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SITE-SPECIFIC HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN FOR WELL INSTALLATIONS Other Site Hazards May 4, 2017 5.3.4 Tick Bites Although at least 15 species of ticks occur in Illinois, only a few of these ticks are likely to be encountered by people: American dog tick, lone star tick, blacklegged (deer) tick, brown dog tick and winter tick. The best way to protect yourself against tick-borne illness is to avoid tick bites. This includes avoiding known tick-infested areas. However, if you are working in wooded areas or areas with tall grass and weeds, follow these precautions to help prevent tick bites and decrease the risk of disease: Ios Kerrli)V e Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, boots or sturdy shoes and a head covering. (Ticks are easier to detect on light-colored clothing). Tuck trouser cuffs in socks or tape the area where pants and socks meet so ticks cannot crawl under clothing. Apply insect repellent containing DEET primarily to clothes. Apply repellents sparingly to exposed skin. Do not apply to the face. Be sure and wash treated skin after coming indoors. Use repellents containing permethrin to treat clothes (especially pants and socks and shoes) but not skin. Always follow label directions; do not misuse or overuse repellents. Walk in the center of trails so weeds do not brush against you. Individuals who sit on the ground or disturb leaf litter on the forest floor may encounter ticks. Check yourself frequently for ticks. Most ticks seldom attach quickly and rarely transmit disease organisms until they have been attached four or more hours. If ticks are crawling on the outside of clothes, they can be removed with masking tape or cellophane tape. A ring of tape can be made around the hand by leaving the sticky side out and attaching the two ends. Ticks will stick to the tape which can then be folded over and then placed in the trash. Remove any tick promptly. The mouthparts of a tick are barbed and may remain embedded and lead to infection at bite site if not removed promptly. Do not burn the tick with a match or cover it with petroleum jelly or nail polish. Do not use bare hands to remove the tick because tick secretions may carry disease. The best way to remove a tick is to grasp it firmly with tweezers as close to the skin as possible and gently, but firmly, pull it straight out. Do not twist or jerk the tick. If tweezers are not available, grasp the tick with a piece of tissue or cloth or whatever can be used as a barrier between your fingers and the tick. Ticks can be safely disposed of by placing them in a container of soapy water or alcohol, sticking them to tape or flushing them down the toilet. If you want to have the tick identified, put it in a small vial of alcohol. Wash the bite area and your hands thoroughly with soap and water and apply an antiseptic to the bite site. If you have an unexplained illness with fever, contact a physician. Be sure to tell the physician if you have been outdoors in areas where ticks were present or traveled to areas where tick-borne diseases are common. 30