International Operating Engineer - Summer 2016

Safety & Health
Zika Virus and Working Outdoors this Summer
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
(OSHA) and the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) are monitoring the Zika
virus outbreak and have issued an
Interim Guidance for Protecting
Workers from Occupational
Exposure to Zika Virus.
Zika virus is primarily spread
through the bites of infected
mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can
become infected when they bite
infected persons and can then
spread the Zika virus to other
persons they bite. Aedes species
mosquitoes are the principal
carriers of Zika virus in the United
States. Aedes aegypti (yellow fever
mosquitoes) are typically concentrated
in the southern U.S. as well as parts
of the Southwest (see map). Aedes
albopictus (Asian Tiger mosquitoes)
are found in much of the southern and
eastern part of the U.S. (see map). In
some instances, having contact with
infectious blood or other bodily fluids
of an infected person can result in
transmission of the Zika virus as well.
Approximately one out of five
infected people develop symptoms of
the Zika virus, usually 2-7 days after
exposure. Symptoms are usually
mild and can last 2-7 days. The
most common symptoms of Zika
virus are fever, rash, joint pain,
red or pink eyes, muscle pain, and
headache. You may have also heard
that the Zika virus has been found
to cause neurological problems
in adults. The Brazil Ministry of
Health has reported an increased
number of people who have been
infected with Zika virus who also
have Guillain-Barre Syndrome
(GBS). GBS is an uncommon
sickness of the nervous system in
which a person’s own immune
system damages the nerve
cells, causing muscle weakness, and
sometimes, paralysis. The Center for
Disease Control (CDC) is investigating
the link between Zika and GBS.
Outdoor workers, those doing mosquito control, healthcare workers, and others with potential exposure
to bloodborne pathogens may be exposed to the Zika virus. However, because outdoor workers may be at
the greatest risk of exposure to the virus, OSHA along with NIOSH have developed recommendations for
protecting them from exposure. These recommendations include the following:
• Use insect repellants.
• Wear clothing that covers hands, arms, legs and other exposed skin. Wear hats with mosquito netting
to protect the face and neck. Wear socks/boots that cover the ankles and lower legs.
• In warm weather, wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
• Get rid of sources of standing water (e.g. tires, buckets, cans, bottles, barrels) whenever possible to
reduce or eliminate mosquito breeding areas.
• For females who are or may become pregnant or males who partners are or may become pregnant,
talk to your supervisor about your outdoor work assignments.
• If symptoms develop, seek medical attention promptly. Discuss any possible exposure to mosquitoes
or infections spread by mosquitoes with a healthcare provider.
You have to take into consideration the recommendation along with the type of work you are doing to make
sure the recommendation itself does not create a hazardous work condition. For example wearing loosefitting
clothing if it could be caught in moving parts on a piece of heavy equipment. Heat stress must also
be taken into consideration when wearing clothing that will cover exposed skin during warm/hot weather.
CDC’s Response to Zika
ESTIMATED range of Aedes albopictus
and Aedes aegypti in the United States, 2016*
CA
CA
HI
CS264451-F
OR
OR
HI
WA
NV
WA
NV
ID
AZ
ID
AZ
UT
UT
PR
PR
MT
WY
CO
NM
MT
WY
CO
NM
ND
SD
NE
TX
KS
KS
OK
Aedes aegypti
ND
SD
NE
TX
OK
MN
MN
IA
IA
MO
AR
LA
MO
AR
LA
WI
WI
IL
MS
IL
MS
IN
AL
IN
MI
TN
AL
MI
TN
KY
KY
OH
GA
OH
GA
WV
WV
SC
FL
SC
FL
PA
VA
NC
Aedes albopictus
PA
VA
NC
NY
NY
VT
NH
MA
RI
CT
NJ
DE
MD
ME
VT
NH
MA
RI
CT
NJ
DE
* Maps have been updated from a variety of sources. These maps represent CDC’s
best estimate of the potential range of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in the
United States. Maps are not meant to represent risk for spread of disease.
MD
ME
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are
more likely to spread viruses
like Zika, dengue, chikungunya
and other viruses than other
types of mosquitoes such as
Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
These maps DO NOT show
· Exact locations or numbers of
mosquitoes living in an area
· Risk or likelihood that these
mosquitoes will spread viruses
These maps show
· CDC’s best estimate of the
potential range of Aedes
aegypti and Aedes albopictus
in the United States
· Areas where mosquitoes are
or have been previously found
8
INTERNATIONAL OPERATING ENGINEER
SUMMER 2016 9