This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
ISHN logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
ISHN logo
  • Home
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Editions
    • Archives
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Subscribe
  • Topics
    • Environment
    • Environmental Health and Safety
    • Government Regulations
    • Health
    • Industrial Hygiene
    • Occupational Safety
    • PPE
    • Product Case Studies
    • Psychology
    • Safety Culture
    • Training
    • Transportation Safety
    • More Topics
  • Construction
  • Oil & Gas
  • Columns
    • Editorial Comments
    • Best Practices
    • Positive Cultures
    • Training Strategies
    • Closing Time
    • FR Protection
    • Thought Leadership
  • Products
  • Conventions
    • Convention Companion
  • Multimedia
    • eBooks
    • Infographics
    • Photo Galleries
    • ISHN Podcasts
    • Your Digital Mentor Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • ISHN YouTube Videos
  • More
    • Awards
      • 2020 Readers' Choice Awards- Submit Products
    • eNewsletters
    • Events
    • ISHN Store
    • Product Case Studies
    • Product Innovations
    • Showrooms
    • Vendor News
  • Advertise
    • Contact
Home » An unexpected workplace hazard
Facility SafetyHealthToday's News

An unexpected workplace hazard

Bedbugs can hitch a ride to the office

bedbug-422.jpg
April 27, 2012
KEYWORDS bed bugs / disease / health / infestation
Reprints

bedbugs can be a workplace problemAn outbreak of irritating insect bites among federal employees in Clarksville, Tennessee last year turned out to be due to a bedbug infestation in the building where they worked, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.

At least 35 workers suffered bedbug bites. Although the bites don't carry disease or cause serious health problems, they do cause welts, itching and swelling. Investigators found that one woman had bite bugs all over her body.

The infestation was confirmed by a bedbug-detecting German Sheherd.

Bedbug infestations have skyrocketed in the U.S. since 2000, affecting large urban areas and small towns, luxury hotels, apparel stores and yes, workplaces.

A 2011 survey of U.S. pest control companies found that 38 percent had responded to infestations at office buildings, up from 17 percent the year before. Treatments at schools and day-care centers rose to 36 percent from 10 percent, and visits to hospitals jumped from 12 percent of their jobs to almost one-third.

This data contradicts the previous perception of bedbugs as biting people only at night, only in beds.

In the Tennessee outbreak, employees began reporting bites and itching last June, leading state health department inspectors to investigate. They considered -- then excluded -- the possibility that the bites were being caused by scabies and fleas. The canine bedbug expert was able to nail down the actual cause in September. He detected the insects in a number of cubicles and offices in the building,

His diagnosis was confirmed by dermatologists.

CDC epidemic intelligence officer Dr. Jane Baumblatt said more than half of the employees interviewed suffered from bites, often on their legs. "It wasn't that severe. It was more of a nuisance than anything," Baumblatt said. "The anxiety was that people didn't know what it was," she said. "Once people figured out they were bedbugs, they were relieved."

A pest control company was hired to perform perform steam cleaning of theoffice.

Dr. Michael Potter, professor ofentomology at the University of Kentucky, said bedbugs do prefer beds and stationary furniture such as couches and recliners because they don't like disruption when they feed on people. But they may be transported to offices, day-care centers or myriad other locations in personal belongings such as backpacks, briefcases and purses.

Once an office becomes infested, managers may not want to tell workers in order to avoid a panic, he said. "In the best of all worlds, the office would inform the employees that some bedbugs have been spotted and they have a pest control company that's hopefully involved in dealing with things," he said.

However, Potter added, "nothing is easy when it comes to bedbugs."

Subscribe to ISHN Magazine

Related Articles

Against the grain: OSHA finds extra hazards in an already-hazardous business (3/7)

Meat workers exposed to unexpected machine start-up

Related Products

Top Ten Pitfalls in OSHA Recordkeeping and How to Avoid Them

Related Events

Zika Virus: An Emerging Infectious Disease, Epidemiology, Risks and Prevention in the Workplace

Related Directories

TAPPI

Operational Sustainability

The Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI)

National Safety Compliance

Subscribe For Free!
  • Digital Edition Subscriptions
  • ISHN eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

Today's News

2 young part-time UPS workers killed in California

Today's News

Steel worker injured at Indiana plant

Tesla

Report finds worker injuries are “routine” at Tesla’s Nevada plant

crystal ball

Safety and health trends for 2020

Lendlease

Humorous workplace safety campaign features mothers

ISHN Readers' Choice Awards 2020 product submissions


Events

March 7, 2019

Safety and Wellness: The Combination that Drives Engagement and Profitability

On Demand Attend this webinar for the keys to success, as well as mistakes to avoid, when targeting safety and wellness with a Recognition & Reward Program.

View All Submit An Event

ISHN Podcasts


ISHN Podcasts

ISHN Magazine

ISHN1219_cover.jpg

2019 December

Among the articles in the December 2019 issue of ISHN Magazine, we have expert insight on selecting the right respirator, a link to the 2020 Buyers’ & Resource Guide, 10 safety mistakes that can land you in a courtroom, and much more.
View More Create Account
  • Resources
    • List Rental
    • Safety A-Z
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Web Exclusives
    • Privacy Policy
  • Want More
    • Connect
    • Subscribe
    • Survey And Sample

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing