insect Bite First Aid

Keeping the employees informed includes this essential point. You aren’t the only one who should know how to react when someone is bitten or stung and has a bad reaction. All your employees should know how to help themselves, as well as co-workers in case you are not there at the moment.

The insect bite first aid for a stinging insect is:

  • Washing the site with water and soap
  • Removing the stinger with a gauze over the area
  • Ice application to reduce the swelling
  • Monitoring the worker to ensure that they don’t have an allergic reaction

Call emergency if the worker shows symptoms

That’s it – the seven preparation tips that will reduce the chances of your employees being stung or bitten by an insect. Remember – this can happen no matter how hard you try, so the most important thing is to be prepared.

About the authorScott Mathews is a professional content writer at recruiting, HR management and work productivity. Scott`s biggest passion is blogging and travelling. He regularly takes part in different conferences and contributes his posts to different websites. Contact him on Facebook and Twitter.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

DO THE SMALL THINGS IN LIFE “BUG” YOU?

There are many things about life that get under our skin.  Sometimes we just have to cope with them, and do the best we can.  Little things, irritants that just “bug” the heck out of you. It may be a co-worker, spouse, child, or even a stranger making a certain remark that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up!  Well, we have to carry on and rise above these types of annoyances.  These are better known as from the “human species.”  Now, let’s talk about the real nuisances – insects! 

It seems the warm weather brings out the little critters that have been hibernating during the winter.  Sometimes, they don’t make it through the freezing winters, but other times, somehow, enough of them do, in order to carry on their tradition of making life miserable for us.  If you know what they are and the hazards they bring with them, it may make it easier for you to deal with them this summer.  I have listed some of the worst summer bugs for you to watch for: 

  • Bees.  Yellow jackets and bees are especially threatening to persons with allergies.  Bee stings can prove fatal if not treated in a timely manner.  They thrive in all parts of the country, making hives from overhangs around your home.  These hives can grow very large in size, increasing the likelihood of stings.  Sometimes it is necessary to call a professional to get rid of the hives, because when they are disrupted, the entire swarm may come out swinging (or stinging)!
  • Mosquitoes. Oh, joy, it’s time for mosquitoes.  Not only is their little “buzz”  irritating, but the bites they make are, too.  Their bites cause itching, redness and other physical discomforts.  Most often they are found in and around standing pools of water, where they lay their eggs in the summer.  They like humid areas, but live in almost every part of the U.S.  Mosquitoes carry disease, so it is best to decrease the amount of standing water in your yard, and wear long sleeves and use protective bug spray.
  • Cockroaches. Yuk! These are some of the nastiest bugs , but they love to invade your home. Too much heat outside drives them indoors causing them to seek out moist areas of your home.  I’ve seen reality shows where cockroaches were attracted to the glue that is used to put mobile homes walls together, and they were rampant.  Large groups of cockroaches can cause breathing problems for persons with respiratory illnesses.  The best policy is to have regular pest control treatments in your home to get rid of these bugs and keep them out.
  • Termites. Our home fell victim to the little monsters several years ago.  They didn’t particularly like us, but they loved the wood in our attic.  Luckily, we found out before the damage was too extensive, because they can literally eat your home up.  Call your termite control to do an inspection, as it can be very expensive to repair the damage they cause.
  • Ticks.  Ticks also carry disease.  If you find a tick on yourself, or your dog, remove it by pulling steadily and firmly.  Use fine-tipped tweezers, as close to the skin as possible, and pull slowly.  Wash the area and apply antiseptic or antibiotic ointment.  Watch area for infection, and see a doctor if you see signs of a rash in that area.  Be sure to use an insect repellent on yourself before going out of doors; use one that is approved for animals, as well.  Check your pet for ticks often.
  • Fire Ants.  These tiny little ants build huge mounds, and do a lot of property damage. They get into water systems, eat their little hearts out on electric wiring, and have been known to even kill small animals.  And, their stings are like fire, hence the name! 

