Is a medical evaluation recommended immediately after finding a tick?
As the weather starts warming up I wanted to get some guidance on tick bites, and when it is necessary to recommend a medical evaluation. My understanding is that even if an employee finds a tick on themselves, it isn't until they are prescribed antibiotics that it becomes recordable.
Obviously a medical professional will be the one to determine if the employee needs antibiotics, but should the employee be sent to a doctor immediately upon finding a tick, or only after showing symptoms?
I found the OSHA guidelines for it, but couldn't get a clear answer on my question:
https://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib021103.html
Thanks!
Comments (3)
My first question, has it been proven the tick bite occurred while employee was on the job?
Managing manufacturing facilities, I don't have any employees who are required to do much outside ;)
I would also say this, prevention is the best medicine. We know this year is supposed to be bad for ticks.
That being said, having a toolbox talk with your maintenance staff - regarding what to wear while outdoors/tick identification/removal etc would go a long way.
If a tick is found and removed, I would save the tick in a jar after removal. If any symptoms start to develop with the employee over the next couple weeks, then I'd send them to a doctor and have the tick tested for disease. If no symptoms occur, treatment is not needed, and it can remain off the OSHA log.