A common sense approach to job safety

Overall learning objectives for this chapter

• Identify risks associated with the presence of nuisance wildlife and with wildlife control techniques.
• Understand how to protect yourself from falls, bites, heat stress, and wildlife diseases.
• Know which protective gear and safety equipment belongs in the NWCO "wardrobe."
• Be familiar with the wildlife diseases that you're most likely to encounter.
• Feel confident you can answer the common questions customers ask about wildlife diseases.
• Know who to contact if you're dealing with a sick animal.
  
  

Relax, but don't fall asleep at the wheel.

"Had this squirrel job in an old house. I stepped off my ladder onto the metal roof, and pow! Those squirrels must have chewed through some wires that were touching the roof. The entire thing was electrified. I was lucky I didn't fall off the roof."

—Eric, NWCO in Connecticut

Chapter Overview

Throughout this chapter, we'll discuss risks related to NWCO work or the presence of wild animals inside homes or businesses. In most cases, you'll be called in after an animal has caused damage. The risk is easy to understand because the results are right there. What about those times when you see evidence of possible problems?

What's the worst that could happen? How likely is it? Can the situation be prevented? These are the kinds of questions that will help you put things into perspective. For example, wildlife in the Northeast could potentially expose a person to about 200 different diseases. We'll only discuss nine of them because the chances of being exposed to the others are very low.

NWCOs are more likely to be hurt by a car accident or a fall from a ladder than from a wildlife-related disease, but it's West Nile that makes the news, isn't it? We hope this chapter will help you better understand the risks posed by your work, so you can make good choices.

Section one: Risks faced by customers - Learning objectives

• List four risks that nuisance wildlife pose to your customers' health and safety.
• Identify an example of wildlife damage that might concern a: business owner, apartment dweller, wildlife biologist, home owner, farmer, or government official.
• Name two ways a method used to remove wildlife pests can be dangerous to the environment and people.

Section two: Risks that come with your job - Learning objectives

• Draw a diagram showing the recommended way to position a ladder against a building.
• List three tips for the safe use of ladders.
• Define "zoonotic disease" and "zoonoses."
• Describe the type of clothing that will help you avoid being stung by insects.
• Name six warning signs of heat stroke and one way to prevent it.
• List three ways to quickly cool down someone who's suffering from heat stress.
• Identify the best way to protect yourself from a tetanus infection.

Overview

Even some of the equipment used to remove wildlife can be dangerous, so it's sensible to stay alert to the latest information about the safe and effective use of traps, firearms, and ladders.

This section briefly discusses some of the safety issues you'll confront on the job and describes tips for avoiding accidents. For more detailed information, check the U.S. OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Authority) website, or some of the other resources listed in the NWCO Resources section.

Section three: Common sense precautions require some uncommon gear (Safety equipment) - Learning objectives

• List the safety equipment you're likely to use when working in an attic.
• Identify the kind of gloves worn to handle: large mammals, small mammals, birds, and snakes.
• Know which government agency rates respirators.

Section four: What you need to know about wildlife diseases - Learning objectives

• Know which zoonotic diseases are found in the Northeast, how they’re spread, and which symptoms are seen in wildlife and people.
• Recognize the signs of a disease hot spot.
• Understand how to reduce your chances of catching a wildlife disease.
• Know which vaccinations you should receive because you’re a NWCO.
• Understand what you are required to do by law when handling an animal that’s likely to be rabid.

Higher, deeper, further...optional activities to explore other perspectives about this topic

Section one: Risks faced by your customers

• Walk around your neighborhood and look for signs of wildlife damage.
• Start a file of newspaper clippings of stories about nuisance wildlife problems.
• Ask your friends, neighbors, or local business people if they've experienced any losses caused by wildlife.

Section two: Risks that come with your job

• Check the OSHA website for more information about fall protection. Write the best tips on an index card, laminate it, and attach it to the visor of your truck.
• Contact the Red Cross for more ideas about how to prevent or treat heat-related illnesses.
• Find out which types of wasps most frequently sting people. Are there any harmless insects that could be mistaken for them?
• Seek training in first-aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

Section three: Common sense precautions require some uncommon gear (Safety equipment)

• List the safety equipment you're likely to use when working in an attic.
• Identify the kind of gloves worn to handle: large mammals, small mammals, birds, and snakes.
• Know which government agency rates respirators.

