Safety Talk on Working Around Bird & Bat Droppings

BENEFITS

During the winter, workers may work inside, cleaning or renovating places where bats or birds hang out such as garages, warehouses and older buildings. Such areas often contain bird and bat droppings. And workers exposed to these droppings can develop serious respiratory infections called Histoplasmosis or Cryptococcosis.

HOW TO USE THE TOOL

Give this handout to all workers who could be exposed to bird and/or bat droppings on the job to explain the health risks posed by such exposure and the appropriate safety measures to take. Supervisors should also review the PPE requirements for the job with workers and ensure that they understand how to use

each piece of equipment correctly.

OTHER RESOURCES:

IHSA

PPE: Does Your Workplace Need a Respiratory Protection Program’

PPE: How to Choose Appropriate Respiratory Protection for Workers

Respiratory Protection Selection Form

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