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Joanne  
#1 Posted : 17 August 2012 15:56:23(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Joanne

A really frustrating problem - some staff are complaining that they are receiving insect bites whilst in the workplace. The individuals believe that the little blighters are coming in with the stock, although we do have windows and doors open during the warmer weather.

We engage an external contractor to treat all our units routinely and have discussed with our suppliers who assure us that no living creatures can withstand the processes they subject the materials to.

Two questions really :

- Should insect bites be entered in the accident book (we do at the moment, but I often wonder if they are work related??)
- What else can we do (other than close the windows and doors and make everyone wear long sleeves/trousers)

Thanks all - hope I've not made you too itchy :)
Zimmy  
#2 Posted : 17 August 2012 16:01:08(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Zimmy

I don't think so Joanne. When I worked for local gov. we used to get the odd 'flea visit'. but I don't recall anyone bitten putting it in the accident book.

I may well be wrong here.
Nikki-Napo  
#3 Posted : 17 August 2012 16:05:54(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Nikki-Napo

If I was being bitten by insects at work, I think I'd be inclined to get myself some insect repellant lotion, and apply that.

I wouldn't put it in the accident book.
Joanne  
#4 Posted : 17 August 2012 16:10:02(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Joanne

Thanks, believe it or not, we have had a claim submitted for "insect/flea bites" which I am hopeful will be rejected. But just wanted to make sure that I'm not missing anything obvious.

sean  
#5 Posted : 17 August 2012 16:10:28(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

Joanne we get our staff to fill in an accident report form so we are able to spot trends, Zimmy almost hit the "nail" on the head by mentioning fleas, what we have found is that the staff bring them in from home off their pets, we proved this by relocating a whole team who were complaining of bites so we moved them, the problem followed them.
Put some Flea traps down and check them after a few days you might be surprised.

Sorry Zimmy couldn't resist!
Canopener  
#6 Posted : 17 August 2012 16:15:44(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Canopener

Joanne, I am wondering what sort of work you are engaged in (for them to come in with the 'stock')?

A claim for an insect bite? Love em!!!! And the 'loss' or injury (worthy of quantifying for the purposes a claim) is?


Right now off home to go and have a bath in sheep dip!
Zimmy  
#7 Posted : 17 August 2012 16:16:35(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Zimmy

Do they make flea traps Sean size?... Hope so...I have to tread softly though!!! Don't want to trip when I sneak up on him...

:-) have a good weekend all... except sean, natch :-)
bilbo  
#8 Posted : 17 August 2012 16:17:51(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bilbo

Joanne - are you sure they are insect bites? There is a phenomena I recall being reported that actually came down to static electricity being the cause of so called "bites". What sort of environment are those reporting the bites working in? Have you had pest control advice and if so have they been able to identify the culprits.
Joanne  
#9 Posted : 17 August 2012 16:27:27(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Joanne

Yep, were fairly sure they are bites, especially as it only happens when the weather in good, so not very frequently this year,
(there is a bright side to having a lousy summer!) The stock I'm referring to is rolls of material, however, the cardboard sheets used for packing sometimes takes the blame too. Should I be offering insect repellant as an additional control measure, although I have to say, I think the bringing them in from home suggestion is the most likely. Although, it is a little bit tricky to suggest that to the "injured" parties!!
Steve e ashton  
#10 Posted : 17 August 2012 16:42:17(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Steve e ashton

Joanne: there was thread some time ago complaining of similar summer-type bites - then attributed to 'spider bites'... One alternative may be 'carpet bugs' which are actually fibre inhections from artifical fibre... See here:
http://forum.iosh.co.uk/...aspx?g=posts&t=67136
Steve
chris.packham  
#11 Posted : 17 August 2012 17:44:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris.packham

Some years ago I was asked to investigate a case in a warehouse of insect bites. The GP had stated that these were definitely insect bites. The workforce were insistent that these were from cardboard fleas that came in with the packaging. It only happened in warm weather, of course. Investigation showed that the real cause was friction between bare arms and the cardboard. Of course, bare arms were only found in warm weather! I was in conversation with an occupational physician who commented that he had just investigated a claim for compensation due to problems with chocolate moths. Wonderfully inventive, some people. If only that creativity could be put to good use.

Chris
P.S. It may be Friday, but these are true cases!!!
Snow Time  
#12 Posted : 24 August 2012 16:39:42(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Snow Time

I thought I was alone when someone entered a bee sting in the accident book. The person was engaged with an outdoors activity and was quite insistant that we, as his employer, took the matter seriously and implemented preventative measures to stop further occurences.
After checking that there wasn't a swarm or nest of bees in the locality we came up with a simple two word answer. The second one being "off"!
A Kurdziel  
#13 Posted : 28 August 2012 10:11:55(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

We do record insect bites. This is because we house the National Bee Unit and people do get stung (but we are not always certain whose bees are doing the stinging). We have had to introduce control measures such as banning mowers and other noisy machines from being used near the hives.
We also have inspectors and scientists who visit hives and are also at risk of being stung. We have had a couple of people develop nasty anaphylactic shock in relation to this work, so again we need to keep an eye on it. One interesting case was of someone who was stung by bee in France while doing some work for us and they developed a nasty reaction. Was that a RIDDOR? (reported it as such)
We also have people working in woods, moorland etc, and this year we have had a number of people bitten by ticks, which might carry Lyme’s disease.
We have never had problems in offices ( despite having our own breeding colonies of insects) apart from people have complaining of ‘cable bugs’ , which is actually people feeling the effects of static electricity in warm dry offices with synthetic carpets.
User is suspended until 03/02/2041 16:40:57(UTC) Ian.Blenkharn  
#14 Posted : 28 August 2012 10:28:08(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ian.Blenkharn

There are just a few circumstances where this can be more serious.

Those dealing with imported materials originating from more exotic regions can find themselves facing a variety of exotic creepy crawlies. Though it receives less attention that a lizard or large spider, flying insets are not uncommon in this situation.

Airport malaria is a particular and well-recognised example. Baggage handlers open the hold of an incoming jet returning holidaymakers from exotic climes are bitten by a hungry malaria mosquito.

This presents a particular challenge for local GPs. Faced with a feverish patient who has not been out of the UK for years, malaria is unlikely to be at the top of a differential diagnosis in circumstances where delay in effective treatment can, in extremis, prove fatal!

If anyone wants more information, use the appropriate bibliographic search systems to seek information from the properly peer-reviewed journal and textbook sources.
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