| Hazard | Signs | Prevention | Suggested Response |
| Heat Stress & Exposure | Headaches, dizziness, vomiting, dry, hot skin, confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness. | Block out sun, rest regularly, drink lots of water (at least 1 cup every 20 minutes), avoid alcohol and caffeine. | Move to cool, shaded area, loosen or remove heavy clothing, provide cool drinking water, fan and mist the person with water, call 911. |
| Severe Weather | Sudden reversal of wind direction, rise in wind speed, sharp drop in temperature, heavy rain, hail and lightening. | Watch for onset conditions and retreat to safety before the weather arrives. | Take shelter in building if possible. When no shelter - avoid high objects, sit or lie down. Drop to the ground if electrical charge is felt. |
| Downed Power Lines | Downed power line, downed conductor. | Assume electrical lines are energized. Do not drive over downed power lines. Look for downed conductors as they may energize other objects- fences, water pipes, bushes, trees, etc. | If vehicle is electrified, do not get out unless the car is on fire. If on fire, attempt to jump completely clear (not touching vehicle and ground at same time). Land with both feet together and bunny hop to safety. |
| Flood Water Contact | Bacterial infection; stomachache, fever, vomiting, diarrhea. | Wear boots and rain gear. Protect from cuts and scrapes. Wash hands often. | Use soap and water to clean exposed areas. See doctor if ill. |
| Poisonous Plants | Red rash within days. Possible bumps, patches, streaking or weeping blisters. Swelling, itching. | Wear long pants, boots. Identify plants using "Leaves of 3, let it be." | Rinse skin with rubbing alcohol or degreasing soap. Do not scratch. Take antihistamines and apply wet compresses, calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to reduce itching. |
| Aggressive Dogs | Growling, snarling, snapping, hissing, tail high and stiff, hair on back standing up. | Remain still. Avoid direct eye contact. Allow space for animal to escape. Put something between you and dog (trash can lid). | If you fall, protect your head; curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and remain motionless. Wash wounds immediately with soap. |
| Arachnids | Spiders: itching or rash, pain radiating from bite, muscle pain, reddish to purplish color skin or blister. | Wear long pants, avoid stacked or undisturbed piles of materials and tall grass. | Identify type of spider if possible, wash bite area with soap and water, apply ice, elevate bite area, seek medical attention. |
| Arachnids | Scorpion: Stinging or burning sensation with very little swelling. Extreme pain when sting is tapped. Restlessness, convulsions, thick tongue sensation. | Wear long pants. May hide under rocks and wood on ground. | Apply ice to sting site, do not take sedatives. If possible, capture scorpion. Contact poison control for advice. |
| Snakes | Puncture marks at wound. Redness and swelling. Severe pain at site of the bite. Nausea and vomiting, labored breathing, numbness or tingling around face or limbs. | Stay away from tall grass, rocks and piles of leaves when possible. Wear boots and long pants. | Remember color and shape of snake. Keep still and calm. Seek medical attention immediately. lay or sit down with bite below heart. Wash the bite with soap and water and cover with clean, dry dressing. DO NOT: attempt to catch snake, apply tourniquet, slash wound, suck out venom or apply ice. |
| Insects | Ticks: body aches, fever, headaches, fatigue, rash, stiff neck, facial paralysis. | Wear repellent with Deet, long pants. Avoid sites with woods, bushes, tall grass. | Remove ticks with fine-tipped tweezers- grasp tick firmly as close to skin as possible. Clean area with soap and water. |
| Insects | Bees, wasps, hornets: sever pain at sting site. | Avoid perfumed soaps, shampoos and deodorants. Bathe daily. If one attacking do not run. If many, run indoors or jump in water. | Ensure no allergic reaction, wash site with soap and water. Remove stinger using gauze wiped over area or by scraping fingernail over area (no tweezers). Apply ice. Antihistamines may help. |
| Insects | Fire ants: Burning sensation, red bumps may form white fluid-filled pustules. | Wear long pants, socks tucked in. Avoid ant mounds. May also be found on trees or in water. | Seek medical attention if sting causes chest pain, nausea, severe sweating, loss of breath, severe sweating or slurred speech. |
| Incident Stress | Disorientation, fatigue, memory loss, behavior shifts (risk-taking, easily angered). Inability to relax off-duty. | Pace yourself (<12 hour workday), monitor each other, take frequent rest breaks and maintain adequate nutrition. | Inform your Supervisor, demobilize appropriately. Seek counseling. Avoid drugs and alcohol. |
| Eye Trauma | Speck in eye, cuts, punctures, objects, chemical burn. | Wear safety glasses if needed. | Speck in eye: do not rub, flush eye with eye wash, see doctor if speck does not wash out or if pain continues.
Cuts, punctures, objects: do not wash out,do not try to remove object, stabilize eye without pressure (use paper cup).
Chemical burn: flush with drinkable water for 15+ minutes. |