Review questions

Section two: Risks that come with your job

1. Diseases that people can catch from animals or from contact with their habitats are called

a. "epinotic diseases"

b. "zooposies"

c. "zoonotic diseases"

d. "mammalian diseases"

2. If a ladder is placed 20 ft. high, the base of the ladder should be

a. 20 feet from the side of the building

b. 10 feet from the side of the building

c. 5 feet from the side of the building

d. firmly attached to the building

3. Wear colorful clothing to avoid being stung by insects. (Circle correct answer)

True

False

4. The odds of falling are related to

a. your weight and height

b. the condition of the ladder

c. weather conditions

d. type of shoes worn

e. more than one answer is correct

5. What's the best way to prevent suffering from heat stroke or heat exhaustion if you have to work in a hot attic?

a. take a break every hour and drink one quart of water

b. finish up the job quickly so you can go get a drink

c. wear protective gear

d. schedule jobs for late in the afternoon

Answers

1. c
2. c (apply the 4:1 ratio. 20 ÷ 4 = 5)
3. false
4. e (The condition of the ladder and weather conditions affect your chances of falling. Your height and weight don't. Shoes play a minor role. Some types might provide better traction on some kinds of roofs, but it would be impractical to change your shoes throughout the day.)
5. a

Chapter review questions

1. You've been hired to remove a raccoon from the rafters of a warehouse that's located in a city. Which safety issues should you consider when setting up the job? (Check all those that apply.)

__ mange

__ tetanus

__ rabies

__ bites

__ toxoplasmosis

__ raccoon roundworm

__ falls

__ distemper

__ heat stress

__ histoplasmosis

__ hantavirus

__ Lyme disease

__ West Nile virus

2. And what safety equipment would you use to protect yourself in this situation? (Again, check all that apply.)

__ respirator

__ helmet

__ gloves

__ restraining device

__ water bottle

__ trap

__ ladder brace

__ ropes or bungee cords

__ disposable clothing

3. There are no animals currently present, but which of these wildlife diseases might you still encounter while working in an attic?

__ mange

__ tetanus

__ rabies

__ toxoplasmosis

__ raccoon roundworm

__ distemper

__ heat stress

__ histoplasmosis

__ hantavirus

__ Lyme disease

__ West Nile virus

4. While working on a roof trapping squirrels, you notice children taunting a dog on the street below. Even from this distance, you can see that the dog is skinny, its fur is patchy, and it's uncoordinated. The dog runs into a fire hydrant. You have a bad feeling about this situation. Who would you call?

a. university professor

b. veterinarian

c. animal control officer

d. health department

e. police

f. doctor

g. another NWCO

h. animal shelter

i. wildlife rehabilitator

j. TV station—this could be your fifteen minutes of fame!

5. A business owner hires you to remove pigeons that have been fouling cars in her parking lot. She's worried that her customers might be exposed to rabies. You tell her:

a. The customers probably didn't get too close to the pigeons, so the chance of exposure is low. I wouldn't worry about it.

b. Birds don't carry rabies.

c. Pigeons are nocturnal, so the customers won't be nearby when the birds are active.

d. I drive past this lot every day and hardly ever see a car. And by the way, can I have a deposit?

e. To play it safe, call the health department. They'll probably want to interview all of your customers.

6. Airport staff are worried about risks posed by wildlife. They've written the following list. Briefly explain how one of these problems might happen.

Financial: potential damage to airplanes

Safety: plane crashes; failure of traffic control system

Health: sparrows flying inside buildings: disease? mice droppings in kitchen; worker safety?

Answers

1. Things to consider include tetanus, rabies, bites, raccoon roundworm, falls, heat stress, histoplasmosis, and hantavirus.

