Risk of rats in construction - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 08:07, 16 November 2020

2020-11-16T08:07:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:07, 16 November 2020
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	* Weil's disease.		* Weil's disease.

−	[[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]]

Designing Buildings at 09:23, 11 August 2020

2020-08-11T09:23:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:23, 11 August 2020
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	* Site surveys.		* Site surveys.
	* The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.		* The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.
−	* ~~Woodworm and spiders~~.	+	* Weil's disease.

	[[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]]		[[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]]

Editor at 09:26, 26 June 2020

2020-06-26T09:26:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:26, 26 June 2020
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	Preventive measures can include; placing fine mesh over air bricks to prevent rodent entry, closing off voids around ducts and other penetrations through the building fabric, properly capping drains, installing hinged plates in drains and sewers and so on.		Preventive measures can include; placing fine mesh over air bricks to prevent rodent entry, closing off voids around ducts and other penetrations through the building fabric, properly capping drains, installing hinged plates in drains and sewers and so on.

−	~~= Find out more =~~	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
−		+
−	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===	+

		+	* Bird deterrent programmes.
	* Construction site inspection.		* Construction site inspection.
	* Dry rot fungus.		* Dry rot fungus.

Designing Buildings at 13:55, 11 December 2017

2017-12-11T13:55:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:55, 11 December 2017
Line 66:		Line 66:
	* The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.		* The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.
	* Woodworm and spiders.		* Woodworm and spiders.
−
−	~~=== External resources ===~~
−
−	* RICS - [http://www.rics.org/uk/news/news-insight/comment/beware-of-rats/ Beware of rats]

	[[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]]		[[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]]

Editor at 11:07, 6 March 2017

2017-03-06T11:07:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:07, 6 March 2017
Line 59:		Line 59:
	* Hazardous substances.		* Hazardous substances.
	* Health and safety.		* Health and safety.
		+	* How to work safely on a construction site in winter.
	* Japanese knotweed.		* Japanese knotweed.
	* Mitie - drone pest control inspection.		* Mitie - drone pest control inspection.

Designing Buildings at 16:10, 12 September 2016

2016-09-12T16:10:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:10, 12 September 2016
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	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

−	The brown rat, rattus norvegicus, is a UK rodent that is closely associated with human activity. Primary habitats include sewers, canals and rivers; however, they are often found in derelict sites or near readily accessible food sources. Rats can pose a risk to construction workers ~~due to~~ the frequency with which they may be in close proximity.	+	The brown rat, rattus norvegicus, is a UK rodent that is closely associated with human activity. Primary habitats include sewers, canals and rivers; however, they are often found in derelict sites or near readily accessible food sources. Rats can pose a risk to construction workers becuase of the frequency with which they may be in close proximity.

−	Construction work on greenfield sites can ~~often~~ disturb rodent populations, as it can on brownfield sites, for example, when undertaking roadworks or demolishing or renovating old buildings. ~~Establishing construction~~ sites with material storage, temporary offices and worker facilities, can ~~often~~ become ideal harbourages for rodents.	+	Construction work on greenfield sites can disturb rodent populations, as it can on brownfield sites, for example, when undertaking roadworks or demolishing or renovating old buildings. Construction sites with material storage, temporary offices and worker facilities, can become ideal harbourages for rodents.

−	~~The~~ impact of rodents during construction ~~should be minimised wherever possible, often requiring developers and~~ site managers to recognise key signs of ~~pest~~ activity~~. Addressing pest issues swiftly prevents them~~ from becoming ~~major concerns and hazards to workers~~.	+	Minimising the impact of rodents during construction requires that site managers recognise key signs of activity and that this is addressed quickly to prevent it from becoming a hazard.

	Key signs of rat activity include:		Key signs of rat activity include:
Line 12:		Line 12:
	* Rat droppings, usually around 20 mm long and found in groups.		* Rat droppings, usually around 20 mm long and found in groups.
	* Walls with smudge marks or hairs caught on low-level brickwork.		* Walls with smudge marks or hairs caught on low-level brickwork.
−	* Scratching or scurrying noises in ~~the~~ walls and above ceilings.	+	* Scratching or scurrying noises in walls and above ceilings.
	* Nests and piled-nest materials.		* Nests and piled-nest materials.

