This page is dedicated to the public, students and faculty.  It is designed to provide helpful hints regarding lawn care, flower care, trimming trees and bushes, etc.  Information will be provided on a seasonal basis and as it arrives.  Information will be posted as soon as possible, so come back and visit.

Bird Droppings: Nuisance or Health Hazard?

     Bird droppings can carry several disease-causing organisms, but the most common is the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, which causes the disease histoplasmosis. Fresh bird droppings, such as those on sidewalks, have not been shown to present a health risk for histoplasmosis because the birds are not infected by the fungus. Accumulated bird or bat droppings, such as those in poultry house litter, attic areas harboring birds or bats, caves and bird roosts, can be hazardous because they provide a good nutrient source for the growth of Histoplasma capsulatum already present in soil. The Histoplasma spores become airborne when accumulated droppings are disturbed. Breathing the spores causes an infection that primarily affects the lungs. Histoplasmosis is not contagious.   Whenever your work involves disturbing accumulated bird or bat droppings, such as during removal of droppings from a building, and during construction, excavation or demolition, it is safest to assume that the droppings are contaminated and use the following precautions to reduce your risk of exposure:

• Before starting a job or activity that may expose you to Histoplasma capsulatum, consult the document Histoplasmosis: Protecting Workers at Risk, published by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the National Center for Infectious Diseases. It contains detailed information on work practices and personal protective equipment that will reduce the risk of infection.

• Suppress dust by carefully wetting the droppings with a water spray.

• Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator and other items of personal protective equipment to further reduce the risk of Histoplasma capsulatum exposure.

     If you develop flu-like symptoms days or even weeks after disturbing material that might be contaminated with Histoplasma capsulatum, and the illness gets worse rather than subsiding after a few days, seek medical care and inform the healthcare provider about your exposure.

Reprinted with permission from EH&S

Snow and Ice Can Make Walking Hazardous

     Last winter, Iowa State experienced weather that created hazardous walking conditions from snow and ice. Injuries from employee falls after slipping on snow or ice accounted for 50% of the university’s workplace injuries during December and January. The injuries included broken ankles, fractured wrists and elbows, bruised and strained knees, and strained backs the university takes extensive efforts to clear snow and ice from roads, sidewalks and parking lots. However, no matter how hard the University tries, some snow and ice will exist, requiring employees and students to be prepared to walk on snow and ice.

Helpful Hints When Walking on Snow or Ice

1. Plan ahead, give yourself sufficient time and plan your route. Traffic moves slowly in snowy conditions. Don’t assume that a clear path for driving and walking will be available.

2. Wear shoes or boots that provide traction on snow and ice. Footwear made of rubber and neoprene composite provide better traction than plastic and leather soles. Products are available with abrasive soles and cleats that provide special traction for walking on snow and ice.

3. Use special care when entering and exiting vehicles, climbing or descending stairs, entering or leaving buildings. Move slowly. Use handrails for support. Try to keep your center of gravity over your support leg.

4. Walk on designated walkways as much as possible. Taking shortcuts over snow piles and areas where snow and ice removal is not feasible can be hazardous. Look ahead when you walk. A sidewalk completely covered with ice may require travel along its grassy edge for traction.

5. Walking safely on snow or ice:

• Take short steps or shuffle for stability.

• Bend slightly forward and walk flat-footed with your center of gravity directly over your feet as much as possible

• Be prepared to fall. If you fall, fall with sequential contacts at your thigh, hip and shoulder and avoid using your arms to protect against breakage.

• Bend your back and head forward to avoid hitting your head against the ground.

   

Reprinted with permission from EH&S