POISON OAK, POISON IVY POISON SUMAC

1. POISON OAK, POISON IVY & POISON SUMAC Construction Site Work Hazards

2. POISON OAK, POISON IVY & POISON SUMAC Approximately 85 percent of the general population will develop an allergy if exposed. The rash can greatly hinder the production of a worker by causing great discomfort and medical attention in bad cases. The best option for protection is to avoid these plants!!

3. POISON IVY Grows on woody vines or small shrubs. Three pointed leaflets; the middle leaflet has a much longer stalk than the two side ones. The leaflet edges can be smooth or toothed. Has small white berries.

4. POISON IVY LOCATIONS  Grows in a wide range of habitats, from moist and shady to open and dry. Grows across the continental United States.

5. Spring � reddish Summer � green Autumn � shades of yellow, orange and red SEASONS OF POISON IVY

6. POISON OAK Oak-like fuzzy leaves in clusters of three. It may have clusters of yellow berries.

7. POISON OAK LOCATIONS It has two distinct kinds: Eastern poison oak (New Jersey to Texas) grows as a low shrub. Western poison oak (Pacific Coast) grows to six-foot-tall clumps or vines up to 30 feet long.

8. SEASONS OF POISON OAK Spring - light, bright green with whitish green flowers clustered on the stems. Summer - yellow-green, pink, or reddish colors on some of the leaves, with small white or tan berries after the flowers of Spring. Fall - The fruit becomes darker, the leaves turn bright red or russet brown.

9. POISON SUMAC Clusters of 7 to 13 smooth edged leaves. Fruit grows between the leaf and the branch. (Nonpoisonous sumac has fruit growing from the ends of it's branches. ) Woody perennial shrub or small tree growing from 5 - 25 feet tall. Has red stem (rachis).

10. POISON SUMAC LOCATIONS Poison sumac grows exclusively in very wet or flooded soils, usually in swamps and peat bogs, in the eastern United States and Canada.

11. SEASONS OF POISON SUMAC Spring � green berries Summer � smooth, dark green and shining above Fall - bright yellow to deep purple, white berries

12. WHAT CAUSES THE RASH The poisonous oil called urushiol is in the roots, stems, leaves and fruits. May be transferred on the skin by direct contact with the plant or by contact with contaminated objects, such as clothing, shoes, tools. Must be sensitized by one exposure, rash will appear on second exposure if allergic. Rashes or lung irritations can also develop from inhaling the smoke of the burning plants.

13. SYMPTOMS Itching Redness Burning sensation Swelling Blisters Rash (may take up to 10 days to heal)

14. TREATMENT There is no cure, only the symptoms can be treated. Remove contaminated clothing to prevent further spreading. Wash thoroughly with soap and cool water as soon after exposure as possible. Can use rubbing alcohol to remove the oil.

15. TREATMENT Use calamine lotion to help with itching. Notify your physician if: rash appears on the face or all over the body, or results in a large number of blisters. May be prescribed a corticosteroid to relieve the inflammation.

16. SAFE WORK PRACTICES Teach employees how to recognize these poisonous plants and know how to avoid them. If exposure is necessary, wear heavy clothes (long sleeves and pants) and gloves. There are also commercial barrier creams that can be applied before exposure to minimize, but not completely prevent symptoms. Wash clothes and shoes immediately to prevent further contamination. Clean all tools and other equipment that may have been contaminated to prevent spreading.

17. ADDITIONAL SOURCE For more OSHA information on poison ivy and related plants, see OHSA�s Fact Sheet: Working Outdoors in Warm Climates. http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/working_outdoors.pdf