Safety Training - West Nile virus threatens outdoor workers

West Nile virus, which is spread to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes, can cause severe symptoms from a single bite – from high fever and neck stiffness to coma, tremors, vision loss and paralysis.

Outdoor workers face the greatest risk, including farmers, foresters, landscapers, roofers, painters and construction workers.

The mosquito threat is greatest in the summer, and continues through September, as long as the weather stays warm.

NIOSH provides employers with the following tips on protecting workers:

* provide training that describes how the virus is transmitted.
* stress the importance of reporting all work-related injuries.
* provide a medical surveillance system that monitors the symptoms.
* provide workers with protective clothing and repellents.
* reduce worker exposure to mosquitoes by not having them work outdoors when mosquitoes are most active.
* eliminate as many standing sources of water as possible to decrease the mosquito population.

Groundskeeping and outdoor workers also face other types of occupational risks. Keep them safe by learning more about Coastal's safety training programs.