The Hazards of Working Alone

Since pest control technicians enter homes and businesses daily, they can be at risk because they have little control over the environments in which they work. The risks can include potential for accidents and injuries, health risks from pest-related, structural dangers and aggressive animals and people.

The following is a list of potential hazards that technicians face when working alone. It is important to review these situations during your regular safety training meetings and establish response protocols to make sure safety is priority one.

Accidents and Injuries

Pest control work often requires technicians to enter tight spaces not designed for regular access, climb ladders, or handle equipment in awkward positions, increasing the risk of slips, trips, and falls. When working alone, any injury can be particularly dangerous, as immediate help may not be available.

PestSure Safety Tip - Proper training on ladder safety and confined space entry/exit is crucial. Technicians should also be equipped with communication devices and check-in systems to alert others if an accident occurs.

Health Risks from Pest-Related Hazards

Technicians may encounter environments with heightened risks of bites, stings, or exposure to diseases carried by rodents, insects, or other pests. Working alone amplifies these health risks, especially in cases of allergic reactions to bites or stings.

PestSure Safety Tip - Providing technicians with personal protective equipment (PPE) such as bee gear, eye protection, gloves, masks, etc. to help mitigate these risks. Additionally, lone workers should have emergency contact protocols and easy access to first-aid supplies.

Equipment Malfunctions

Technicians use specialized equipment, including sprayers, foggers, etc. Equipment failures or malfunctions can lead to accidents, especially when a technician is alone and unable to troubleshoot or repair issues on-site.

PestSure Safety Tip - Regular equipment checks and maintenance are essential to reduce the likelihood of malfunctions. Lone workers should also carry backup tools and have access to supervisors and managers for support.

Structural and Environmental Hazards

Technicians may encounter protruding nails and sharp edges, metal pipes, loose floorboards, extreme temperatures, mold, cramped spaces, or unventilated areas. Exposure to these structural and environmental hazards can be dangerous, especially if technicians are unaware of the risks or lack appropriate safety equipment.

PestSure Safety Tip – Using proper personal protective protection (PPE), advance knowledge of the structural design and potential structural and environmental hazards, and pre-service hazard assessments can help identify potential dangers.

Aggressive Clients or Animals

Sometimes, pest control work takes technicians into spaces where aggressive animals or hostile clients may be present. This poses a unique risk for lone technicians, who may have no one to intervene or assist in a confrontation.

PestSure Safety Tip - Training in de-escalation techniques and animal behavior can help lone workers manage these situations. For higher-risk jobs, assigning a second technician may also be advisable.

Creating a Safe Work Environment

Conducting a hazard assessment of the account prior to starting service is the first step to ensure technician safety. The assessment will identify existing conditions that can pose a threat to technicians and allow them to mitigate those they can, and to discuss with supervisors if any changes need to be made.

Technicians need to regularly reassess conditions to identify any new hazards. By implementing strong safety protocols, equipping technicians with appropriate tools and regular training, companies can reduce these hazards and protect technicians.

PestSure – Your Partner in Safety

Founded in 1980, PestSure is the only insurance and risk management provider that is 100 percent dedicated to the pest management industry. It offers industry professionals a full suite of insurance, risk management, and safety training and education offerings.

PestSure provides insurance, safety and risk management consulting to pest management companies representing $2 billion in revenue, $750 million in payroll and more than 16,500 service vehicles. The program is administered by Alliant Insurance Services.

Call 888.984.3813 or visit our contact page for more information.