Insects, Snakes, Plants & Other Biological Hazards
Outdoor and renovation workers run into living hazards too: ticks and mosquitoes that carry disease, stinging insects, snakes, poisonous plants, and fungi in soil and droppings.
- Construction
- Landscaping
- Utilities
Common hazards
| Hazard | Risk | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Ticks | Lyme disease and other illnesses | Repellent (DEET, picaridin, permethrin on clothing), long pants tucked in, daily tick checks |
| Mosquitoes | West Nile and other viruses | Repellent, long sleeves, drain standing water |
| Bees, wasps, fire ants | Painful stings; deadly allergic reactions | Look before you reach into voids; tell coworkers about allergies; carry epinephrine if prescribed |
| Venomous snakes and spiders | Bites | Watch where you step and reach; wear boots and gloves; leave snakes alone |
| Poison ivy, oak, sumac | Severe rash | Learn to spot them; cover skin; wash skin and tools soon after contact; never burn them |
| Bird and bat droppings | Histoplasmosis and other lung infections | Wet down droppings, wear respirators, avoid dry sweeping in attics and old buildings |
| Rodent droppings | Hantavirus | Ventilate, wet with disinfectant before cleanup, wear a respirator in crawl spaces and sheds |
| Soil fungus (Southwest) | Valley fever | Dust control during digging; respirators |
Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction): swelling of face or throat, trouble breathing, hives, dizziness. Use an epinephrine auto-injector if available and call 911.
Standards & references
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