The document discusses snakes, ticks, spiders, and poisonous plants found in Arkansas. It provides information on identifying and preventing contact with poisonous species. Guidelines are presented on first aid for snake bites, tick bites, and exposure to poison ivy and other urushiol-containing plants. Employers should train workers on risks, identification, prevention techniques, and first aid procedures to protect them from hazardous wildlife and plants.

1. Snakes

2. Photo of the Month

3. Objectives
 Discuss Snakes of Arkansas
 Insects, Associated Diseases & Prevention
 Poisonous Plants
 Snake Handling Exercise

4. Snakes of Arkansas
http://herpsofarkansas.com/Snake/HomePage

5. Non-Poisonous vs Poisonous

6. Pit Vipers – Poisonous Snakes

14. Eastern Hognose
Coachwhip
Garter Snake

15. Speckled King Snake

17. Snake Bites
 Prevention
 Do not handle any
snakes
 Stay away from tall
grass
 Avoid their habitats
 PPE
 First Aid
 Seek Medical attention ASAP!
 Color & shape of snake? for
treatment purposes
 Keep still & calm
 Inform your supervisor
 Lay or sit down
 Keep affected area below
heart
 Wash the bite with soap &
water

18. Snake Bites
 Do NOT do any of the following:
 Do not pick up the snake or try to trap it.
 Do not wait for symptoms to appear if bitten, seek
immediate medical attention.
 Do not apply a tourniquet.
 Do not slash the wound with a knife.
 Do not suck out the venom.
 Do not apply ice or immerse the wound in water.
 Do not drink alcohol as a painkiller.
 Do not drink caffeinated beverages.

19. Is this a poisonous snake?
1. Yes
2. No
1 2
9%
91%

20. Is this snake poisonous?
1. Yes
2. No
1 2
65%
35%

21. Scarlet Kingsnake
(non-poisonous)

22. Ticks will jump & fly in order
to attach to their next meal?
1. True
2. False
1 2
44%
56%

23. Mode of Transportation
 False, they actually climb up vegetation and wait for an
animal / human to walk by to attach themselves to.

26. Common Tickborne Diseases
 Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
 Lyme Disease

27. Rash
Increased
Pain
Swelling Redness
Flu-Like
Symptoms
Red
Streaks

28.  Symptoms usually
begin 2-14 days post
bite
 Fever
 Nausea
 Severe Headache
 Muscle Pain
 Lack of Appetite
 Rash (late in disease progression)
 Joint Pain
Carried by the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick and the American Dog Tick

29. How to avoid tick related diseases
 Wear Protective Clothing
 Long sleeved & pants
 Light colored clothing
 Use a Deet or Permethrin based insect repellent
 Keep grass cut short
 Spray pesticides

31. Guineas/Chickens
Topical
Dust/Drops
Liquid Sprays

32. Insect Repellent - Permethrine
 Indicated for:
 clothing
 tents
 sleeping bags
 other outside gear.
 Contraindicated for:
 Skin exposure.
 Harmless to humans
after it dries.

33. Spiders
 Black Widow
 Brown Recluse
(Fiddle back)

34. Bee Stings & Anaphylactic
Reactions

35. Anaphylactic
Signs & Symptoms

36. Using an Epi Pen

37. Poisonous Plants
Plant Identification
 The old saying "Leaves of three, Let it be!" is a helpful reminder for
identifying poison ivy and oak, but not poison sumac which usually has
clusters of 7-13 leaves.
 Even poison ivy and poison oak may have more than three leaves and
their form may vary greatly depending upon the exact species
encountered, the local environment, and the season.
 Being able to identify local varieties of these poisonous plants
throughout the seasons and differentiating them from common
nonpoisonous look-a-likes are the major keys to avoiding exposure.

38. Poison Ivy
 Eastern poison ivy is typically a hairy, ropelike vine with three
shiny green (or red in the fall) leaves budding from one small
stem
 Western poison ivy is typically a low shrub with three leaves
that does not form a climbing vine
 May have yellow or green flowers and white to green-yellow
or amber berries

39. Poison Oak
 Typically a shrub with leaves of three, similar to poison ivy
 Pacific poison oak may be vine-like
 May have yellow or green flowers and clusters of green-
yellow or white berries

40. Poison Sumac
 Woody shrub that has stems that contain 7-13 leaves arranged in
pairs
 May have glossy, pale yellow, or cream-colored berries

41. Poisonous Plants
Exposure
 Workers may become exposed to urushiol through:
 Direct contact with the plant
 Indirect contact, such as touching tools, livestock, or clothing
that have urushiol on them
 Inhalation of particles containing urushiol from burning plants
Symptoms
 Signs or symptoms associated with dermal contact with
poisonous plants may include:
 Red rash within a few days of contact
 Possible bumps, patches, streaking, or weeping blisters (blister
fluids are not contagious)
 Swelling & Itching

42. Poisonous Plants
Recommendations for Protecting Workers
Employers should protect their workers from poisonous
plants by training them about:
Their risk of exposure to poisonous plants
How to identify poisonous plants
How to prevent exposure to poisonous plants
What they should do if they are exposed to poisonous
plants

43. Poisonous Plants
Prevention
Workers can prevent contact with poisonous plants by taking these steps:
 Wear long sleeves, long pants, boots, and gloves.
 Wash exposed clothing separately in hot water with detergent.
 Barrier skin creams, such as a lotion containing bentoquatum, may offer
some protection before contact.
 Barrier creams should be washed off and reapplied twice a day.
 After use, clean tools with rubbing alcohol (isopropanol or isopropyl
alcohol) or soap and lots of water. Urushiol can remain active on the
surface of objects for up to 5 years.
 Wear disposable gloves during this process.
 Do not burn plants that may be poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac.
 Inhaling smoke from burning plants can cause severe allergic respiratory problems.

44. Poisonous Plants
First Aid
Workers who have come in contact with poisonous plants
should:
Immediately rinse skin with rubbing alcohol, specialized
poison plant washes, degreasing soap (such as
dishwashing soap) or detergent, and lots of water.
 Rinse frequently so that wash solutions do not dry on the skin and
further spread the urushiol.
Scrub under nails with a brush.
Apply wet compresses, calamine lotion, or hydrocortisone
cream to the skin to reduce itching and blistering.
 Follow the directions on any creams and lotions. Do not apply to
broken skin, such as open blisters.
 Oatmeal baths may relieve itching.

45. First Aid cont…
An antihistamine such as diphenhydramine
(Benadryl) can be taken to help relieve itching.
Follow directions on the package.
Drowsiness may occur.
If children come in contact with work clothing
contaminated with urushiol, a pediatrician should
be contacted to determine appropriate dosage.
In severe cases or if the rash is on the face or
genitals, seek professional medical attention.
Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room if the
worker is suffering a severe allergic reaction, such
as swelling or difficulty breathing, or has had a
severe reaction in the past.