Bites and Stings from Spiders, Fleas, Wasps, Bees and Ticks

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Letter to Branches




No. 092/14
Ref: E6/14
Date: 11 January 2014


To: All Branches

Bites and Stings from Spiders, Fleas, Wasps, Bees and Ticks - Recording on ERICA (Royal Mail Group Electronic Accident Book):
 
A decision taken by the Royal Mail Group Accident Management Unit to cease allowing
members to record bites and stings on ERICA (The Royal Mail Group Electronic Accident
Book) has been reversed, following representations to the Royal Mail Group Director of
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Shaun Davis.
 
The Health, Safety & Environment Department made it clear that Royal Mail must accept
that in an organisation as big as Royal Mail, the risk of bites and stings from Spiders,
Fleas, Wasps, Bees and Ticks etc exists and that a small number of employees will fall
victim to such incidents, as CWU certainly does.
 
Stings or bites can be caused by midges, gnats, horseflies, bees, wasps, ants, spiders, fleas, lice, etc. Wasps cause the most allergic reactions in the UK. One or more stings, over a period of time, may be required from a particular insect to sensitise the immune system and cause an allergic reaction.  It's impossible to predict the outcome of the next sting for any individual and whether the individual will suffer the same response to the venom.
 
The issue is that historically bites and stings have always been recorded in the Accident
Book and subsequently on the ERICA system and as Area Safety Reps will know this
issue was raised at the recent Royal Mail/CWU series of joint Regional "Drains-Up"
Roadshow meetings.
 
Therefore these incidents should now continue to be recorded on ERICA as firstly there
is no good reason why they shouldn't be, secondly they always have been recorded,
thirdly the  individual has a legal right to record such incidents and finally Bee stings,
Wasp stings, Spider and Tick bites can be very painful, and in some people can cause a
dangerous allergic reaction or infection which doesn't always manifest itself immediately.
The effects in some cases can be profound.
 
Recording bites and stings also protects both the individual employee and Royal Mail for
that matter, should there be any complications and sick leave incurred.

Additionally, both the Royal Mail Group Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing and the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department agree that reporting bites and stings on ERICA also formulises the requirement for managers to investigate and rectify the issues raised.  This might be in the form of arranging for the removal a wasp nest or swarm of bees from a work location or collection point for example. 

During the discussions around bites and stings it was agreed that these must be
recorded on ERICA as provided for by the system and has historically been the case.
It was also recognised that in the big picture of things the number of these incidents will
be relatively small and there is no point in not recording them unless the focus is on
lowering the statistics rather than recording the facts and addressing the problems.
make the statistics look better!
 
HSE and RoSPA define that ‘an accident’ may be defined as: “An unplanned, uncontrolled event which has led to or could have led to ill health or injury to people, damage to plant, machinery or the environment and/or some other loss." Stings or bites clearly qualify under that description.
 
Bites and Stings Risks in the UK from Spiders, Fleas, Wasps, Bees and Ticks.
 
(a) False Widow Spider Bites:- Britain's most venomous spider. See attached Report and information on six recent False Widow bite cases in the UK and the growing risk, which should encourage people to take the matter seriously. The Health, Safety and Environment Department have received a number of reports regarding members coming across 'False Widow Spiders' in their work locations and some reported bites. We have previously issued an LTB with information to raise awareness amongst Branches and members. An infestation of the 'False Widow' prompted the temporary closure of the
Dean Academy school in the Forest of Dean on the advice of the Health and Safety unit at Gloucestershire Local Authority and a Mail delivery suspension in order that the appropriate pest control work could be undertaken. The false widow has a painful bite, causing swelling and feverishness in most people with similar effects to a Wasp Sting. However, those who are unfortunate enough to be allergic to the spider’s venom can have some terrible, potentially life threatening effects. (See attached Information Sheet with details of some of the worst False Widow Spider bite wounds reported in the UK.)
 
(b) Flea Bites:-  See attached Report on the Royal Mail Suspension of Deliveries to 13 properties in Queen's Crescent, Chippenham, Wiltshire last year, after the regular Postman was bitten repeatedly by fleas. The postman's arms and legs were covered in flea bites after he delivered mail to the close. It was reported on ERICA and Royal Mail suspended deliveries with immediate effect on health and safety grounds. The outbreak was caused by residents in a rented home with a history of hygiene issues. In addition to being annoying, there are serious health risks from Flea bites as Fleas can carry diseases and can even transmit diseases and other parasites to people. Over the years many members have unfortunately suffered Flea bites from time to time. The number have fortunately fallen. (See attached Information Sheet on Flea Bites).
 
(c) Bee and Wasp Stings:- See attached information on Bee and Wasp Stings in relation to allergic reactions and Anaphylactic Shock along with the UK statistics. Every year a number of our members sustain Wasp and Bee stings in various parts of the UK. The sting may be painful and swelling and itching may persist for a week. Doctors often recommend a Tetanus immunisation for about 2 percent of people. An allergic person may suffer anaphylactic shock from the venom, which can be life-threatening and requires emergency treatment. In severe cases, allergic individuals may die unless treated promptly. (See attached Information Sheet on Bee and Wasp Stings and Anaphylactic Shock).
 
(d) Tick Bites:- Ticks are another growing risk in the UK. Around 3,000 people in the UK contract Lyme disease (Borreliosis) from a tick bite each year. British and Irish ticks can carry and transmit a number of diseases to humans. The number of bites are increasing each year as is tick-borne infection. If left untreated, Lyme disease infection can lead to damage of the nervous stem, joints and heart, and can be seriously debilitating for people. The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department has been working with the two UK 'Tick-Bite' charities for a number of years to raise awareness amongst Branches and members of the risk of Tick Bites. There have been several approaches to Royal Mail's previous Head of Health to join in with the CWU on this issue without success. We have been notified of two members who contracted Lyme Disease from Tick Bites and the Health, Safety & Environment Department has issued a number of LTBs along with Leaflets, and Posters to raise awareness. (See attached Information Sheet on Tick Bites).
  
These are the reasons why bites and stings must be reported and recorded by members. There is no good reason not to. We have requested that correct instructions be issued to the AMU, RM Regions, Regional Safety Directors and their Teams.
 
Attachments:-
Information Sheet on False Widow Spider bites
Information Sheet on Flea Bites
Information Sheet on Bee and Wasp Stings
Information Sheet on Tick Bites
Royal Mail Bans Deliveries after Postman is bitten by Fleas.



Best Regards
 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer