Safety Manual | 2022

BL Companies // Corporate Safety Manual //

exists that the Employee may come in contact with poison ivy, wear long pants, long sleeves, boots, and gloves.

REPORTING AND MEDICAL FOLLOW-UP If a tick is identified embedded in the person’s skin or on the surface of what should be protected skin, the event should be reported to the Human Resources Department. In most circumstances, medical treatment of persons who only have a tick bite is not needed. However, individuals who are bitten by a tick should consult with their physician and keep the HR Safety Representative updated on the physician’s diagnosis and if any signs or symptoms of tick- borne disease develop over the week(s) following the tick bite. Mosquitoes Mosquitoes are blood-feeding insects that act as carriers of West Nile Virus, Malaria, Encephalitis, Dengue Fever Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Zika. Mosquitoes incubate their eggs in stagnant water. The best defense against mosquitoes is to avoid being outside when they are actively feeding, just before dawn and around sunset. If this is not possible, chemical and natural insect repellents may be used as a defense. Poison Plant Rash Poison Plant rash is an allergic contact dermatitis caused by contact with an oil that is found in the sap of poisonous plants like poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Contact with the oil can occur in three ways: · Direct contact – touching the sap of the toxic plant. · Indirect contact – touching something on which the oil is present such as tools or equipment that came in contact with the poison plant. · Airborne contact – burning poison plants put the oil particles into the air. When the poison plant’s oil gets on the skin, it begins to penetrate in minutes. A reaction appears, usually within twelve (12) to forty-eight (48) hours. There is severe itching, redness, and swelling, followed by blisters. The rash is often arranged in streaks or lines where the person brushed against the plant. In a few days, the blisters become crusted and take ten (10) days or longer to heal. Poison plant dermatitis can affect almost any part of the body. The rash does not spread by touching it, although it may seem to when it breaks out in new areas. This may happen because the oil absorbs more slowly into skin that is thicker such as on the forearms, legs, and trunk. Prevent getting poison ivy by looking out for the plant and staying away from it. While on construction sites, if the possibility

The various types of poison plants are as follows:

Poison Ivy Poison ivy grows as a vine in the East, Midwest and South. In the far Northern and Western United States, Canada and around the Great Lakes, it grows as a shrub. Each leaf has three leaflets. Poison Oak In the East, it grows as a shrub. In the West, this plant may grow as a vine but usually is a shrub. It has three leaflets to form its leaves’ “hairs.” Poison Sumac Grows in standing water in peat bogs in the Northeast and Midwest and in swampy areas in parts of the Southeast. Each leaf has seven (7) to thirteen (13) leaflets. Giant Hogweed Giant Hogweed is a biennial or perennial herbaceous plant that can grow up to 15 feet tall with leaves 5 feet long. The hollow stems of the plant are 2 to 4 inches in diameter. The sap of Giant Hogweed may cause skin to be more sensitive to sunlight and produce painful blisters.

Snakes Copperheads and rattlesnakes are possible in some areas and are hazardous to one’s health. To minimize the threat of snake bites, wear boots and avoid actions promoting encounters such as moving rocks, debris, and logs. If bitten, try to identify the type of snake and seek medical attention immediately. Stinging Insects Some stinging insects including bees, hornets, wasps, etc. can cause severe allergic reactions that can be life threatening to those who are allergic. Anaphylaxis is a severe systemic allergic reaction resulting from exposure to allergens that is rapid in onset and can cause death. Anaphylaxis is triggered by a wide range of allergens including but not limited to insect stings. Allergic Employees should keep an epinephrine auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen) with them when the risk of insect stings or other severe allergic reaction may be present.

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