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OSHA Guidelines for Insect Bites in an Indoor Office Setting

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration, OSHA, is part of the U.S. Department of Labor and it is responsible for safety at the workplace. These precautions include guidelines pertaining to insect bites to help protect workers from possible infections or disease.

  1. Office Prevention

    • Reduce or eliminate areas of stagnant or standing water in which mosquitoes or other insects can breed as recommended by OSHA. Drain containers with standing water. The agency also recommends covering skin by wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when possible. OSHA also suggests using insect repellents, especially those containing DEET, the most effective repellent ingredient. Keep windows closed, especially in areas where insects congregate. Keep offices clean and toss out garbage regularly.

    Places at Risk

    • According to OSHA, offices in warm climates are at a higher risk for encountering insects, including mosquitoes. Employers and employees alike should be aware of the working conditions and the outside conditions and take standard precautions to keep insects out. These precautions include draining any standing water, closing windows, wearing long sleeves, cooling the air to create circulation, disposing of garbage and using insect repellents.

    Recognizing Symptoms

    • When bugs bite, either mild symptoms or no symptoms present. However, headache, fever, body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes may be signs of a mild infection, according to OSHA . Severe infections could include high fever, disorientation, tremors, muscle weakness and stiffness in the neck accompanied by a headache. Don't ignore these symptoms coming after a bug bite.

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