Mosquitoes a threat to outdoor workers

Page 13

With the possibility that this spring and summer will see the return of the West Nile virus to Saskatchewan, the provincial department of Labour has issued advice to help outdoor workers protect themselves from contracting the virus.

The West Nile virus is contracted primarily by being bitten by a mosquito infected with the virus. And while there have been no cases of people being infected in Saskatchewan so far, a number of dead birds tested positive for the virus in the province last year.

While the risk of contracting the West Nile virus is low, the department's Occupational Health and Safety Division suggests employers of workers who work outdoors should develop a written plan for protecting their them, and then take steps to implement the plan and train workers on the contents of the plan.

That plan should identify which outdoor workers may be at greater risk of coming into contact with infected mosquitoes, due to either the work they are doing or the location they are doing it in. It should also give employees information about the virus, including how it is spread, what the symptoms are, and how they can reduce their risks by limiting the amount of outdoor work they do at the times when mosquitoes are most active-at dawn and dusk and during weather that is still, warm, cloudy and humid-and in areas where mosquito populations are usually higher-near stagnant water and in shaded areas.

The plan should also include steps to reduce the numbers of mosquitoes in a work area, by eliminating standing water wherever possible.

Employers are also advised to encourage their outdoor employees to dress in clothing that protects them from mosquito bites-light-colored long sleeve shirts, pants, high boots, and hats, and even mosquito net and clothing made of special mesh material.

The plan should also address the safe and proper use of insect repellants.

For more information about Saskatchewan Labour's advice on protecting outdoor workers from the West Nile virus, visit the department Web site at http://www.labour.gov.sk.ca/whatsnew/westnilevirus.htm. For the most recent information about reported cases of West Nile virus in your area, visit the Health Canada Web site at www.hc-sc.gc.ca, or the Web site of the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre at http://wildlife.usask.ca/WestNileAlertHTML/WestNileAlert2003Eng.htm.