Clean-Up of Mouse Feces, Urine and Carcasses

Transcription

1 School District 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) Safety Office 395 Wakesiah Avenue, Nanaimo, BC V9R 3K6 Telephone: (250) / (250) Fax: (250) Written Safe Work Procedures Clean-Up of Mouse Feces, Urine and Carcasses Clean up of small quantities of rodent-contaminated areas: 1. See Exposure Control Plan for Rodents & Hantavirus (appendix one) 2. As soon as possible, report signs of rodent activity to the Operations Department 3. Cover any broken skin that may be exposed to infection prior to beginning clean up of rodent contamination. 4. Ventilate the area by opening windows and doors leading to the outside, if possible 5. Wear disposable N95 respirator. 6. Wear disposable gloves 7. Disinfectant solution applied to rodent infected material and surfaces, excreta, nesting materials, carcasses to soak (avoid using a stream of liquid as this may create aerosols). Use the same disinfectant solution to decontaminate rubber gloves and boots. 8. Scoop up the material and dispose all contaminated material in double plastic bag. Seal the bags. Label them to identify the contents and handle the bag in a manner that will avoid punctures. Can be disposed with regular garbage. 9. Wipe or mop surfaces with a solution of disinfectant and detergent. 10. Cleaning solution (laundry detergent) to launder decontaminated clothing 11. After protective clothing or equipment is removed, wash any exposed skin and wash hands. Clean up where there is evidence of significant rodent activity: 12. As soon as possible, report signs of rodent activity to the Operations Department 13. All clean-up procedures must incorporate methods that limit the generation of aerosols from potentially contaminated items such as surfaces or personal protective equipment used in the clean-up. 14. Cover any broken skin that may be exposed to infection prior to beginning clean up of rodent contamination. 15. Ventilate the area by opening windows and doors leading to the outside, if possible 16. Wear a half-mask air-purifying respirator equipped with P100 filters or a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) with P100 filters. 17. Wear disposable gloves 18. Wear disposable coveralls made of a material that will resist the penetration of dust particles and that ensure a snug fit at the wrists and ankles. 19. Wear rubber boots or disposable shoe covers 20. Wear eye or face protection (goggles without vent holes) to prevent aerosols from coming into contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes. 21. Disinfectant solution applied to rodent infected material and surfaces, excreta, nesting materials, carcasses to soak (avoid using a stream of liquid as this may create aerosols). Use the same disinfectant solution to decontaminate rubber gloves and boots. 22. Vacuum with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. 23. If the material is soaked through to the point of run-off, use a scoop or shovel to carefully move the material into a plastic disposal bag. Double bag. Seal the bags. Label them to identify the contents and handle the bag in a manner that will avoid punctures. Can be disposed with regular garbage.

2 24. Wipe or mop surfaces with a solution of disinfectant and detergent. 25. Cleaning solution (laundry detergent) to launder decontaminated clothing 26. After protective clothing or equipment is removed, wash any exposed skin and wash hands. Hazards Present Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome begins as a flu-like illness. In the early stages, a worker may experience fever, sore muscles, headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and shortness of breath. As the disease progresses, fluid builds up in the lungs, making if difficult to breathe. Severe respiratory failure, resulting in death, can occur within a few days of the early-stage symptoms. Symptoms may appear from 5 to 45 days (the average is between 14 and 30 days) after exposure to the virus. To date, only deer mice have been systematically tested and found to carry the virus in BC; however, other rodents should not be ruled out as potential carriers. HPS is a rare disease, but cases have been report in Canada and USA. Personal Protective Equipment Required: Disposable Gloves Rubber Boots Rubber Gloves Safety Eyewear HEPA Vacuum Tyvex Coveralls N95 Respirator Half-mast Respirator with P100 filters

