Pest control workers in Charlotte may be interested in a recent study regarding workplace accidents in the pest control industry that are not related to the handling of pesticides or pest-related diseases.

The study highlighted the fact that pest control workers may be exposed to common workplace hazards, such as slipping, tripping and falling, as well as unexpected hazards like exposure to blood-borne pathogens and faulty electric systems.

The article pointed to tips that all pest control workers can follow to reduce the likelihood that they will be involved in a serious accident while at work. Some of the tips include:

• Use a flashlight in dark areas and do not reach into any area that is not visible.

• Wear slip resistant boots, hard hats, masks, gloves, goggles and other necessary safety equipment.

• Clean spills in a timely manner.

• Do not touch any waste, bandages or items containing bodily fluids.

• Take notice of all heavy equipment in operation and do not enter trenches surrounded by dirt or heavy machinery.

• Only use grounded tools and do not remove grounding equipment.

• Do not use water-based pesticides close to electrical currents.

• When refilling gas cans, place them on the ground away from vehicles and fill them slowly to reduce the chance of creating static electricity.

The study included survey responses from pest control workers regarding how their employers prepared them for on-the-job safety. Twenty-one percent of those respondents indicated their company did not provide safety training. Of those companies that provided safety training, less than half provided training on common safety measures like trips and falls and electrocution prevention.

Source: Pest Control Technology, "Route Risks That Can Kill," Donna DeFranco, Jan. 31, 2012