Here’s some tips that might help you before you go on that next outing:

  • Protect yourself with a light-colored long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a hat.  Don’t wear perfume or scented lotions.  Brightly colored clothing may look like flower colors and attract insects.
  • Stay out of tall underbrush when hiking.
  • If you are having a picnic, don’t leave open cans of sugary drinks unattended, as yellow jackets love to find a warm drink sitting in the sun.  Check your food and drinks before consumption.  Stings inside the mouth and throat are dangerous because of the potential of swelling and closing off the windpipes.  This is a good warning to parents of small children, who often leave their drinks on the picnic table and run off to play – try taking lids!  Take partially empty cans or cups and rinse them out at a faucet.  Don’t throw the leftover liquid in the grass. 
  • When you are cleaning up after your outing, wrap up all the trash and place in a sealed trashbag; if you throw it all loose into a trash bin, it’s an open invitation to yellow jackets or bees to come on in.  Then, the next person may get stung when they open the trash bin. 

Remember, these little pests were created for a reason.  While we stay in our nice, warm homes during the winter, they are out there somewhere hiding in cold, dark spaces in trees and other shelters.  When we come out for the summer months, we are moving into their territory, so in a way, we are the ones doing the invading!  Regardless of being the aggressor, however, we have the right to protect ourselves ……with the insect repellent, yard spray, allergy medication, first aid kit, and even fly swatters!  Go out there and have fun, just be ready for combat.

General Safety Issues, Home Safety Products

MOSQUITOS ARE STILL HERE!

I was playing golf last night and, without thinking, left the mosquito repellent at home.  I spent most of the time out there swatting at the bugs.  Needless to say, it didn’t turn out to be one of my more relaxing games.

For those of us who live in warmer climates, the arrival of fall doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be on guard against mosquito bites.  Viruses that cause West Nile, dengue fever, eastern and western equine encephalitis, and St. Louis encephalitis are carried by these little pests. Tom Sidway, veterinarian and manager of Texas Department of State Health Services zoonosis control program, states that 30 per cent of the states’ 1,700 West Nile cases from 2002-2006 became ill after August 31.

To reduce the risk of mosquito-borne infection:

  • Cover as much skin as comfortable when outdoors.
  • Use insect repellents that contain DEET.
  • Change water in pet bowls, bird baths, and wading pools several times per week.  Drain standing water from around your home.
  • Make sure door seals are intact; mosquito-proof your house.

We know that all mosquito bites don’t cause illness, but we need to protect ourselves when we are outdoors.

Texas DSHS

General Safety Issues, Home Safety Products

THOSE PESKY SUMMER BUGS, PLANTS!

We all know that one of life’s unpleasant experiences we all have to contend with in the summertime, whether we go on vacation or stay home, are those pesky insects and poisonous plants!

Poison Ivy:  Did you know it grows almost everywhere in the US except Hawaii, Alaska, and some parts of Nevada?  They differ in looks according to the places they live.  Poison Sumac is basically the same plant.
One needs to research the plant and how it looks according to their location.  Urushiol is released from the plants, and sticks to just about anything it comes in contact with.  The best way to deal with these plants is to stay away from them!

Bee Stings:  Most of the time, bees are as afraid of you as you are of them!  Bees are attracted to bright, floral patterns of clothing, fragrances, and food.  Bees will land on soda cans, or spilled food, so beware!  Plan to wear proper clothing (long sleeves, hats, leather work gloves, etc.) if you are going to be outside and know you are in “Bee Territory”!

Spider Bites:  Summer is the prime season for mating and laying eggs for Brown Recluse spiders.  This spider has a very toxic venom.  These non-aggressive spiders only bite when they are caught in a situation, such as being in shoes, bedding, or clothes.  One of their hiding places is cardboard boxes, under the flaps.  So use extreme caution when cleaning; shake out shoes and clothes before donning them.  They also like woodpiles, so check your gloves for spiders before you pick up the wood.