If your workers perform tasks outdoors, they need to know about the bugs of summer. Insects aren't just an annoyance; they pose the risks of allergic reactions and serious diseases. Here's a profile of three of the most common insect menaces your workers are likely to face.

Menace 1: The Mosquito

Hazard: Mosquito bites transmit West Nile Virus (WNV) to humans. The virus spread from New York in 2000 and by 2003, almost 10,000 people in the US were infected.

Symptoms: 99% of individuals infected with WNV become only mildly ill, experiencing flu-like symptoms like fever and muscle aches, and the occasional swollen glands and skin rash. Severe WNV infection can bring encephalitis, which can be fatal. Symptoms of severe infection include:

• Headache;
• High fever;
• Neck stiffness;
• Disorientation; and
• Convulsions.

Treatment: The best way to treat mild WNV infection is to let it run its course. But severe infection requires immediate attention and maybe even hospitalization.

Menace 2: The Bee

Hazard: By "bee" I refer also to hornets and wasps. Many people are allergic to the venom their sting carries. Insect allergy can cause anaphylactic shock, disruption of breathing and of circulatory systems.

Symptoms: The common response to a bee sting involves nothing more serious than local redness, pain and swelling. But for one person in 100, a sting can be much more serious and even fatal. Severe response symptoms include:

• Difficulty in breathing and/or swallowing;
• Dizziness, weakness;
• Hives;
• Vomiting;
• Hoarseness; and
• Drop in blood pressure, shock or unconsciousness.

Treatment: To remove a visible stinger, scrape it off sideways with a credit card or fingernail. Never try to pinch it out; this can inject more venom. For mild reactions, apply ice or baking soda to the sting and take an antihistamine. If hives spread quickly or if the victim experiences difficulty in breathing, get the person to an emergency room immediately. Most deaths from severe reactions occur within 30 minutes.

Menace 3: The Tick

Hazard: Infected blacklegged ticks transmit Lyme disease. The young blacklegged tick is the size of a poppy seed and grows up to be the size of a sesame seed. Usually, the tick must be attached for 36 hours or more before transmitting bacteria.

Symptoms: Early symptoms of Lyme disease appear within three to 30 days and often include:

• "Bull's eye" rash or solid patch expanding near the bite;
• Chills, fever, headache;
• Fatigue;
• Stiff neck;
• Muscle and/or joint pain; and
• Swollen glands.

If untreated, infection can spread to joints, heart and the nervous system, showing up weeks or even years after the bite. Symptoms may include:

• Tingling or numbness in arms and legs; and
• Facial paralysis.

Treatment: If any of the symptoms are experienced, seek medical help. Early treatment with antibiotics almost always results in a full cure.

Prevention Strategies

Of course, the best way to prevent infectious diseases borne by insects is to avoid getting stung or bitten by the bugs that transmit them. Here are some suggestions to share with your outdoor workers. Tell them to:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck their pants into their socks;
• Apply insect repellent to pant legs, socks, shirt and skin;
• Re-apply insect repellent more frequently when they sweat;
• Avoid bright, flowery print clothing;
• Wear light-colored fabrics that are tightly-woven (to keep out ticks); .
• Not use scented toiletries (they attract bugs);
• Keep their food and drinks, especially fruit and soft drinks, covered;
• Watch for mosquitoes in the early morning and evening;
• Check for ticks on and under clothing; and.
• Refrain from swatting at stinging insects or waving their arms about - stay still and let insects fly off on their own.

Conclusion

As long as the weather is pleasant, working outdoors amid the birds and the bees can be very pleasant, too. But not all little creatures are friendly. Teach your crew how to identify and avoid harmful insects and what to do in the event of a bite.

MEMBER REPLY
Re: RV Tire Tips

On the safety hints for RV and checking tire pressure might want to suggest filling tires of RVs, SUVs, pick ups, trailers, etc. with nitrogen. Results are lower operating temperatures - especially if hauling or towing heavy loads, more constant tire pressure, more even and better tire wear, increase fuel economy, etc. Also is less likely to leak through sidewall membrane since it is thicker than air.

Cost per tire is generally pretty cheap as well. My local tire dealer charges only $5/tire with a lifetime agreement - if due to a flat or leakage they refill for free. My last set of tires had nitrogen and I was able to get over 110,000 kms with plenty of tread to spare on tires rated for 80 kms only. During that time I did not lose any tire pressure. Not bad for a $20 investment.

Carried heavy payloads in box as well as towing heavy loads on numerous occasions. The 3 ton dump trailer I use also has nitrogen in the tires.

Need to insure that the Nitrogen specific neon green valve cap is put on and remains for benefit of mechanics.

Ken Cloutier
CAW Local 200
Health & Safety Rep. at Ford Windsor Engine Plant

SAXCIES™ PROFILE
Winner for Safety Hero of the Year: Bernard (Ben) Bruce

Ben Bruce of Luke AFB, 2007 Safety Hero of the Year

Safety professionals from across North America recently gathered in Orlando, Florida to find out who among them had won this year's Saxcies™. But according to the man named Safety Hero of the Year, all finalists were winners.

"I was very honored to be in the company of finalists for the award this year," said Ben Bruce. "I don't consider myself 'the winner.' If you stop and think about it, each of the finalists is already a winner. They were already considered safety heroes, at least to the people that nominated them. They each have done - and I hope will continue to do - great things in the safety community."

We agree. Congratulations to all who were nominated. Now here's a bit about Mr. Ben Bruce.

Category: Safety Hero of the Year

Criteria: The Safety Hero of the Year is awarded to an individual who demonstrates an extraordinary personal commitment to safety both inside and outside the workplace.

The Winner: Bernard (Ben) Bruce of Luke Air Force Base, Arizona

Profile: Mr. Ben Bruce is the ground safety manager for the world's largest fighter wing, with more than 7,000 personnel and 189 aircraft. Known as "The Safety Dude," Ben's led the base through a series of safety program successes and has now fixed his sights on combating the number one killer of active duty military personnel - motor vehicle accidents. Here are just some of the programs he's initiated:

• Operation Focus
• Safe Driver Program for personnel under the age of 26
• Red Means Stop (a city-wide program developed in partnership with the City of Phoenix)
• Intersection Awareness blitz
• Reduce Driving While Intoxicated Incidents
• Motorcycle Training Program

As a result of his programs, Luke's fleet of 855 vehicles experienced zero reportable government motor vehicle accidents or vehicle damage in 2006 and seatbelt usage increased to 97%.

Ben's enthusiasm for safety extends to the local community. As a professional magician, Ben combines magic and safety to create entertaining and effective presentations for schoolchildren; he helped create safety surveys for the city's seniors; and he worked with local police to design and implement programs to address teenage driving issues. Because of Ben's efforts, Luke Air Force Base - and the city beyond - are much safer places to work, live and play.

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