SCORPIONS

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SCORPIONS
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• Scorpions like to hide anywhere that provides
  shelter and protection.
• They are a nuisance especially in recently built
  homes.
• Scorpions have a long life cycle, lasting three
  to five years.
• Scorpions give birth to live young. They climb on
  the back of the mother and remain there until
  after their first molt.
• They are most common in southern Arizona and in
  parts of Texas and central Oklahoma.
• About 20 scorpion species worldwide have venom
  potent enough to be considered deadly to humans.
  The world's most dangerous scorpions live in
  North Africa, the Middle East, South America,
  India, and Mexico.
• In the US there are about 90 species of
  scorpions only four of which occur East of the
  Mississippi River. Additionally, only one of the
  90 can kill people and it is found in the
  Southwest.
• Scorpions exhibit UV fluorescence.

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SAFETY CONCERNS

• Any scorpion sting can be deadly to persons
  allergic to bee, jelly fish, etc. stings.
  Anaphylaxis occurs quickly in these individuals
  if bitten. Anaphylactic shock causes blood
  pressure to rapidly plummet and swelling of the
  windpipe, making breathing extremely difficult or
  impossible. Blurred consciousness,
  unconsciousness, and convulsions can also be a
  result.

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SAFETY CONCERNS

• Sweating, heart palpitations, rise in blood
  pressure, salivation, nausea, vomiting, and
  diarrhea are symptoms people not allergic to
  scorpions experience.

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THE US KILLER

• The Arizona Bark Scorpion is the only species in
  the US that is considered deadly.
• They are found throughout Arizona small
  populations occur in southeastern California and
  southern Utah.
• Nearly all deaths from this scorpion have been
  small children, the elderly, and the severely
  allergic.

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INJURY / DEATH STATISTICS

• 14,950 scorpion envenomations were reported to
  the American Association of Poison Control
  Centers. However, this is an underestimation
  because of underreporting.
• There are approximately 100,000 scorpion bites
  worldwide each year, resulting in around 800
  deaths.
• Only one death from the Arizona bark scorpion has
  been reported since 1964.
• source webmd.com

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• Insects, Spiders and Ticks
• To protect yourself from biting and stinging
  insects, wear long pants, socks, and long-sleeved
  shirts.
• Use insect repellents that contain DEET or
  Picaridin.
• Treat bites and stings with over-the-counter
  products that relieve pain and prevent infection.
  
• Avoid fire ants their bites are painful and
  cause blisters.
• Severe reactions to fire ant bites (chest pain,
  nausea, sweating, loss of breath, serious
  swelling or slurred speech) require immediate
  medical treatment.
• source osha.gov

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OSHA REGUALTIONS

• There are no OSHA regulations directly
  pertaining to scorpions. However, Under the
  General Duty Clause, the employer has an
  obligation to protect workers from serious and
  recognized workplace hazards even where there is
  no standard. Employers must take whatever
  abatement actions are feasible to eliminate these
  hazards.

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TREATING SHOCK VICTIMS

• Do not
• Move victim if they have head, back, or neck
  injuries
• Give victim anything by mouth
• Seek Medical aid Call 911.
• Keep victim lying down with head at least level
  with body.
• Raise feet 8 to 10 inches above the heart.
• Turn victims head to side if they are
  unconscious or vomiting (only if they do not have
  a head, back, or neck injury).
• Loosen any tight clothing.
• Maintain normal body temperature with blankets or
  clothes.
• Calm and reassure victim.

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SCORPION SAFETY TIPS

• Shake out any boots, hard hats, etc. left
  unattended for any period of time to be sure that
  there are no scorpions inside.
• Wear gloves and thoroughly visually inspect any
  wood or other materials for scorpions before
  handling them.
• Scorpions eat other insects lower the chance of
  scorpion visitors by keeping the site clean and
  reducing the number of insects in the immediate
  environment.
• Scorpions like water, especially in more arid
  climates, so keep an eye out near ditches, ponds,
  etc.