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08/01/2007
Safety & Education Committee Update
Summer, for me, means longer hours at the job site followed by late nights writing reports and bidding new jobs. Sound familiar? Summer schedules often leave little time for researching topics for safety meetings. As a small business owner I rely on OSHA for assistance in my continuing efforts for job site safety awareness. Even though summer’s end is just around the corner I believe the following information is relevant and encourage you to visit OSHA’s website for further information.
Death in the Long Grass by Peter Hathaway Capstick, the world’s best-known African professional hunter, explains in nine chapters the danger lurking in the tall grasses of Africa. This book is one of my all- time favorite reads and I even convinced my tree-hugging, dirt worshiping, animal rights advocate wife to read a 290-page book written by a man whose life revolved around hunting deadly game. Capstick’s writing on Africa has been compared to Ernest Hemingway’s; I think that’s why my wife agreed to read it.
While passing the bookcase the other day I saw the cover and the thought hit me that while most of us do not have to worry about being mauled and eaten by a lion or stomped to death by an elephant on the job site, hazards that “lurk in the long grass” at the job site are relevant and are often overlooked. Educating your crews with regards to seasonal and regional hazards can be completed once again by utilizing OSHA’s website. I have discussed OSHA Quick Cards in the past and have encouraged through my articles use of the OSHA website for assistance. I want to discuss a couple of “Quick Cards” that are very appropriate for this time of year and can be used during tailgate safety meetings, distributed to employees or posted on the jobsite.
Working outdoors, especially in remote areas, brings crews into contact with a variety of rodents, snakes, and insects. Our crews all know that working in a certain area locally we will encounter brown recluse spiders that seem to migrate to spools of heliax for nesting. Once this information was discovered it spread like wildfire through the crews. Everyone knows gloves are a must and we approach the situation with caution. Although brown recluse are small, their poisonous bite is serious and medical treatment is required.
Knowing your working environment and identifying the “grass” hazards such as poisonous snake and spider populations can prevent a crisis on site. Download OSHA Quick Card #3274 Rodents, Snakes and Insects which covers the following topics:
Insects, Spiders and Ticks
• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts;
• Use an insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin;
• For pain relief and to prevent infection use an over-the-counter product; and
• Fire ant bites are painful, cause blisters and may produce severe reactions requiring immediate medical treatment.
Rodents and Wild or Stray Animals
• Rat Bite Fever and Rabies diseases can be spread by live and dead animals;
• Avoid contact with wild or stray animals;
• Avoid rats or rat-contaminated buildings;
• If you can not avoid contact wear gloves and wash hands regularly;
• Get rid of the dead animal as soon as possible; and
• If bitten or scratched by a wild or stray animal get medical attention immediately.
Snakes
• Watch where you place your hands and feet when removing debris. If possible, don’t place your fingers under debris you are moving and wear heavy gloves;
• If you see a snake, step back and allow it to pass;
• Wear boots at least 10” high;
• A snake’s striking distance is about 1/2 the total length of the snake;
• If bitten, notice the color and shape of the snake’s head to help with treatment;
• Keep bite victims still and calm to slow the spread of venom in case the snake is poisonous. Seek medical attention as soon as possible; and
• Do not cut the wound or attempt to suck out the venom. Apply first aid; lie the person down so that the bite is below the level of the heart, and cover the bite with a clean, dry dressing.
Lyme Disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are transmitted to people by bacteria from bites of infected deer. An infected bite will generally develop a “bulls-eye” rash and flu-like symptoms such as fever, lymph node swelling, neck stiffness, fatigue, headache and muscle/joint aches will occur.
• Wear light colored clothes to see ticks easily;
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck pants into boots;
• Use tick repellants;
• Shower after work and wash/dry clothes at high temperatures; and
• Examine your body for ticks and promptly remove any attached ticks using tweezers. Watch the bite area for signs of “bulls-eye” and seek medical attention if rash occurs.
Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac have poisonous sap in their roots, stems, leaves and fruit. The poison can be transferred directly to the skin or to an article of clothing which, when touched transfers the poison to the skin. Medical research indicates 85% of the population will develop an allergy if exposed to these poisonous plants.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants;
• Educate workers on the identification of poisonous plants; and
• Keep rubbing alcohol accessible as it removes the oily resin up to 30 minutes after exposure.
Another OSHA Quick Card #3278 West Nile Virus, gives tips on how to protect yourself from West Nile Virus as well as signs and symptoms.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants;
• Avoid perfumes or colognes;
• Use inspect repellent with DEET or Picaridin, spraying it on exposed skin as well as your clothing;
• Wash skin with soap and water to remove inspect repellent after working;
• Remember from dusk to dawn mosquitoes are most active; and
• Severe symptoms may include disorientation, tremors, convulsions, even paralysis and require hospitalization. Mild symptoms may include headache, fever, swollen lymph nodes or rash.
If you are working in unfamiliar locations, research the area and educate yourself and your crews on the potential dangers that may be “lurking in the long grass.” If you work in the same area all the time and are familiar with the grass dangers, don’t assume everyone has the same information. Education only works when everyone is included in the process and remember, “death in the long grass” doesn’t just happen in Africa. Stay safe!
Clay Cowart is a member of the NATE Safety & Education Committee and is the Owner of Phoenix Tower Service, LLC in Horton, Kansas. He can be reached at 785-486-2711 or phoenix@rainbowtel.net
Clay Cowart
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