Environmental factors such as climate, weather, allergens, terrain and potential wildlife encounters can make working outdoors hazardous for line contractors and electrical workers. 

One very small but big risk workers face is ticks. They can do a lot of damage.

Tick bites can lead to problems

Ticks are tiny, blood-sucking parasites that can transmit more than a dozen diseases to humans as well as animals. The more than 850 different species of ticks found in the United States range in size from barely visible to the size of a pencil eraser. Most commonly found in wooded and grassy areas, the tiny arachnids can attach to humans when we come into contact with vegetation.

Ticks move to the warmer, moister locations on the body, such as the armpits, groin, hair and behind the knees. There, they attach to the skin and begin to draw blood. Although most tick bites are harmless, in some cases they can cause mild to serious health conditions. 

Hard- and soft-bodied female ticks carry a poison that can result in tick paralysis in children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “It is thought to be caused by a toxin in the saliva of an attached tick. People with tick paralysis can experience weakness or paralysis that gradually moves up the body. These symptoms can sometimes resemble other neurologic conditions (for example, Guillain-Barre syndrome or botulism). Patients typically regain movement within 24 hours of removing the tick.”

While the vast majority of tick species do not carry diseases, some such as deer (or blacklegged) ticks possess bacteria or other organisms that can cause Colorado Tick Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia (rabbit fever) and Lyme disease. 

The CDC indicates, “Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.”

Staying safe

To minimize tick bites on and off the job, people should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and high socks to reduce skin exposure. Socks can be tucked into pant legs and duct tape can be used to seal gaps at the ankles to help prevent ticks from crawling up the legs. Insect and tick repellent can also be worn. Ideally, Environmental Protection Agency approved products such as DEET or permethrin should be used.

Vegetation should be removed or well-maintained on job sites to reduce tick habitat, including tall grass, brush or dried/decaying leaves. Additionally, consider treating work areas with acaricides or other tick-control products. It is worthwhile consulting licensed pest-management professionals to determine the proper, suitable and compliant course of action.

It’s also important to regularly inspect clothing and the body after spending time outside, especially after working in tick-prone areas. 

Once bitten

In the event a tick bite occurs, symptoms in the following days or weeks may include blisters, rash, swelling, muscle/joint aches, stiff neck, headache, weakness, fever, swollen lymph nodes, flu-like symptoms, stopped/difficult breathing or uncoordinated movement. According to Mount Sinai Hospital, the best way to remove a tick is as follows: 

Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible. Gloved or protected fingers may be used if no tweezers are available.

Pull straight up gently but firmly, using steady pressure. Do not jerk or twist. Do not squeeze or crush the body of the tick, since fluids from the tick may contain infectious agents.

Clean the skin thoroughly with soap and water after removing the tick.

Wash your hands with soap and water.

It is also recommended to check if the mouth or other parts of the tick remain in the skin. While they will usually grow out without causing any problems, local infection is still possible, according to Mount Sinai Hospital.