• Tetanus: because of the chance of hurting yourself on a nail
• Rabies: raccoons are commonly infected, so you should approach all raccoons with caution
• Bites: especially if you use something other than a trap to capture the animal
• Raccoon roundworm: if you clean up raccoon droppings, watch out for later hand-to-mouth contact
• Falls: if you need to use a ladder to get into the attic
• Heat stress: a concern in a confined space, especially during the summer
• Histoplasmosis and hantavirus: raccoons don't carry either of these diseases, but it's possible that an attic that's infested by raccoons is also home to mice, birds, or bats. Be cautious around any droppings, whether they're from rodents, birds, or bats.

2. There's a certain degree of personal choice in this answer, unless you're covered by OSHA regulations. All of the listed items might be useful for some situations. There's no universal approach, so you may wish to have a variety of safety devices in your truck, so you can choose the ones best suited for each job.

• To protect yourself from falls: ladder brace, ropes or bungee cords, helmet (but you might not need any of them if there's a staircase to the attic)
• To reduce the risk of exposure to wildlife diseases: gloves, respirator, disposable clothing, restraining device, trap
• To prevent heat stress: water bottle

3. histoplasmosis, hantavirus, raccoon roundworm

• Histoplasmosis: this is an airborne disease. The mold spores are microscopic and could be present in bird or bat droppings.
• Hantavirus: another airborne disease that could be encountered if you disturb mouse nesting materials or droppings, especially under dry conditions.
• Raccoon roundworm: the parasite's eggs, which are microscopic, are found in raccoon droppings.
• Rabies: Transmission usually occurs through bites, or when handling the animal.
• Mange: people usually pick up the mites by handling a mangy animal.
• Tetanus: not a wildlife disease.
• Toxoplasmosis: transmitted by the "dirty hand-to- mouth," "put dirty object in mouth," or "eat contaminated food" routes. This is the disease that most people catch through direct contact with cat litter, contaminated soil, or by eating raw or undercooked meat. You're not likely to encounter this parasite in an attic.
• Distemper: probably an airborne disease.
• Heat stress: not a wildlife disease.
• Lyme disease: not likely to find the deer tick in an attic.
• West Nile virus: not likely to be bitten by a mosquito in an attic.

4. c,d,e,g are correct.

Sounds like you're dealing with a stray dog that could have mange (fur loss) and rabies (running into an object). The kids are provoking the dog, which could cause even a healthy animal to attack. It's important to quickly restrain and isolate the animal.

Many of the people listed could provide information about these wildlife diseases, but some are better equipped to respond to the actual emergency than others. For assistance, try calling: the local animal control officer; police; health department; another NWCO.

5. b

All of the other answers are false. People sometimes walk right up to pigeons. Pigeons are diurnal (active during the day). We know you wouldn't say that (even if you're thinking it). A deposit's not a bad idea. Some NWCOs require that of all their customers. The health department wouldn't waste its time talking to people about rabies transmission from birds because it doesn't happen.

6.

• Financial risk: bird strikes a plane and damages it.
• Safety risks: bird strike causes pilot to lose control of plane, resulting in accident. Rodents chew wires, causing electrical failure, so traffic control system fails.
• Health risk: workers are exposed to birds, rodents, in planes or airport buildings. Severe infestations might expose workers to wildlife diseases.

Handbook Contents

Introduction

• Understanding Nuisance Wildlife
• The Business Side

Needs of People and wildlife

• Six Questions NWCOs must ask

Federal Laws and Regulations

• New York State Wildlife Control Laws
• Local Regulations for Wildlife Control

Safety Risks for Customers

• Job Risks
• Safety Gear
• Carcass Disposal
• Wildlife Diseases

Best Practices for Wildlife Control

• Assess the Situation
• Choose Management Options
• Tools and Techniques
• Preventing Problems
• Evaluating Success

Professionalism Resources for NWCOs

Disclaimer

This manual was written as a guide to train nuisance wildlife control operators in New York State. Laws and regulations may differ in your state. Always consult local and state laws before implementing wildlife damage management activities.

Contact Information

Contact your local Extension Office

Resources

Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management
National Wildlife Control Operator's Association
Wildlife Control

Acknowledgments

We thank the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for contributing this information.

Produced by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the NYS Integrated Pest Management Program.