Bed Bugs and Occupational Health – Download ‘ BEDBUGSINFO.ca

Bed Bugs and Occupational Health

Employers have duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its applicable regulations, including taking every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect the health and safety of a worker. This fact sheet outlines precautions that employers and workers may take to protect themselves from occupational exposure to bed bugs.

What workers are at risk of occupational exposure to bed bugs? Bed bugs can be found anywhere that humans live or visit, however, they are more commonly found in sleeping areas. Workers at risk include people who work in, or visit, locations with bed bug infestations, especially workers that handle bedding, clothing, or furniture where bed bugs could be hiding. Workers potentially at higher risk include fire fighters, health care professionals, housing management and staff, police, and social workers that work in or visit:

Can I pick up be d bugs by touching someone in an infeste d location? No, bed bugs prefer to hide in cracks and crevices during the day and do not fly or jump onto people. It is rare for a bed bug to move directly from one person to another. Movement of bed bugs from one human to another is usually by direct contact with infested materials.

What are the consequences of picking up bed bugs while I am working?

How can I protect myself from picking up bed bugs while I am working?

As an employer, what precautions can I take to prevent bed bug infestations and to protect workers? Precautionary measures that you take against bed bugs will vary based on the extent of an infestation, but include:

What can I do after I leave a potentially bed bug infested location?

Resources to assist employers when developing bed bug policies and procedures: 1. Government of Ontario. Bedbugsinfo.ca 2. The Community Bed Bug Committee and WoodGreen Community Services. 2008. The Bed Bug Resource Manual: A Guide to Preventing, Treating and Coping with Bed Bugs 3. Gangloff-Kaufmann JJ, C Pichler. 2008. Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Bed Bugs in Shelters and Group Living Facilities 4. Government of Ontario. Integrated Pest Management 5. City of Toronto, Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration. 2008. Bed Bugs A Handbook for Shelter Operators 6. National Center for Healthy Housing. 2010. Whats Working for Bed Bug Control in Multifamily Housing 7. Toronto Public Health. Bed Bug Resources 8. Ontario Non-Profit Housing Authority. Bed Bug Resources

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Bed Bugs and Occupational Health – Download ‘ BEDBUGSINFO.ca