Handling Bites and Stings on the Job Site: From Insects to Animals

As a construction worker in Peel Region, Ontario, your work environment is often outdoors, making you susceptible to various bites and stings from insects and animals. Knowing how to handle these incidents can mean distinguishing between minor inconveniences and health emergencies.

Facing the Buzzing Threat

Imagine being high up on a scaffolding, focused on your task when suddenly you feel a sharp sting on your arm. You look down to see a bee flying away. The pain is immediate, and an angry red welt begins to form.

As a construction worker, this scenario could be all too familiar. Bees, wasps, and other stinging insects are common threats on job sites, especially during the warmer months.

Encounters with Crawling Critters

A laborer squats down to pick up a tool and feels a sharp prick on his ankle. Looking down, he spots a spider scurrying away. With a sinking feeling, he realizes he's been bitten. Encounters with spiders, ants, and other biting insects are a reality for construction crews working in outdoor or semi-outdoor environments.

When Larger Animals Pose a Risk

A laborer is clearing debris from a site when he hears a rustle nearby. Suddenly, a raccoon emerges, baring its teeth. Before he can react, the animal lunges and bites his leg. While less common, run-ins with larger animals like raccoons or stray dogs can also pose a risk to laborers, especially on sites near wooded areas or abandoned buildings.

Ensuring Safety from Bites and Stings

A construction supervisor walks the site early in the morning, taking note of potential hazards. He spots a wasp nest near one of the work areas. Recognizing its danger, he immediately alerts his crew and arranges for its safe removal. As a construction supervisor, part of your role is to ensure the safety of your team from all threats, including bites and stings.

The Top Ten Actions Construction Laborers and Supervisors Can Take Against Bites and Stings

1. Stay Calm: Fear can increase your heart rate, which may spread the venom faster if you've been bitten or stung.
2. Identify the Culprit: Identify, the insect or animal that bit or stung you. This information could be crucial for medical treatment.
3. Remove Stinger if Applicable: If a bee stung you and left its stinger behind, gently scrape it out with a credit card or similar object. Avoid using tweezers over the counter, as they can squeeze more venom into your skin.
4. Clean the Area: Wash the bite or sting area with soap and warm water to prevent infection.
5. Apply Cold Compress: A cold pack or cloth filled with ice can help reduce swelling and numb the area, relieving pain.
6. Take Over-the-counter Medication: Non-prescription pain relievers and antihistamines can help manage pain and itching.
7. Monitor Symptoms: Monitor, the site for signs of infection, like increased redness, swelling, or pus. Also watch for symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing, hives, or dizziness.
8. Avoid Scratching: Scratching a bite or sting can cause it to open up, increasing the risk of infection.
9. Use Topical Creams or Ointments: Over-the-counter creams or ointments can relieve, itching and speed up healing.
10. Seek Medical Attention if Necessary: If symptoms worsen, you have a severe reaction, the sting or bite is from a dangerous animal, or the person bitten or stung has health issues, seek immediate medical attention.

Preparing for the Unexpected with Para CPR & First Aid

These scenarios underscore the importance of being prepared for unexpected emergencies. At Para CPR & First Aid, we offer a range of courses, including Blended Standard First Aid & CPR, Blended Emergency First Aid & CPR + AED, Blended CPR BLS Course (HCP/BCLS), Standard First Aid & CPR, and CPR Courses C, A, BLS.

Why Construction Crews Choose Para CPR & First Aid

Our blended courses, which combine online learning with in-person training, are particularly well-suited for busy construction crews. You can complete the theoretical portion at your own pace and convenience while a real paramedic conducts the practical segment. This allows you to learn hands-on skills and ask questions directly to a professional with field experience.