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Admin		#1 Posted : 30 May 2007 13:11:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By clare coles Hi We run an operation at Stansted Airport basically a hangar/warehouse). This is a night operation with approx 60 - 100 staff at one time. Unfortunately, birds are able to get inside the premises (pigeons, starlings etc) and create excessive mess on the floor under canopy in work area. Do you know what actual health risk this is? Also, what the company should provide for the staff? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you
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Admin		#2 Posted : 30 May 2007 13:24:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By bob safe I believe you can COSHH assess guano ("poop"), alternatively on an environmentrally sound footing you could adopt some ground dwelling birds such as Quail, who eat the calcium rich guano. I've definetely seen COSHH assessments on it before, can't understand it myself, surely whatever the pooping bird had for lunch that day would affect the assessment. Ever see birds scatter when you bring in a bird of prey with handler? Maybe not to everyone's taste but they don't half keep them at bay.
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Admin		#3 Posted : 30 May 2007 13:33:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Garry Homer I cannot give you the medical reference for it, but there is a serious risk of chest infection resulting from inhaling dried airborne bird droppings. Serious enough to put you in an hospital bed for a few weeks. Garry
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Admin		#4 Posted : 30 May 2007 14:04:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Ady wykes Hi The disease is called HISTOPLASMOSIS. Ady
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Admin		#5 Posted : 30 May 2007 14:05:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Chris Packham Encountered a similar problem some time ago. We resolved this by taking sheets of rubber and pushing nails through at close intervals. These were then attached to any surfaces (girders etc.) that the birds might settle on. Result: Birds went elsewhere and problem largely disappeared. Chris
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Admin		#6 Posted : 30 May 2007 14:15:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Andrew W http://www.ccohs.ca/osha...iseases/psittacosis.html Try following this link its very infomative. Andy
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Admin		#7 Posted : 30 May 2007 14:59:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Alan Haynes Just 'Google' - "pigeon Spikes" for details of this deterrent
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Admin		#8 Posted : 30 May 2007 15:10:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Bob Shillabeer Alan, didn't know you were into bird poo??? Quite right the rail industry has lots of girders under station roofs that it put small spikes onto the top edge of girders, problem almost solved, they stil have the problem of dive bombers. The spikes are available comercially (don't know of a supplier) but I'm sure you will find it on Google somewhere.
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Admin		#9 Posted : 30 May 2007 15:38:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Doug Kelly This disease can also be caused by exposure to pigeon droppings (by inhalation I would guess!) http://www.doctorfungus....hefungi/Cryptococcus.htm
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Admin		#10 Posted : 30 May 2007 15:45:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Jeepster As well as the respiratory hazards, there is also slips and parasites. The best advice is to seal up the holes where possible and get the mess cleaned up before it gets out of hand. I saw one building that had been neglected and there was over a foot deep of the stuff.
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Admin		#11 Posted : 30 May 2007 21:51:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Chris Jerman There is of course a much more permenant solution. Coming from the Air sector, I thought that you'd be familiar with the word 'terminal' Can't you get ATC to just ground them all due to bad weather?
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Admin		#12 Posted : 03 July 2007 16:15:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Lee Mac Hi All, Just one wee further query with regards to the subject of waste- what would one do with the bird waste that is collected. I spoke with an extremely well pest control company and they have claimed that as the waste is non-hazardous. However- we all know the spores are the problem which are created when the waste is disturbed when dry. Anyone who can advise on this subject I would appreciate it. Cheers, Lee
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Admin		#13 Posted : 04 July 2007 11:11:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Jim Walker Google "pigeon fanciers lung"
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Admin		#14 Posted : 04 July 2007 15:57:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By brian mills Hi Clare, I sent you a PowerPoint on the problem and the PPE requirements etc regards Brian
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Admin		#15 Posted : 04 July 2007 16:28:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Jeepster As above the issue is serious, but also piles of poo end up with parasites crawling in there too. Best approach is to stop the birds getting in. Fix holes in the building, self close doors or fit plastic curtains to keep heat in and birds out. It will also save time and effort cleaning up the mess. Also just remembered slips !
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