In London they say that you are never more than six feet away from a rat and other large urban areas are not far behind. And just in case anyone took any comfort from the fall in the National Pest Technician Association (NPTA) annual survey showing a fall in recorded local authority rat and mouse treatments – this looks more like the result of budget cuts than a diminution in the rodent population.[1]
“Not so long ago we’d have welcomed the significant fall in professional rodent treatments reported by the public sector in 2009/10 as a sure sign of success in the constant battle against rats and mice,” says NPTA chief executive John Davison. “But its clear association with greater local authority charging for what always used to be seen as an important public health duty sounds a serious warning for the future. All the more so for the fact that the real impact of council cuts will only become apparent from now on.”
So what does this mean for employers and occupiers of commercial premises?
Somewhere a mouse is waiting
It would appear no work premises are immune from the risk of visitations from these determined furry visitors. One office-based employee in London told The People Bulletin that not only had their been a terrible smell coming from the ceiling tiles for a week or so – a dead rat was later removed – but mouse droppings were found all over the desks and computer keyboards. The ‘team biscuits’ left in packets on worktops but not sealed in airtight containers were the culprits.
And the urban legend of a printer jam because of a mouse stuck in the machinery has the dubious status of ‘apparently real’.[2]
Rentokil has a helpful summary of the implications for businesses of rodent infestations on its website,[3] and cheerfully points out that:
- Mice are known to spread infections such as salmonella, hantavirus and Weil's disease.
- They cause damage to stock and buildings - their sharp teeth and can gnaw through cables, plastic and wooden doors.
- Foodstuffs and goods are at risk of contamination. On the underside of mice, the wet fur soaked in urine can transmit diseases to work surfaces, table tops or anywhere the mouse has climbed.
The pest removal specialists go on to point out the risks of ignoring the problem. These are:
- Damage — to goods, foodstuffs and your health and hygiene reputation. Any pest control issues will have a negative effect on your scores on the doors food hygiene rating.[4]
- Alarm — immediate loss of customer and employee trust.
- Cost — can be considerable. Temporary business closure may be necessary.
- Legal — failure to comply with legislation, including Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (1974) and Food Safety Act (1990).
Food at work
One of the most common causes is employees eating at their desks and leaving food out rather than sealed in gnaw proof containers. Another is the state of computer keyboards, an issue highlighted by the Royal Society of Chemistry in May 2010. A spokesman told the Daily Mail: “There is evidence that mice run along a computer keyboard, pressing down on the keys to get at food crumbs left by people snacking while working. 'That is why it is important to wash your hands before eating food.”[5]
Practical steps for employers
Stephen Thomas a safety technical consultant at Croner Consulting has the following helpful hints:
“Pest infestations, particularly rodents, should be dealt with ASAP as they spread disease (primarily leptospirosis in the case of rats), cause damage to property and equipment by gnawing (also a possible fire hazard), cause concern to employees and undermine visitor/customer confidence.
Evidence to look for includes:
- bodies, larvae or pupae;
- droppings;
- webbing;
- damaged packaging;
- unaccounted for spillages;
- unusual smells;
- footprints; and
- greasy smears around pipes or holes.
“If an infestation is suspected or proven it is recommended that the services of a professional pest control contractor are taken up instead of trying to deal with the problem in-house. Pesticides/rodenticides must only be used by competent persons with a suitable COSHH assessment having been carried out. Where a contractor is used, their H&S credentials should be checked in relation to the job e.g. H&S policy, relevant hazardous substance datasheets, risk assessments relating to the specific job, safe systems of work etc. Risk assessments and safe systems of work should include not only pesticide use but also other relevant activities such as work at height.
Preventive controls include:
- ensuring premises are in such condition that pests cannot gain entry. This means having openings to the outside suitably screened to prevent access by flying insects, making sure any holes that may appear around door openings or near pipe or drain runs through walls and around drain covers are sealed up immediately;
- cleaning as you go, don't leave spillages to someone else;
- putting waste in bins, keep lids on and remove bags until the tops can be tied off. Don't overfill. Put the bags in the outside container as soon as they are full;
- keeping food covered;
- storing edible items off the floor;
- keeping lids on storage bins; and
- checking incoming goods for signs of infestation.”
[1] www.npta.org.uk/assets/pages/rodent_report.html
[2] http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/rodents/ss/mouse_jams_printer.htm
[3] www.rentokil.co.uk/commercial-pest-control/pest-problems/mouse-control/index.html
[4] www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk
[5] www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1277711/Is-keyboard-health-hazard-Dirty-consoles-attracting-rodents.html#ixzz1HuDCTdHY