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June 2025 | National Safety Awareness Month
As summer sets in, so do a host of seasonal health risks that can impact your workforce—especially those working outdoors, in the field, or around vegetation and coastal areas. That’s why June’s National Safety Awareness Month is the perfect time for employers to take a closer look at environmental exposures and pathogens affecting job sites.
At WorkersFirst Clinics, we believe prevention starts with awareness and planning. Here's what your team should be prepared for this season:
Outdoor workers face increased exposure to ticks, mosquitoes, spiders, bees, and other insects. These bites can cause everything from minor irritation to severe allergic reactions or vector-borne illness.
✅ Encourage use of EPA-registered insect repellents
✅ Train employees to recognize early signs of anaphylaxis or systemic reactions (e.g., swelling, shortness of breath, rash)
✅ Equip work zones with bite kits, antihistamines, and epinephrine where appropriate
👉 Use the CDC Tick Bite Bot to assess and respond to tick exposure risks
Many worksites include overgrown or wooded areas where workers may encounter poison ivy, oak, or sumac—or even venomous snakes. These exposures can lead to painful rashes, swelling, and serious medical complications.
✅ Provide training on plant identification and avoidance techniques
✅ Require use of long sleeves, gloves, and protective footwear in vegetated areas
✅ Discuss wildlife safety as part of daily toolbox talks
Bites from venomous snakes or spiders—especially copperheads or black widows—can occur when clearing debris, lifting heavy equipment, or working in crawl spaces.
✅ Know how to respond calmly and correctly to a bite
✅ Ensure your team has access to emergency contact procedures and trained supervisors
✅ Reinforce reporting protocols and avoid myths (e.g., tourniquets or ice)
For dock crews and maritime workers, the threat of jellyfish stings and other marine injuries rises with the heat. These stings can cause pain, allergic reactions, or even systemic illness in rare cases.
✅ Stock vinegar and safe sting treatments in marine-area first aid kits
✅ Encourage glove use when handling nets or lines
✅ Train on how to rinse, not rub, and when to seek help
Don’t forget: UV exposure and dehydration are just as dangerous as insects and plants.
✅ Provide broad-spectrum sunscreen and shaded break areas
✅ Encourage hydration with electrolyte solutions (not just water)
✅ Promote awareness of signs of heat exhaustion and sunburn-related illness
Across all environments, your frontline defense is awareness. Encourage workers to:
At WorkersFirst Clinics, we support employers with:
Whether your employees work in the shipyard, on the roadside, in coastal zones, or in wooded environments, WFC is your year-round partner in keeping your workforce healthy, informed, and protected.
📞 Contact us today to schedule a Summer Safety Lunch & Learn or to stock your team with the right gear and training before the next heat wave or outbreak.