Poisoning occurs when a substance is introduced into the body and causes an illness or injury.
Four Types of Poisoning:
1. Ingestion – swallowing
2. Inhalation – breathing
3. Absorption – enters the body by making contact with the skin and being absorbed into the blood/lymph systems.
4. Injection – insect, snake, animal bites/stings
Any type of chemical used in your work areas need to have MSDS sheets for each chemical. These should be kept at the office and work site where the chemical is being used. Vehicles utilized for the transportation of chemicals are required to have an MSDS.
Be sure that the Poison Control phone #1-800-256-9822 is available at all times.
Insects:
Bee
Wasp
Black Widow Spider
Brown Recluse Spider
Tick – Lyme Disease (CNS)
Snakes:
Pit Vipers – Rattle Snake, Water Moccasin, Copper Head – all have hemotoxic venom and affects the blood clotting abilities
Coral Snake – Their venom, like the King Cobra, is a neurotoxin and very deadly. “Red on black; a friend of Jack” – King Snake (harmless)
“Red on yellow; deadly fellow” – Coral Snake (deadly)
90% of all pit viper bites are dry (no venom). Most deaths occur in people that have allergies to anti-venom, or due to heart attacks from fear. Snake venom causes joint pain and flu-like symptoms. (Coral Snake bites are deadly and require treatment with anti-venom).
Treatment for Snake Bite:
Apply a restrictive band above the bite site. Band should not be overly tight – you should be able to insert two fingers under the band.
Allow the site to bleed.
Do not cut, suction or ice the site of the bite.
Poison Ivy, Oak, Sumac:
Contact with Poison Ivy, Oak or Sumac is not life threatening, but could warrant hospitalization in some severe cases.
Accidental Overdose:
Prescription medicine, if taken improperly (i.e. more than prescribed or in addition to other medications or taken with alcohol), can result in an overdose. These patients must be treated at the hospital.
It is advisable for all employers to request that their employees inform them of the medicines that they are taking in the workplace. If you see one of your employees or co-workers acting strangely, you should find out why; it could be for any of the following reasons:
Alcohol
High Blood Pressure
Medications
Heat
Diabetes
Many reactions to medications or other toxins have similar effects:
Difficulty breathing
Tightening of the chest
Sweating profusely
Rapid heart rate
Dizziness
Slurred speech
Remember, if you are working with someone that is having a reaction to poison, overdose or has used illegal drugs/alcohol, you or they could be hurt. If you can recognize these signs in your employees/co-workers, you could the prevent injury or save the life of another.