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Tinkerbel7  
#1 Posted : 05 September 2018 13:52:34(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Tinkerbel7

The company I am working for ships in gift products from around the world for resale.  Recently they opened a shipping container to find a few exotic looking spiders that had survived the fumigation process and were on the prowl.  

I can't find much about how to deal with this risk to employees (and others) or any suggestions of emergency procedures to follow, most of the guidance I found talks about COSHH risks of being exposed to the fumigation substances used.

Can anyone help me please?

DaveBridle  
#2 Posted : 05 September 2018 14:06:04(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
DaveBridle

First step would be to engage with a pest control provider.  Try and give them as much detail as possible (photo's, country of origin etc).  They may then be able to advise and possibly deal with the immediate issue.

Second step review your risk assessment with regards to cargo handling and container opening and include details of any findings from the pest controller, who may advise on what creatures you are dealing with - only then can you determine appropriate control measures.  Also including the fumigation exposure.

Third step - arrange for your supply chain to ensure better protection against unwanted pest becoming inadvertantly shipped within the containers.

Just a few immediate thoughts of the top of my head.....  Not sure but there may be a requirement (depending on what species etc. are found) for reporting this to your local authority or similar (environment agency??) for non-native species being found.

A Kurdziel  
#3 Posted : 06 September 2018 08:22:26(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

The Animal and Plant Health Agency are the go to people. Look them up on https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/animal-and-plant-health-agency

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