Name of workplace: MACLEAN HIGH SCHOOL Name of workplace manager: ROBERT PERL Risk assessment focus: FLYING FOXES Location/activity Hazard identification type/ Causes Current Controls Risk Matrix Score Elimination or Control Measures Who When MACLEAN HIGH SCHOOL FLYING FOX INFESTATION Extra cleaning of affected areas 6 Current control measures to be ongoing. within the school grounds. It is not possible to eliminate the Flying Foxes or control them. (protected wild animals). Walkways have Been covered to Shelter staff and Students. Flying foxes in Australia are known to carry two infections which can pose a serious risk to human health Australian Bat Lyssavirus and Hendra virus. Human infections with these viruses are very rare and when there is no handling or direct contact with flying foxes, there is negligible public health risk (NSW Health flying Foxes and Health Questions & Answers November 2012). WIRES to be Contacted to Remove any sick Or injured animals. If you are bitten or scratched by a flying fox, the wound should immediately be washed gently but thoroughly with soap and water, an antiseptic solution such as povidone-iodine applied, and a doctor consulted as soon as possible to assess the need for further treatment. A Vaccine and immunoglobulin can prevent infection if given soon after the bite or scratch (NSW Health Flying Foxes and Health Questions & Answers November 2012). 1
The following NSW Health factsheet has further information in relation to flying foxes. http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/pages/flying-foxesquestions.aspx Injured Flying Fox Infectious contamination ALL school personnel informed via staff meetings and school assemblies not to touch any flying foxes but to report the matter immediately. 6 Current control measures to be ongoing. If you are bitten or scratched by a flying fox, the wound should immediately be washed gently but thoroughly with soap and water, an antiseptic solution such as povidone-iodine applied, and a doctor consulted as soon as possible to assess the need for further treatment. A Vaccine and immunoglobulin can prevent infection if given soon after the bite or scratch (NSW Health Flying Foxes and Health Questions & Answers November 2012). Front Office or Executive staff As soon as the incident is reported. Don t touch the injured flying fox. Isolate with the use of barricade tape/traffic cones and contact WIRES or the council for removal. If WIRES or the Council are unavailable contact ISS cleaning services to clean the affected area. Deceased Flying Fox Infectious contamination ALL school personnel informed via staff meetings and school Current control measures to be ongoing. Dead flying foxes do not need to be treated any differently to any other dead animal and can be disposed of appropriately. Like any dead animal Front Office staff When Alerted 2
assemblies not to touch any flying foxes but to report the matter immediately. avoid handling (Tony Kohlenberg, Senior Environmental Health Officer / Public Health, email correspondence attached below.) Don t touch the injured flying fox. Isolate with the use of barricade tape/traffic cones and contact WIRES or the council for removal. Flying Fox Faeces Spread of dried Faces or Faeces being dropped on person or property Extra Cleaning of affected areas within the school grounds. Walkways have been covered to shelter staff and students. Staff and students report any signs of contamination to the front office; washing or a change of clothing is available if 6 Extra Cleaning, Covered walkways, Report incidents of personal contact to front office. If the person(s) or property should come into contact with faeces it is recommended that the area be washed gently but thoroughly with soap and water. Bat droppings do not need to be treated any differently than any other animal droppings. Normally worn PPE should be worn. Dust from dried flying fox faeces has not been related to any diseases (Tony Kohlenberg, Senior Environmental Health Officer / Public Health, email correspondence attached below.) ISS Cleaning Everyday 3
required Mowing over dried faeces Possible dust inhalation from dried faeces. PPE as per Ride on mower safe operating procedure document WHSD425 6 Operator to wear PPE as per Safe Operating Procedure WHSD425 Face, eye, hearing, clothing and foot protection must be worn while operating the ride on lawn mower. Odour Causes discomfort and irritation to airways. Close windows. 6 Current control measures to be ongoing. This is exaggerated during wet weather. Hot days prevent windows being closed. Air conditioning has been provided in 2016 to almost all teaching spaces. Classroom teachers Each day Flying foxes have unique odours that help them identify each other. The main odour associated with flying foxes is the scent male flying foxes use to mark their territory and to attract females during the mating season. While this may be offensive in odour, it does not represent a risk to human health (NSW Health Flying Foxes and Health Questions & Answers November 2012). Relevant additional information reviewed and attached: email correspondence attached. 4
Plan prepared by: Robert Perl Position: Principal Prepared in consultation with: GA, Senior Executive, Federation Representative, P & C, WHSC Sean Sacco, ISS, Tony Kohlenberg (Senior Environmental Health Officer Public Health) Date: 26/11/2014 Revised: 3/05/2017 Communicated to: All Staff. Monitor and Review: Monitor the effectiveness of controls and change if necessary. Review the risk assessment if an incident or a significant change occurs. *Note assessments of risk vary with the particular circumstances (eg. nature of the workplace, student group) From: Kohlenberg, Tony [mailto:tony.kohlenerg@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au Sent: Friday, 14 November 2014 12:44 PM To: Sacco, Sean J Subject: Flying Foxes Hi Sean, In regard to your enquiries 1. Can ground staff at school be infected by bat droppings especially after inhalation from lawn mowing. 2. Ground staff found a dead bat and rang WIRES to dispose of bat. WIRES advised that staff do not have rabies vaccine and so can t help. What is the protocol for disposing of dead or injured bats? 5
The following is provided; 1. Bat dropping do not need to be treated any differently than any other animal droppings. Normally worn PPE should be worn. Dust from dried flying fox faeces has not been related to any diseases. 2. Dead flying fox do not need to be treated any differently to any other dead animal and can be disposed of appropriately. Like any dead animal avoid handling. The following links are provided for more information http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/pages/flying-foxes-questions.aspx http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/pages/flying-foxes.aspx Tony Kohlenberg Senior Environmental Health Officer Public Health PO Box 498 Lismore NSW 2480 Tel 02 66207527 Fax 02 66202552 Mob 0414569526 Tony.kohlenerg@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au www.ncahs.nsw.gov.au/public-health 6