Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

IOSH Forums are closing 

The IOSH Forums will close on 5 January 2026 as part of a move to a new, more secure online community platform.

All IOSH members will be invited to join the new platform following the launch of a new member database in the New Year. You can continue to access this website until the closure date. 

For more information, please visit the IOSH website.

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error
Pigeon Dirt!
Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
Previous Topic Next Topic
Admin  
#1 Posted : 21 May 2008 11:13:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin
Posted By PDA
Can anyone tell me if there is a immediate danger when working near pigeon droppings? If for instance a contractor was removing pigeon droppings on a roof (apart from the working at height obv!). My limited knowledge could only think there may be a danger of pigeons carrying leptospirosis?

Is there anywhere i could look for this kind of information?
Back to top
Admin  
#2 Posted : 21 May 2008 11:14:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin
Posted By Jonathan Breeze
Psittacosis is the disease to look out for.
Back to top
Admin  
#3 Posted : 21 May 2008 11:19:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin
Posted By BethR
My advice, get a specialist in to remove it. we don't let any of our men near it and get an environmental company into remove it (obviously depending how much there is!!!)
Back to top
Admin  
#4 Posted : 21 May 2008 11:30:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin
Posted By Doug Kelly
You could do a search on www.cdc.gov

or the previous thread:
www.iosh.co.uk/index.cfm...iew&forum=1&thread=15609 - 18k

I believe the possible outcome of messing with this stuff is pretty nasty so would recommend going to a specialist.
Back to top
Admin  
#5 Posted : 21 May 2008 11:47:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin
Posted By Brett Day

Having had Psittacosis, I can honestly say that it's something to avoid.
Back to top
Admin  
#6 Posted : 21 May 2008 11:50:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin
Posted By Jonathan Breeze
The second link by Doug should read:

http://www.iosh.co.uk/in...iew&forum=1&thread=15609

Hope this helps.
Back to top
Admin  
#7 Posted : 21 May 2008 12:37:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin
Posted By Bob Youel

Q-fever is one area to think about as we paid out £5k to a person not long ago who was constantly exposed to such droppings in large qualtities

Common sense should be used at all times and the case noted above was unique considering the events surrounding it
Back to top
Admin  
#8 Posted : 21 May 2008 13:16:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin
Posted By William
I can remember reading that years ago the pigeons or gulls near sellafield had radioactive droppings, I suppose it all depends where you are.
Back to top
Admin  
#9 Posted : 21 May 2008 15:05:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin
Posted By PDA
Thank you all for your help.

I rang the HSE directly earlier (before i had chance to look back on here).

They refereed me to some guidance they have called 'Farm Wise'. It can be found here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/misc165.pdf

This has a section on birds and specifically pigeons (i haven't had chance to read yet but this is what i am told by the HSE). It states to carry out a thorough risk assessment and provide PPE for the job. They did not mention specifics such as RPE etc but obviously this would be beneficial in the protection of workers.
Back to top
Users browsing this topic
Guest
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.

Powered by YAF.NET | YAF.NET © 2003-2026, Yet Another Forum.NET