Occupational Health Watch: June 2018
Insect-Related Risks to Outdoor Workers
A new
fact sheet and
investigation report from the California Department of Public Health's Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program details the death of a date palm tree worker after he was attacked by multiple bees at an organic orchard in Southern California. Aggressive
Africanized honey bees now account for the majority of feral honey bees in this region. Employers can post the fact sheet ā also available in
Spanish ā at work sites.
Outdoor workers in agriculture, landscaping, construction, and other industries are at risk for insect-related illnesses and injuries, including fatal anaphylactic shock and mosquito-borne and tickborne diseases.
A new
Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) discusses the rise of illnesses from certain insect bites, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a
topic page for bites and stings with preventive tips for workers and employers.
Photo: An Africanized honey bee
Resources
Orchard worker dies after he is stung by bees |
Spanish ā FACE fact sheets
Date palm worker dies after being stung by bees ā fatality investigation report
Illnesses on the rise from mosquito, tick, and flea bites ā CDC Vital Signs
Africanized Honey Bees ā CDPH topic page
Insects and Scorpions ā NIOSH topic page
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program website
Email Occupational Health Watch (OHW@cdph.ca.gov) with feedback or change of address.