−	Surveyors should look out for these key signs when carrying out a pre-assessment of likely hazards and ~~risks to be encountered on a project~~.	+	Surveyors should also look out for these key signs when carrying out a pre-assessment of likely hazards on sites and potential sites.

	= Infection =		= Infection =

−	The primary health hazard posed by rats ~~to site operatives~~ is Weil’s disease, a serious form of leptospirosis~~. This is~~ caused by exposure to rat’s urine containing the bacterium, through cuts, scratches and abrasions, and through the lining of the mouth, throat and eyes.	+	The primary health hazard posed by rats is Weil’s disease, a serious form of leptospirosis caused by exposure to rat’s urine containing the bacterium, through cuts, scratches and abrasions, and through the lining of the mouth, throat and eyes.

	Symptoms are typically similar to flu at the outset – muscle cramps, nausea, headaches – but can cause jaundice, kidney failure, meningitis, and in some cases can be fatal. Other diseases that rats can transmit to humans include:		Symptoms are typically similar to flu at the outset – muscle cramps, nausea, headaches – but can cause jaundice, kidney failure, meningitis, and in some cases can be fatal. Other diseases that rats can transmit to humans include:
Line 29:		Line 29:
	* Toxicaria.		* Toxicaria.

−	It is possible to be infected even when ~~there is~~ no ~~more presence of rats in the area. Therefore~~, ~~adequate caution~~ must be ~~taken by operatives~~ working in areas with a high quantity of water or in derelict buildings.	+	It is possible to become infected even when rats are no longer present, and so workers must be cautious working in any areas with a high quantity of water or in derelict buildings.

	=== Protecting against infection ===		=== Protecting against infection ===

−	There are several steps that ~~operatives~~ can take to protect ~~themselves~~ against infection~~. These include~~:	+	There are several steps that can take to protect against infection:

	* Ensuring that cuts, grazes or abrasions are covered with waterproof dressings.		* Ensuring that cuts, grazes or abrasions are covered with waterproof dressings.
−	* ~~Having adequate~~ safety gloves.	+	* Using suitable safety gloves.
−	* ~~If suffering a cut, washing the skin~~ with soap and running water before covering with dressings.	+	* Washing cuts with soap and running water before covering with dressings.
	* Washing hands before eating, drinking or smoking, and avoiding hand-to-mouth contact.		* Washing hands before eating, drinking or smoking, and avoiding hand-to-mouth contact.
−	* ~~Avoid~~ cornering ~~a live rat~~ as it can jump.	+	* Avoiding cornering rats as they can jump.
−	* ~~Avoid~~ touching a dead rat with unprotected hands.	+	* Avoiding touching a dead rat with unprotected hands.
−	* Seeking medical attention as soon as possible if ~~starting to experience~~ symptoms.	+	* Seeking medical attention as soon as possible if symptoms of infection are experienced.

	= Structural damage =		= Structural damage =

−	Rodents can also cause significant structural damage. They can undermine a building’s fabric and, by burrowing between joints in surrounding earth and behind brick sewers~~, damage drainage~~. They may cause flooding by damaging pipework, and create ~~potential~~ fire hazards by damaging electrical wiring.	+	Rodents can also cause significant structural damage. They can undermine a building’s fabric and can damage drainage by burrowing between joints in the surrounding earth and behind brick sewers. They may cause flooding by damaging pipework, and can create fire hazards by damaging electrical wiring.

−	Preventive measures can include placing fine mesh over air bricks to ~~prohibit~~ rodent entry~~. The issues of~~ voids ~~where there will be a ducted heating system should also be addressed as this can be a typical entry location. Hinged~~ plates ~~can be specified for~~ drains and sewers ~~which help alleviate potential flooding issues~~ and ~~also stop rodent entry~~.	+	Preventive measures can include; placing fine mesh over air bricks to prevent rodent entry, closing off voids around ducts and other penetrations through the building fabric, properly capping drains, installing hinged plates in drains and sewers and so on.