3 School District 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) 395 Wakesiah Avenue, Nanaimo, BC V9R 3K6 Telephone: (250) / (250) Safety Office Fax: (250) EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN RODENTS & HANTAVIRUS Mice and rats can be a serious problem in our buildings. Reports of rodent sighting are most common during winter and spring months when the animals are moving inside the buildings in search of warmth and food and then nesting in the spring. Mice usually hide from people. They can harbour pests such as fleas and Hantavirus, can leave unsanitary debris, and can frighten people. 1. Purpose and Responsibilities This Exposure Control Plan has been prepared to help minimize employee exposure to Hantavirus. This Exposure Control Plan is developed in accordance with Section 5.54 and Section 6.34 of the OHS Regulations. 2. Education and Training Staff Meetings and Crew Talks Newsletter Education 3. Risk Identification, Assessment and Control a) Identification of Tasks and Procedures that present an exposure risk Anyone where there is evidence of rodent activity. b) Identification of employee positions that carry out the exposure risk tasks and procedures. Anyone who has exposure to particles of infected saliva, urine and feces through inhalation. Inhalation may occur through direct contact with the rodent or from breathing airborne dust particles that are generated when rodent excreta is disturbed. Increased risk of exposure present for staff assigned to clean up rodent contaminated materials and/or rodent droppings. c) Identification of Controls Vigilance for signs of rodent activity (ie droppings, rodent odours, urine stains, tracks, gnawing damage, burrows, runways, rodent sounds Reporting to Operations department at first signs of rodent activity Trapping (by professional) Disinfectant solution applied to rodent infected material and excreta to soak (avoid using a stream of liquid as this may create aerosols) (Use N95 mask and gloves). Cleaning up rodent contaminated materials and feces in accordance with Written Safe Work Procedures Ensuring no food sources available to rodents all garbage removed daily, no open food overnight, food stored in rodent proof containers. No food sources stored in desks, cupboards, no dirty dishes overnight No classroom animal food sources available (ie seeds) Garbage containers stored away from buildings No classroom composters composters stored away from buildings Weeds and long grass kept trimmed near buildings; no dense vegetation around the building foundation

4 Openings larger than ¼ inch (around water pipes, air conditioning, vents, etc) screened and or sealed with steel wool, sheet metal or mortar. Inspect and discard any soft furnishings (fabric / stuffed couches or chairs) that have signs of rodent activity and that cannot be wiped down. Education and training on universal precautions 4. Written Safe Work Procedures Written Safe Work Procedures for Biological Hazards Written Safe Work Procedures for Universal Precautions for Blood Borne Pathogens Written Safe Work Procedures for Mouse Urine and Feces Clean-up Exposure Control Plans 5. Health Monitoring Reporting of rodent activity PPE Seek medical attention

5 Identification 1) House mouse or domestic house mouse (Mus musculus) - This is the most common mouse species to live inside buildings. - The body shape is small and slender, 5 to 7.5 cm long, with a tail 7.5 to 10 cm long. - It can survive a long time on food scraps, grains, and little water. - Droppings are rod-shaped. Home range is 3 to 10 meters. - Mice prefer to travel along edges and usually avoid crossing open spaces. 2) Deer mouse or white-footed deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) - It is common in barns, cabins and outbuildings but is seldom seen inside of schools. - It can carry the Hantavirus, which can cause a serious pulmonary ailment in humans. - The body colour is dark on top but a distinctive white on the underside. - The tail has fur (the house mouse has no fur on its tail) and is light coloured underside. 3) Meadow vole or meadow mouse or field mouse (Microtus species) - It is commonly hiding in tall vegetation or mulch but is seldom seen inside of buildings. - Body shape is stocky with short legs and short tails, fur is grey to brown colour. - Voles cause damage to crops and are a concern to farmers and landscapers. - They are easier to trap than house mice. 4) Roof rat or black rat (Rattus rattus) - It is the most common rat inside buildings, whereas the Norway rat is not common. - The roof rat is an excellent climber that usually nests in ceilings and attics. - The body shape is sleek and graceful, 15 to 20 cm long, with a tail 15 to 25 cm long. - Droppings are spindle-shaped. Home range is 30 to 50 meters. - Rats feed on fresh plant material such as nuts and seeds, and require free water. Above: House mouse Note the pointed nose and overall grey colour.

6 Below: Deer mouse Note the white underside with the distinct line between dark top and white bottom. Further information 1. British Columbia publication for persons working in structural pest control B.C. Ministry of Environment, 1996 Integrated Pest Management Manual for Structural Pests in BritishColumbia Chapter 8 is on rodents. Available at 2. Manual from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for pest problems near schools U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1997 Integrated Pest Management for Schools: A How-to Manual Chapter 12 is on mice, available at the website 3. Book on least-toxic solutions for pest problems from a California non-profit organisation Olkowski W., S. Daar, H.Olkowski, Common-Sense Pest Control The Taunton Press, Newtown CT. Chapter 16 is on mice. Available at most libraries or at the website 4. WorkSafeBC A Hantavirus Exposure Control program for Employers and Workers 5. Work Safe Alberta Workplace Health and Safety Bulletin Hantavirus: Information for Employers and Workers