SAFETY IN BIRD WORK
Guano Clearance
Safe Working Procedures may include doing the job outside normal working hours to minimise the risk to others in the building. Damp down the guano, ideally with disinfectant, before and during the job. Use correct PPE. Contain dust and the waste. Use rubble bags and seal them before removal. Safely remove and dispose of or clean equipment. Dispose of waste according to the local regulations.
Care with high pressure sprayers that might help disperse spores.
Disinfect surfaces after cleaning.
Guano Hazards
Risk Assessments to take into account for example:disease hazards, allergic reactions from bird droppings, broken glass, contaminated hypodermic syringes, blood feeding insects, hazards associated with working at height or in confined spaces. Consider people - workers and anyone in the same building or anyone who comes into contact with the cleared rubbish or contaminated articles
Guano PPE
- Breathing protection depending on dust level and work duration. Outdoors P2 might be appropriate, indoors P3 generally recommended
- Disposable overalls with hood
- Hard hat, goggles, hardwearing gloves
Guano Medical Awareness
Everyone involved to be aware of the disease risks (albeit low) - treat any bout of 'flu' with care. If symptoms persist or are severe, see GP and advise of contact with birds and their waste.
Control
Cull birds discreetly - aggressive bird lovers. Cage traps to be out of public sight; shooting ideally when the birds are roosting at night, with nobody else in the vicinity. Shooters to be trained in safe and effective use of air rifles for bird control (see Network or BPCA training).
Shooting
Shooting considerations include:
- carry out Risk Assessment
- wear shooting safety glasses
- use compressed air correctly
- never point a rifle at anyone
- use competent and trained personnel
- excluded others from the shooting area
- make sure equipment is correctly serviced and maintained
- wash hands after handling pellets (lead and antimony)
- when breaking the barrel hold end of barrel to prevent it springing closed
- always treat a rifle as if it were loaded
- ensure pellet will be safe if it misses target
- never leave your rifle unattended unless locked away
- store rifle and pellets separately and securely
Proofing
HSE statistics show falls from height and being struck by falling objects account for around a half of all workplace fatalities in the UK. Work at Height Regulations 2005 and amendments 2007. Use appropriate access equipment for the job; use it safely; make sure it is properly maintained (certificated); ensure tools and materials are not allowed to fall; correct barriers around work area.Anybody using height access equipment must be appropriately trained. For Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP’s), IPAF training (International Powered Access Federation) - Powered Access Licence Cards (PAL Cards) to trained operatives. For rope access at work IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) training is required. For ladders, scaffolds, cradles etc. training available from variety of organisations.
Brittle roofs - extremely dangerous. Ensure training and safe working procedures.
Specialist tools (e.g. electric drills, cartridge tools and pneumatic hogringers) - appropriate training e.g. from hire shops or manufacturers.
