Safety & Compliance · SOP

Insect And Tick Awareness For Outdoor Sites

This standard operating procedure covers the prevention, identification, and response to insect and tick exposure for workers in outdoor industrial sites, including forestry, pipeline, and construction sectors. Compliance with WorkSafeBC OHS Part 4 and 8 is emphasized.

Estimated Time

30 min

Difficulty

Basics

Regulation

WorkSafeBC OHS

Version

1.0

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Purpose

To minimize the risk of Lyme disease, West Nile virus, and other vector‑borne illnesses among outdoor workers. This SOP establishes mandatory awareness training, personal protective measures, and post‑exposure procedures to ensure every worker can identify risky environments, apply repellents correctly, and perform proper tick removal.

Scope

This procedure applies to all personnel performing work in outdoor environments where tall grass, brush, or forest edges are present. It covers pre‑shift preparation, on‑site behaviour, end‑of‑day inspections, and reporting requirements. Sites with known high tick or mosquito activity must also implement an enhanced monitoring program under the site health & safety plan.

Safety Precautions

LOTOLockout/Tagout is not applicable to this awareness procedure. However, all equipment must be shut down and tagged before any close‑quarters inspection of machinery that may be harbouring insects.
PPEMandatory: long‑sleeved shirt, pants (tucked into boots), closed‑toe boots, and a hat. Use EPA‑registered insect repellent containing DEET (20–30%) or Picaridin. In high‑risk areas, a bug jacket or head net is required.
FIRENever apply repellent near open flames or hot surfaces. Do not use aerosol repellents inside vehicles or enclosed spaces. Keep repellent containers away from direct sunlight above 40 °C.
BIODo not crush, squeeze, or burn an embedded tick—this can increase pathogen transmission. Use only fine‑tip tweezers for removal. Wash hands and site immediately after removal.

Required Tools & Materials

EPA‑registered insect repellent (DEET or Picaridin)
Long‑sleeved shirt / pants (preferably light‑coloured to spot ticks)
Permethrin‑treated clothing (optional but recommended for high‑risk sites)
Tick removal kit: fine‑tip tweezers, antiseptic wipes, small sealable jar
Head net or bug jacket (if site assessment indicates high mosquito/tick density)
First‑aid kit with antihistamine and bite‑relief cream
Site map or GPS to record tick bite location (for follow‑up)

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Procedure: Step-by-Step

1 Pre‑work inspection of clothing and skin. Before entering the site, perform a visual check of all exposed skin and clothing seams for crawling insects or ticks. Tuck pants into boots and shirt into pants. Light‑coloured clothing helps spot ticks.

2 Apply insect repellent correctly. Apply EPA‑registered repellent to all exposed skin (avoid eyes, mouth, and cuts). Re‑apply every 4 hours or after heavy sweating. Do not spray under clothing. For extra protection, treat work clothes with permethrin (allow to dry before wearing).

3 Maintain a tick‑safe work zone. Keep grass and brush cut to ≤10 cm around work areas. Place a dry moat (gravel or wood chip barrier) between wooded edges and the active site. Discourage wildlife (e.g., keep food in sealed containers).

4 End‑of‑shift full‑body tick check. Strip to underwear in well‑lit area. Use a mirror or buddy system to inspect scalp, armpits, groin, behind knees, and waist. Ticks can be as small as a poppy seed. Run fingers over skin to feel bumps.

5 Safe tick removal and reporting. If an embedded tick is found, grasp it with fine‑tip tweezers as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk. Clean the bite area with antiseptic and put the tick in a sealed jar labelled with date and location. Report to the site supervisor and complete an incident record (form 7).

6 Monitor for symptoms. Workers who have been bitten must monitor for 30 days for signs of Lyme disease (bull’s‑eye rash, fever, chills, joint pain). If symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately and provide the tick sample to a lab for testing.

Insect And Tick Awareness For Outdoor Sites

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