Safety Bulletin 15 Vector In Tents.doc

Kellogg Brown & Root Safety Information

LOGCAP III Central Asia

Afghanistan-Uzbekistan

Watch Out Who is Sleeping in Your Tent ! SAFETY BULLETIN 15

You heard about them while processing through Houston. You heard about them during your site in-briefing. You more than likely heard about them a time or two during your regular work activities. What are we referring to? We are talking about the wildlife indigenous to our base – i.e. ants, chiggers, lizards, mice, monitors, sand flies, scorpions, snakes, spiders, ticks and the list goes on. Everywhere you turn to on this base; one can encounter one or more of these species. Some are no more than a nuisance. Others can be quite harmful if not downright deadly. The risk these creatures pose vary as well as the potential injury they can inflict. The injuries that employees may experience will depend on a number of factors (type of creature, type of injury/exposure, the victim’s physiology - i.e. immune system etc.). Personnel can experience the ill effects from disease and or sustain wounds ranging from bites, stings, punctures, scratches; to severe allergic reactions and poisoning. Some exposures or wounds if not treated properly, can ultimately lead to infection, disfigurement, amputation or even death. All of us here are far from our homes. Now we find ourselves in a foreign environment. The potential risks that exist are also foreign. The knowledge and precautionary measures that we practiced back home cannot be expected to work entirely over here. The risks come from the newer species that we are now susceptible to. Many of the problems that arise from these risks cannot be remedied easily due to the environment, logistics and the proximity to advanced medical facilities. Although we have a very competent health staff here on base, there are limitations on the services and the treatments that can be provided. Most of the hazards from wildlife can be avoided by easily changing some of our habits. A prime example would be that cluttered and untidy areas provide prime nesting sites for insects and rodents. They are also attracted to food left out unsealed, in flimsy packages or in easily accessible areas. Rodents present several health risks stemming from their feces, possible diseases associated with the mites they carry and they attract their natural predators; cats, wild dogs and our all-time favorite, snakes. In nature, just about every creature has a natural predator aside from man. It’s all part of the food chain. Most of us know how to cope with or eliminate the insects and rodents. But the predators are a different story. Predators have a tendency to prefer to keep out of site in order to afford them a chance at catching their prey. With that said, it is not hard to understand why one or more types of predator(s) can be founding hunting in our living areas, especially if the above conditions exist. It is aggravating to some, having to constantly search for any these creatures prior to being able to relax or go to sleep. If you reduce the clutter and eliminate the food source; you reduce the time it takes to scan your area and the possibility of encountering any predator. The message being presented here is by no means an attempt to scare anyone. It is an attempt to heighten your awareness and give you insight to your surroundings. Knowing what to look out for will assist you in protecting yourself. We need to remember, to be aware of the unexpected. If we 24 August 2003 Kellogg Brown & Root Proprietary Data NOTE: This document contains information which may be withheld from the public because disclosure would cause a foreseeable harm to an interest protected by one or more Exemptions of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 USC Section 552. Furthermore, it is requested that any Government entity receiving this information act in accordance with DoD 5400.7-R, and consider this information as being for official use only (FOUO), and mark, handle and store this information so as to prevent unauthorized access.

Kellogg Brown & Root Safety Information

LOGCAP III Central Asia

Afghanistan-Uzbekistan

don’t, we might be the victim in an encounter with one of these creatures. You also need to remember that the wildlife we encounter was here prior to our arrival and will more than likely be here long after we leave. The best we can do is try to identify what wildlife is harmful to us and attempt to alter or if need be eliminate its habitat.

This snake (Saw-scaled Viper) was found in one of our living quarters. The snake was a female that expected to give birth sometime in the near future. This snake was larger than most that have been observed for this particular species. This species has perhaps the most toxic venom for vipers known. Additional information can be accessed on shared folders or printout on the HSE board.

24 August 2003 Kellogg Brown & Root Proprietary Data NOTE: This document contains information which may be withheld from the public because disclosure would cause a foreseeable harm to an interest protected by one or more Exemptions of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 USC Section 552. Furthermore, it is requested that any Government entity receiving this information act in accordance with DoD 5400.7-R, and consider this information as being for official use only (FOUO), and mark, handle and store this information so as to prevent unauthorized access.