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Safety and Health Plan Sandhu Property Tracy, California October 22, 2021 Terracon Project No. NA217074 13 Treating stings If stung by a honeybee that has left its stinger (and attached venom sac) in your skin, remove the stinger within 30 seconds to avoid receiving more venom. A quick scrape of a fingernail removes the stinger and sac. Squeezing the sac should be avoided—this forces more venom through the stinger and into the skin. Hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets do not usually leave their stingers. Try to remain calm, and brush these insects from the skin promptly with deliberate movements to prevent additional stings. Then, quietly and immediately leave the area. If stung by fire ants, carefully brush them off to prevent repeated stings, and leave the area. Fire ant stings usually result in the development of a blister about 24 hours after the sting. The material in this will become cloudy and appear to be pustular. IT IS NOT! Fire ant venom kills bacteria, this is just dead tissue and should be left alone. It will dry and heal within the next 7 – 10 days. If the blister is opened it must be monitored for secondary bacterial infection. Diabetics and others with circulatory disorders, including varicose veins and phlebitis, can be particularly at risk for complications, and should see a physician to monitor their condition after being stung. Up to 50% of patients develop large local reactions at the site of fire ant stings—swelling may last for several days and may be accompanied by itching, redness and pain. Use topical steroid ointments or oral antihistamines to relieve itching. See your doctor if swelling progresses or if the sting site seems infected. Snakes The possibility of encountering snakes exists, specifically for personnel working in heavily wooded/vegetated areas. Avoid walking in areas where snakes may nest or hide. When walking, always look ahead for signs of snakes. Employees should make as much noise as possible when approaching a possible snake area to give snakes time to leave. Use a long handled shovel, heavy equipment or other tools when moving or lifting objects that could be used by snakes as cover. Never reach under or behind objects or into other areas where snakes may hide. Look before placing your hands or feet anywhere, and do not put your hands or feet into places you cannot see. Avoid walking alone in snake-infested areas. Do not go out of your way to disturb or kill a snake. Avoid snakes – living and dead. Even dead snakes can bite reflexively. If an employee is bitten by a snake the following actions are recommended: An attempt should be made to identify the snake. Do not try and capture or kill the snake. The victim should be transported to the nearest hospital within 30 minutes. First aid consists of washing the area around the wound to remove any unabsorbed venom. Keep the victim calm and limit the victim’s physical activity. While limiting movement of the bitten body part, keep the bitten area at the level of the heart.