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Occupational Health Branch

Occupational Health Watch: June 2018

Insect-Related Risks to Outdoor Workers

An Africanized Honey BeeA new fact sheet and investigation report from the California Department of Public Health's Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program details the death of a date palm tree worker after he was attacked by multiple bees at an organic orchard in Southern California.  Aggressive Africanized honey bees now account for the majority of feral honey bees in this region. Employers can post the fact sheet – also available in Spanish – at work sites.

Outdoor workers in agriculture, landscaping, construction, and other industries are at risk for insect-related illnesses and injuries, including fatal anaphylactic shock and mosquito-borne and tickborne diseases.

A new Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) discusses the rise of illnesses from certain insect bites, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a topic page for bites and stings with preventive tips for workers and employers.

 

Photo: An Africanized honey bee

Resources

Orchard worker dies after he is stung by bees | Spanish – FACE fact sheets

Date palm worker dies after being stung by bees – fatality investigation report

Illnesses on the rise from mosquito, tick, and flea bites – CDC Vital Signs

Africanized Honey Bees – CDPH topic page

Insects and Scorpions – NIOSH topic page

Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program website


Email Occupational Health Watch (OHW@cdph.ca.gov) with feedback or change of address.

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