Bites, Stings & Safety Things
Welcome to this week's safety topic. Insect Bites and Stings. The summer months are usually the peak season for bites and stings, especially through the months that have the warmest weather, such as July through August. According to a study published by the Southern Medical Journal in May, 2020, an average of 1.2 million Americans a year needed emergency treatment for bug bites and stings.
These bites cost an estimated $5.7 billion in healthcare costs and lost wages. Is one of the first considerations is to know what types of insects are in your area, and depending on what part of the country you're in, it may vary greatly. Other ants, fire ants, bedbugs, bees, hornets, kissing bugs, mosquitoes, scorpions, ticks, spiders, bedbugs, flies, or other types of insects you may come in contact with.
There are so many insects in the world and it's important to know if you're allergic to the bites or stings. From any of them that you may be exposed to. If you're not sure, always have a plan in place and know what to do in case someone has a reaction or an allergic reaction or needs medical attention.
What are the risks in your workplace while working indoors and outdoors? What type of insects are you most likely to encounter? What are the dangers and risks of stings or bites from those insects? Oftentimes, the most common insects are mosquitoes, ants, spiders. Ticks and bedbugs. So make sure to know what type of insects are in your property.
Have the correct PPE and clothing and know what to do if someone is bitten or stung. Most bites and stings will heal on their own with correct first aid and care. But people can react and respond very differently. Make sure everyone on their team knows the difference between a wasp, a bee, and a hornet.
Typically, pollen collecting bees die after a single sting. In the WASP family, which includes yellow jackets, they can sting repeatedly and can be aggressive. Ornates are a subset of wasps that can also sting repeatedly and are known to be extremely aggressive, and some people can have severe reactions to bee stings.
Are you allergic to bee stings? Fire answers small and typically brownish and black to color. They build a mound and are capable of biting and stinging. Their venom causes a burning sensation, which is why they're often referred to as fire ants. Spiders are usually not aggressive, and most bites occur because the spider is trapped or unintentionally touched.
The two most common venomous spiders in the United States are the black widow and the brown recluse. Of course, avoid them whenever possible, but if you're bitten, you may need medical attention. Ticks are also common. They're generally found in wooded, rushy, or grassy areas. Some ticks have also been known to transmit diseases such as Lyme disease.
So make sure you do know how to remove them correctly and what to do if a tick bites you. Bedbugs can also be found in a building or home and can be a nuisance inflict, painful, itchy bites and can be difficult to exterminate. So always take proper precaution with everything. Use pesticides when possible and follow all directions correctly on how to use, handle and dispose of them.
Insect bites and stings can affect everyone differently, so make sure you have a plan. And everyone knows how to respond in case someone's bitten or stung by an insect, which could include allergic reaction for the safe and effective use of pesticide products. Always read the product label before using the product.
No one to call a professional exterminator or specialist and when to get assistance. It's not uncommon to find beehives in electrical boxes, walls, old boxes and equipment and spiders are often in dark areas such as crawl spaces, attics, and storage rooms. So be careful when opening or accessing an area that you must work in.
In summary, while most insects are small in comparison to a person, they can pose a significant risk to you know what types of insects you may be exposed to if you're allergic to stings and bites, how to respond if bitten or stone, and how to use and properly dispose of pesticides. As always, see your manager or supervisor if you have any questions or need any more information or training.
Be safe, work safe and stay safe. Thanks for watching and listening to this episode.
