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aclark  
#1 Posted : 28 September 2010 11:16:17(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
aclark

Hi Everyone,
Its been a long time since i've been on here but i need some friendly advice!
I'm currently doing an FM role in Coventry and one of the departments have been getting bitten. I have contacted the pest control company who will attend site on Wednesday.
There have been 4 people bitten in that department and the manager has been logging them in the accident book.
Should he be doing this because although its happening at works it's not actually an accident!
I called the HSE on this and they were as clear as mud!

Thanks
:-)
sean  
#2 Posted : 28 September 2010 11:23:26(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

We record bites in our workplace, firstly so we have an oversight of the area affected, and secondly just in case of infection.
we have come to the conclusion that the staff are bringing the fleas in with them transferred from their pets.
We also lay down flea traps and check them on a regular basis.
So in short you should record insect bites.
m  
#3 Posted : 28 September 2010 12:01:01(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
m

I would be inclined to record them. They can lead to infection caused at the workplace as stated above.

Accident forms are a trigger for benefit claims though this would be an unlikely consequence.
Ron Hunter  
#4 Posted : 28 September 2010 12:07:19(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ron Hunter

Always assuming these are actually insect bites. Static electric shock can create the same sensation, often reported as "I've been bitten!"
Fletcher  
#5 Posted : 28 September 2010 12:12:57(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Fletcher

At my last company we recorded bites, mostly from flying insects.
One case we reported as a RIDDOR because the IP had to be taken to hospital and was away from work for a week due to a very severe allergic re-action.
I am sure others can come up with arguments against recording bites but we recorded more to establish trends and see if there really was a problem. In the end we established that there was a small problem (5 stings over a six month "summer" period with one adverse reaction) but not as large as the workforce perceived.
Simple control measures were agreed and put in place rather than the 80k solution that the workforce originally wanted.
So recording bites work for the company and eased the worries of the workforce.

Take Care
kev3152  
#6 Posted : 28 September 2010 13:57:20(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
kev3152

If anyone wants to follow Ron's line of enquiry why not try googling 'cable bug'. It can be a lot cheaper sorting out static build up (and safer) than spraying the building with a wide spectrum insecticide and upsetting most of your employees :-)
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