Page 40 - Occupational Health & Safety, June 2019

NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH
Mosquitoes
Along with summer fun, sadly come pesky mosquitoes. These warm-weather pests also carry dangers such as the Zika virus, West Nile virus, and other mosquito-borne illnesses.
West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in this country. It is most commonly spread to people by an infected mosquito, with the majority of people not developing symptoms; however, approximately 1 in 5 adults may develop a fever, body aches, diarrhea, and other symptoms. According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, approxi- mately 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.
Businesses with employees who work outside should provide education about the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses, sup- ply mosquito repellent or insecticide, and take other steps to reduce the presence of mosquitoes. OSHA and NIOSH offer guidelines for protecting workers from oc- cupational exposure to Zika virus.
According to the American Mosquito Control Association, homeowners and businesses can reduce the number of areas
where adult mosquitoes can live by remov- ing weeds and mowing the lawn regularly. To further reduce adult mosquitoes’ pres- ence, insecticides may be applied to trees, shrubs, and other vegetation regularly. Other suggestions include:
■ Fill or drain puddles, ditches, and swampy areas. Remove or fill tree holes and stumps.
■ Eliminate seepage. Seepage may ac- cumulate near cisterns, cesspools, and sep- tic tanks.
■ Eliminate standing water around the home. Check for trapped water in tarps used to cover boats, pools, etc.
■ Check home improvement sites. En- sure proper backfilling and grading allows for drainage at construction and areas of home improvement.
■ Use insect repellent. To prevent mosquito bites, use Environmental Pro- tection Agency-registered insect repellent with DEET and wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants.
■ Turn up the AC. Turn on air condi- tioning to deter mosquitoes, which prefer warm, damp, and dark spaces.
Fireworks
While fireworks are a traditional part of Independence Day celebrations, OSHA and the National Fire Prevention Asso- ciation generally recommend for them to be handled by professionals. On average, fireworks cause 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and nearly 17,000 other fires, resulting in thousands of injuries each year, NFPA reports.
That being said, some states do sell rec- reational fireworks to consumers. To help reduce risks and injury, here are a few tips from the NSC to keep in mind should you or someone you know decides to use fire- works:
■ Never use fireworks while using drugs or alcohol.
■ Do not allow young children to handle fireworks. All children should have close adult supervision while using them.
■ Use protective eyewear.
■ Never light fireworks indoors.
■ Only use them away from people,
houses, and flammable material.
■ Light only one device at a time, and
keep a safe distance after lighting.
■ Do not ignite devices in or under a
container.
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