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| Bed Bugs at Work |
The bed bug isn’t just a household pest. Bed bugs have recently been found in stores, movie theatres, hospitals and even the workers’ locker room of New York City’s Empire State Building!
While primarily a problem in residential buildings and places with beds, bed bug infestation at the workplace is now becoming a serious problem. In a recent National Pest Management Association survey, nearly 1 in 5 exterminators reported finding bed bugs in US office buildings (as compared to just 1% in 2007).
How can a workplace get infected with bed bugs? Bed bugs are hitchhikers. So someone with bed bugs at home may inadvertently bring the critters or their eggs to work with them. And co-workers may then bring bed bugs home with them, completing the vicious cycle.
Lots of bad things can happen when bed bugs infest a workplace:
- Workers can get bitten;
- Visitors can get bitten; and
- The bed bugs can hitch a ride with hosts and infest their home and family.
Any and all of these scenarios can hatch a lawsuit. In fact, there has been a steady stream of bed bug lawsuits in the US over the past decade, with at least one lawsuit filed by a worker in connection with a workplace infestation. To the extent that bed bug workplace infestations keep occurring, it’s only a matter of time before employers get bitten.
If you’ve discovered or suspect that there are bed bugs in your workplace:
- Use a professional and experienced pest control service;
- Prepare the areas that need to be treated and explain to workers the process for getting rid of bed bugs;
- Remove and dispose of furniture from the infested areas, such as upholstered chairs and sofas, as soon as possible;
- After pest control, thoroughly inspect the treated areas to assess the treatment’s effectiveness and determine if additional treatment is needed. (With bed bugs, more than one treatment is often required.); and
- To prevent future infestations, seal cracks and crevices; repair or remove peeling wallpaper; tighten loose light switch covers and seal any openings where pipes, wires or other utilities come into the building.
When it comes to preventing bed bug infestation, early detection is critical. So, if a worker or visitor raises a concern, take it seriously and respond promptly. Getting the early jump will enable you to both keep your workplace healthier and manage your liability risks.
Not bugged by bed bugs? How about stinging insects? For your outside workers, stinging and biting insects are an ongoing job hazard. While some stings are just an unpleasant annoyance, they can cause serious illness and death. Your workers’ best defence is awareness, and SafetySmart Online has a number of tools to help, including eLearning, posters, puzzles, images, articles for your company newsletters and safety talks, such as this one. (Subscription to SafetySmart Online is required to access this page.)
Want to Try SafetySmart Online? Request a Free Demo
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| Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Safety Completely Online with Eastern Kentucky University |
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| This online degree program will equip you with the skills to handle personal and environmental risks within the workplace and teach you how to investigate, manage and prevent hazards and threats. Through EKU’s online program, you will have the flexibility to maintain your current lifestyle and career responsibilities while earning your bachelor’s degree. |
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| Picture This! |
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| This motorcycle rider must have attracted some priceless stares of disbelief as he engaged in this act. Where’s a cop when you need one? (Naval Safety Center photo) |
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| US Workers’ Use of Prescription Opiates Climbing |
A major US drug testing company reports that 18 percent more workers tested positive for prescription opiates (painkillers derived from opium) in 2009 than in 2008—and last year’s numbers were up a whopping 40 percent from 2005’s figures.
Quest Diagnostics Inc released those results after testing more than 5.5 million urine samples in 2009.
The company says its 2009 post-accident drug tests found the presence of opiates up to four times more often than pre-employment tests did, suggesting that these drugs may be playing a role in workplace accidents.
“Because more US workers are performing their duties while taking prescription opiates, employers, particularly those with safety-sensitive workers, should note this trend and take appropriate steps to ensure worker and public safety,” says Dr. Barry Sample, Quest’s director of science and technology for employer solutions.
People using prescription opiates may experience euphoria, drowsiness and nausea.
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| October 12, 8:30 AM PDT |
| FREE Webinar: Improving Safety Training with Technology |
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| Join the online community of safety professionals |
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| Choose from over 1000+ posters on over 50 safety topics |
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