PPE Series
Hidden Hazards in the Canopy Eight-Legged Threats By Mara Watts
ard assessments, and first aid for stings and bites. But above all, the webinars stress the need for arbor- ists to research local wildlife, and to educate themselves on potential haz- ards to ensure safety in their work. “Arborists aren’t without hazards,” Thierbach shared. “You need to know what you’re dealing with, and what you should be looking for. Keep your eyes peeled for things like squir- rels, ticks, spiders, water moccasins, snakes, alligators, hornets…I could go on and on.”
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably seen recent headlines warning the public about serious tickborne illnesses. Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) and Lyme disease are affecting thousands across the country, and outdoor workers are at an especially elevated risk. With the complications of these diseases rang- ing from severe gastro-intestinal dis- tress to anaphylaxis, the risk of tick bites cannot be understated. To help mitigate such risks, Dawn Thierbach, ISA Certified Arborist and co-proprietor of Victorian Gardens, develops and conducts webinars in collaboration with Streamside Green to educate arborists about the hidden hazards crawling and buzzing about the canopy. “We developed the webinars during COVID because CEUs weren’t avail- able at the time,” she explained. “We wanted to provide arborists with safety information focused on com- mon encounters with insects and animals.” During the webinars, educators em- phasize the importance of PPE, haz-
To continue our safety series on bites and stings, this article will take an in-depth look at ticks and spiders including where certain species live, common disease and bite symptoms to watch for, and helpful tools and equipment you can use to protect yourself from a bite. ARACHNID BITES: TICKS & SPIDERS Tick Bites In recent headlines, tickborne ill- nesses – such as Alpha-gal syndrome and Lyme disease – have been a hot
Just as important is performing a job briefing before work begins. In do- ing so, you might spot a web, nest, hive, or eggs, in- dicating a wildlife hazard is present. Depending on the animal or insect, you may choose to
and concerning topic. The CDC estimates that nearly 450,000 people in the United States may be affected by AGS , while over 89,000 cases of Lyme disease were reported by state health departments and the District of Columbia in 2023 alone.
delay work until the hazard has been properly removed by local wildlife professionals or an exter- minator.
These debilitating and potentially life-threatening conditions are in- creasing across the United States and are often the result of a tick bite.
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