I'm hoping you can help me with a rat-based query. I have just been made aware of an incident where a dead rat was found in the ceiling cavity above one of our offices. The office is located next to derelict property and the wider building housing the office is known to experience occupancy by the odd rat - its a risk that apparently people in the building are already aware of but it doesn't seem to be being managed well. There had been complaints of scratching/scuttling noises followed by complaints of a persistent foul smell. Pest control had been called to site previously and found no evidence. However, following even more persistent complaints about the worsening smell, a member of our own maintenance team removed a dead and partially decomposed rat from the ceiling cavity. The bodily fluids from the decomposing rat had dripped onto some equipment in the area and had to be cleaned up. There have now been complaints about the same noises and smells again and pest control have been called to site for a second time. We have now requested regular updates and reports from them and I have requested a full risk assessment to be produced due to the likelihood of this occurring again in the future. I have also requested that two pregnant members of staff based in this office are relocated until we receive confirmation that there are no further issues. The issue that I have is that there have reportedly been problems with the way this has been dealt with on site and there is the perception that "this will happen from time to time and its not really a problem". I am trying the softly, softly approach at the moment to change this line of thinking but may need to hit them with a short, sharp shock in terms of potentials for prosecution. Am I right in thinking that this would fall under sections 2, 36 and 37 of HASWA? Has anyone else encountered a similar problem and can give me any advice on systems to put in place to manage in addition to regular inspections by pest control? Thanks for your help - and apologies for being a little gruesome!! Nic

No, you're right - its completely unnecessary. Apologies, I should have explained a little better. Its not particularly the rat problem that's concerning me. Now that I know about it I can make sure we put processes in place to manage it. There is a problem with the culture in parts of the maintenance team that mean they don't view things like this as important. There is also a senior manager involved who is of the same opinion. The reason I was looking at the potential for prosecutions is to explain how important it is for us to manage things like this better. Hope this makes more sense.

My brother lives on top of a hill in a detached property. Next door is similar but occupied and owned by a chap living on his own. Maintenance of his property is not a strength he has - hence rats are continually a pest in my brothers property. He lays traps with bait to get rid of the rats. The bait comes in the form of cubes and was bought over the last 18 months from a well known garden centre chain. Until last week that is - the cubes were not on the shelves so he enquired if they had run out of stock and when they would next be available. My brother was informed the cubes had been taken off the market due to a complaint that the rats were dieing in agony. What is he meant to do? Rich

Jag blocks are only sellable to professional users, it says it on the container. The active ingredient is highly toxic to all mammals. Which also includes us. Rodent problem? Call in a professional. The local council tends to either do it, or can recommend someone who knows what to do.

James is quite right. As they say in the Food Industry... Leave it to the professionals.

As long as you have professional help available in case someone ingests the product, other than a rat that is. Mind you, they do take a while to bleed to death....so I suppose you have time..

Please do not put out anti freeze! Cats especially love anti freeze as it is very sweet and results in the pet dying in agony over a couple of days to the distress of the owner.