1. Bi-Weekly Safety Meeting June 27, 2013
Environmental Pests
Bi-Weekly Safety Meeting
June 27, 2013

2. Purpose
Environmental pests can be found at all job sites in all of the industries in which we work.
The purpose of this training is to help you recognize common pests and consider ways to avoid contact.

3. Listed below are just a few of our employees’ experiences:
Stair tower: Wasp nest, no stings, hired pest control to remove nest
Outdoor panel: Bee hive, first aid injury due to multiple stings
Dumpster: Wasp nest, first aid injury due to single sting
Unit tower: Hawk attack, no injury, avoided area and reported issue to the client
Any area where insects can nestle under an eave, where birds can roost, where stray animals can find a home, or when you enter into an outdoor area that is an animal’s or insect’s normal habitat, there is potential danger.

4. The following slides provide SMART card entries and a few pictures of the pests we can come in contact with during our work activities.
Continue to communicate your observations through the SMART program.
Use caution and stay safe!

5. Watch for problematic insects such as spiders, bees, wasps, etc
Watch for problematic insects such as spiders, bees, wasps, etc. when working in remote or seldom-visited areas

6. For the past 2 days we have been killing roaches.

7. The parking area for contract employees is about a quarter mile away from the area where we work. We also have to walk through a wooded area that has a walk path. Recently a snake was discovered on the path. The lesson learned is to be aware of your surroundings at all times.

8. Food and drinks attract rodents and insects into the manufacturing area and this will cause issues for the client.

9. There is a nesting set of magpies in the parking lot
There is a nesting set of magpies in the parking lot. They have been dive bombing people as they walk into the building. Care must be taken as to not disturb their nest which is close to where I normally park. The client is warning others about the nesting birds.

10. While entering into the secured gated area to access the control panel, I was stung on the left hand; during troubleshooting in the control panel, I was stung twice on the back; upon removing the stingers, no further first aid action was taken and no further health issues have appeared.

11. Family of raccoons in the Long Beach office parking lot

12. Beware of birds on top of tanks and towers

13. Feral cats at the refinery.

14. Bees and Wasps Preventative Steps
Wear light-colored clothing, covering as much of the body as possible.
Avoid perfumed soaps, shampoos, and deodorants.
Wear clean clothing and bathe daily (sweat may anger bees).
Avoid flowering plants
Keep work areas clean. Social wasps thrive in places where humans discard food.
Remain calm and still if a single stinging insect is flying around. (Swatting at an insect may cause it to sting)

15. Bees and Wasps Preventative Steps (continued)
If you are attacked by several stinging insects at once, move to get away from them. (Bees release a chemical when they sting, which may attract other bees.)
If there is a bee inside your vehicle, stop the car slowly, and open all the windows.
Employees with a history of severe allergic reactions to insect bites or stings should consider carrying an epinephrine auto injector (EpiPen) and should wear a medical identification bracelet or necklace stating their allergy.

16. Bees and Wasps First Aid
Have someone stay with the worker to be sure that they do not have an allergic reaction.
Wash the site with soap and water.
Remove the stinger using gauze wiped over the area or by scraping a fingernail over the area. Never squeeze the stinger or use tweezers.
Apply ice to reduce swelling.
Do not scratch the sting as this may increase swelling, itching, and risk of infection.

17. Mosquitoes Preventative Steps
Insect repellent helps reduce your exposure to mosquito bites that may carry West Nile virus or other diseases.
Wear protective clothing (long sleeves, long pants, socks, light colors)
Avoid standing water.
Mosquitoes need standing water to breed

18. Mosquitoes
First Aid
Apply anti-itch creams like calamine as needed to help prevent scratching.
Use anti-inflammatory creams like cortisone cream to help ease the inflammation and itching
If there is severe itching and multiple bug bites use antihistamines like Benedryl.

19. Spiders Preventative Steps
Inspect or shake out any clothing, shoes, towels, or equipment before use.
Wear protective clothing such as a long-sleeved shirt and long pants, hat, gloves, and boots when handling stacked or undisturbed piles of materials.
Minimize the empty spaces between stacked materials.
Remove and reduce debris and rubble from around the outdoor work areas.
Store apparel and outdoor equipment in tightly closed plastic bags.
Keep your tetanus boosters up-to-date (every 10 years). Spider bites can become infected with tetanus spores.

20. Spiders First Aid Try and identify the type of spider that bit you.
Clean the site of the spider bite well with soap and water.
Apply a cool compress over the bite location.
If the bite is on an extremity, elevate it.
Aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and antihistamines may be used to relieve minor signs and symptoms in adults.
If bitten by a brown recluse or black widow spider:
Cleanse the wound, slow the venom’s spread by tying a snug bandage above the bite and elevate limb, use a cold cloth at bite location, and seek immediate medical attention.

21. Snakes Preventative Steps Do not try to handle any snake.
Stay away from tall grass and piles of leaves when possible.
Avoid climbing on rocks or piles of wood where a snake may be hiding.
Be aware that snakes tend to be active at night and in warm weather.
Wear boots and long pants when working outdoors.
Wear leather gloves when handling brush and debris

22. Snakes
First Aid
Seek medical attention as soon as possible (dial 911 or call local Emergency Medical Services.)
Try to remember the color and shape of the snake, which can help with treatment of the snake bite.
Keep still and calm. This can slow down the spread of venom.
Inform your supervisor.
Apply first aid if you cannot get to the hospital right away.
Lay or sit down with the bite below the level of the heart.
Wash the bite with soap and water.
Cover the bite with a clean, dry dressing.

23. The best way to avoid an incident with a wild animal or dangerous insect is to keep your distance.
Be sure to report any potential hazards such as hives, snakes, stray cats and dogs, etc., so that the proper measures can be taken to ensure the safety of all employees.
If you have an allergy that could be aggravated or is life threatening through exposure to certain environments or pests, let your Project Manager know prior to work in the field where the potential hazards for these exist.

24. Visit the CDC website for additional NIOSH workplace safety information on wildlife and insects :