	= Find out more =		= Find out more =

Editor: Created page with "= Introduction = The brown rat, rattus norvegicus, is a UK rodent that is closely associated with human activity. Primary habitats include sewers, canals and rivers; however, th..."

2016-09-09T10:41:51Z

Created page with "= Introduction = The brown rat, rattus norvegicus, is a UK rodent that is closely associated with human activity. Primary habitats include sewers, canals and rivers; however, th..."

New page

= Introduction =

The brown rat, rattus norvegicus, is a UK rodent that is closely associated with human activity. Primary habitats include sewers, canals and rivers; however, they are often found in derelict sites or near readily accessible food sources. Rats can pose a risk to construction workers due to the frequency with which they may be in close proximity.

Construction work on greenfield sites can often disturb rodent populations, as it can on brownfield sites, for example, when undertaking roadworks or demolishing or renovating old buildings. Establishing construction sites with material storage, temporary offices and worker facilities, can often become ideal harbourages for rodents.

The impact of rodents during construction should be minimised wherever possible, often requiring developers and site managers to recognise key signs of pest activity. Addressing pest issues swiftly prevents them from becoming major concerns and hazards to workers.

Key signs of rat activity include:

* Chewed electrical cables, rubber pipework or pipe insulation.
* Rat droppings, usually around 20 mm long and found in groups.
* Walls with smudge marks or hairs caught on low-level brickwork.
* Scratching or scurrying noises in the walls and above ceilings.
* Nests and piled-nest materials.

Surveyors should look out for these key signs when carrying out a pre-assessment of likely hazards and risks to be encountered on a project.

= Infection =

The primary health hazard posed by rats to site operatives is Weil’s disease, a serious form of leptospirosis. This is caused by exposure to rat’s urine containing the bacterium, through cuts, scratches and abrasions, and through the lining of the mouth, throat and eyes.

Symptoms are typically similar to flu at the outset – muscle cramps, nausea, headaches – but can cause jaundice, kidney failure, meningitis, and in some cases can be fatal. Other diseases that rats can transmit to humans include:

* Salmonellosis.
* Rat-bite fever.
* Listeria.
* Toxoplasmosis.
* Toxicaria.

It is possible to be infected even when there is no more presence of rats in the area. Therefore, adequate caution must be taken by operatives working in areas with a high quantity of water or in derelict buildings.

=== Protecting against infection ===

There are several steps that operatives can take to protect themselves against infection. These include:

* Ensuring that cuts, grazes or abrasions are covered with waterproof dressings.
* Having adequate safety gloves.
* If suffering a cut, washing the skin with soap and running water before covering with dressings.
* Washing hands before eating, drinking or smoking, and avoiding hand-to-mouth contact.
* Avoid cornering a live rat as it can jump.
* Avoid touching a dead rat with unprotected hands.
* Seeking medical attention as soon as possible if starting to experience symptoms.

= Structural damage =

Rodents can also cause significant structural damage. They can undermine a building’s fabric and, by burrowing between joints in surrounding earth and behind brick sewers, damage drainage. They may cause flooding by damaging pipework, and create potential fire hazards by damaging electrical wiring.

Preventive measures can include placing fine mesh over air bricks to prohibit rodent entry. The issues of voids where there will be a ducted heating system should also be addressed as this can be a typical entry location. Hinged plates can be specified for drains and sewers which help alleviate potential flooding issues and also stop rodent entry.

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===

* Construction site inspection.
* Dry rot fungus.
* First aider.
* Gnats.
* Hazardous substances.
* Health and safety.
* Japanese knotweed.
* Mitie - drone pest control inspection.
* Personal protective equipment.
* Site surveys.
* The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.
* Woodworm and spiders.

=== External resources ===

* RICS - [http://www.rics.org/uk/news/news-insight/comment/beware-of-rats/ Beware of rats]

[[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]]