We currently have a project in a domestic property that is occupied. A few crack repairs and redecoration. One of the operatives has reported that he has been bitten just above his boots. These have come up in some lovely looking blisters. He has been to the pharmacy and got some cream and been advised to keep an eye on them to ensure that he doesn't need antibiotics. The property owner doesn't have animals so it shouldn't be fleas and he seems to be the only one affected so we don't know what's bitten him. What would everyone else class this as? i.e. accident? and, apart from removing him from site, what is the best course of action for now and future projects?

People often think they have been bitten when really they have got some sort of contact irritation eg from an irritant substance, fibres and so on. I would establish the facts before doing anything. Was the skin exposed? You should do a risk assessment and specify appropriate PPE.

This could be anything. You have no confirmation of actual bites as oppose to blistering, which could be some form of reaction to a substance in the area. And of course different people react in different ways and it could be an allergic reaction, to something in the person’s house even a cleaning product. No point looking at PPE yet, but you should monitor the situation and see if anyone else develops similar symptoms. Your guys should also be warning to look out for signs of infestation of things like fleas (the current owner might not have any animals but a previous owner might have and the fleas would have left eggs and pupae which might have just hatched out)