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)
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.
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 ;)