most important step is to stop work, inspect the injury, and make your way to the nearest ER — especially if you’re unsure of the culprit. “You don’t know if that animal has rabies,” she said. “There might be a chance you’ll need to get rabies shots to prevent the disease. If it’s springtime, though, it’s most likely the bite is com- ing from a mother defending her babies. But, you just don’t know. Always head to the nearest hospital just in case.” BUILDING A SAFER WORK CULTURE Building a safer work culture includes all hazards on the job site, including an- imal-related injuries. From a safety cul- ture perspective, Thierbach recommends that all arboriculture companies imple- ment training and protocols to better pro- tect arborists while out in the field. “Companies should be creating their own presentations that layout the animals lo- cal to their region that their crews might
encounter,” she said. “The best course of action is to educate your crew so they’re more aware of their surroundings.” In addition to familiarizing themselves with local wildlife, Thierbach said tree workers should also be educated on what to do if someone gets bit. “They need to know the plan of action — what to do if you have a boa constrictor wrapped around your leg or your body, and what to do if you get bit by a rac- coon. This is an important educational opportunity for all companies.” At Victorian Gardens, in collaboration with Streamside Green, Thierbach and her colleagues offer annual webinars and classes on topics related to bites, stings, and poisonous plants. “Educate your crew. They have to know your area, because every state is differ- ent. Education, in my opinion, is the foundation for building a safer work cul- ture for everyone,” she concluded.
Pre-hospital Care for Snake Bites If someone is bitten by a snake — ven- omous or not — keep the bite above the heart and plan to transport them to the nearest hospital immediately. If you’re able to, take a picture of the snake from a safe distance to help doctors identify the species, but do not bring a live or dead snake to the facility.
Per the National Snakebite Support, DO NOT: • Allow the patient to drive themselves; • Try to suck out the venom; • Tourniquet the area; or • Pack the extremity with ice.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU OR A CO-WORKER ARE BITTEN
No matter which animal is responsible for a bite, Thierbach said the first and
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