Insect Stings and Anaphylaxis on Site

29 CFR 1926.50 · This talk in Spanish

Why it matters

Wasps nest in the exact places we work: eaves, attics, meter boxes, irrigation valve boxes, and brush piles. For workers allergic to venom, a sting can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that needs emergency care right away. NIOSH says workers with a history of severe reactions should carry an EpiPen. Today: nests, swarms, and the allergy plan.

Hazards

⚠ Disturbed nests in eaves, soffits, boxes, and equipment left idle
⚠ Swarm attacks when a nest is hit with a tool or mower
⚠ Anaphylaxis: a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction
⚠ Falls from ladders and roofs while swatting or fleeing
⚠ Fire ant mounds around slabs and landscaping in southern states
⚠ Nobody knowing a coworker was allergic until it happens

Controls and safe practices

✓ Scan before work: eaves, boxes, voids, and equipment that sat idle get a look before hands go in.
✓ Found a nest: mark it, back off, and treat or remove it before working there, off-hours when possible.
✓ Allergic crew members tell the foreman and carry their epinephrine ON them, not in a truck across the site.
✓ Crew knows where auto-injectors are and how to use one by the device instructions, then calls 911.
✓ If attacked: get away from the nest calmly; never jump off a roof or ladder.
✓ On ladders and roofs, retreat deliberately; the sting hurts less than the fall.
✓ Any breathing trouble, face swelling, or full-body hives after a sting: epinephrine and 911, immediately.

What OSHA says

Exact words from the official text, with a link to each paragraph.

“Provisions shall be made prior to commencement of the project for prompt medical attention in case of serious injury.”

29 CFR 1926.50(b)

“Proper equipment for prompt transportation of the injured person to a physician or hospital, or a communication system for contacting necessary ambulance service, shall be provided.”

29 CFR 1926.50(e)

“First aid supplies shall be easily accessible when required.”

29 CFR 1926.50(d)(1)

“People who are allergic to venom may experience anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate emergency care.”

NIOSH Insects and Scorpions (anaphylaxis)

“Workers with a history of severe allergic reactions to insect bites or stings should carry an EpiPen and wear a medical identification bracelet or necklace.”

NIOSH Insects and Scorpions (EpiPen)

Site check before the talk

Walk the site and tick each line. Each line comes from the text quoted above.

☐Know the plan for getting fast medical help on this job before a sting happens. (29 CFR 1926.50(b))
☐Make sure a working phone or radio can reach an ambulance from where we work. (29 CFR 1926.50(e))
☐Know where the first aid kit is and keep it easy to reach. (29 CFR 1926.50(d)(1))
☐Treat any sign of anaphylaxis as an emergency that needs care right away. (NIOSH Insects and Scorpions (anaphylaxis))
☐If you have had a bad reaction to a sting before, carry your EpiPen on you. (NIOSH Insects and Scorpions (EpiPen))

Quotes checked word for word against the official OSHA text on October 5, 2026. This is a summary for a crew talk, not legal advice; the full official text governs. How we check

Crew discussion questions

Who on this crew is allergic, and where is their epinephrine right now?
Where have we seen nests on this site?
What is the retreat plan from the roof if a nest opens up?
Does everyone know how to use an auto-injector?

Applicable OSHA standards

29 CFR 1926.50

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