29 Jan Poison Oak – Leaves of Three, Let Them Be!

Poison Oak – Leaves of Three, Let Them Be!

Poison oak is a common outdoor hazard, particularly for employees working in construction, landscaping, utilities, surveying, forestry, and other areas where vegetation is present. Contact with poison oak can cause an itchy, painful rash that may become severe enough to require medical treatment or interfere with work.

Poison oak contains urushiol, an oily substance found in the leaves, stems, vines, and roots. Exposure can occur through direct contact with the plant or indirectly from contaminated clothing, tools, equipment, footwear, or animal fur.

Recognize Poison Oak

Learn to recognize poison oak before beginning work in vegetated areas. Remember the common warning:

“Leaves of three, let them be.”

Poison oak:

• Typically has three leaflets attached to a single stem.
• Often has leaves resembling small oak leaves.
• May appear shiny because of surface oils.
• Can change color with the seasons.
• May grow as a low shrub, upright woody shrub, or climbing vine.
• Can grow in both wooded and relatively dry areas.
• Remains hazardous even after the leaves have fallen.

Do not assume that a dormant, dead, or leafless plant is safe. Urushiol can remain on dead plant material and contaminated objects for extended periods.

Avoid Exposure

The best protection is to avoid contact whenever possible.

Before beginning work:

• Inspect the area for poison oak.
• Inform coworkers when poison oak is identified.
• Establish alternate access or work routes when practical.
• Avoid touching unidentified vegetation.
• Do not handle poison oak with bare hands.
• Avoid contact with tools, equipment, clothing, or animals that may have contacted the plant.

Never intentionally eat or place any part of an unidentified plant in your mouth.

Protect Yourself

When work in or around poison oak cannot be avoided:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Wear appropriate gloves that prevent skin contact with plant oils.
• Wear boots or other protective footwear.
• Keep pant legs positioned to minimize exposed skin.
• Consider approved barrier products specifically designed to reduce urushiol exposure when appropriate.
• Avoid touching your face or exposed skin with contaminated gloves.
• Remove contaminated PPE and clothing carefully to prevent transferring the oil to your skin.

Barrier products are supplemental protection and do not replace protective clothing or proper washing after exposure.

If Contact Occurs

If you believe your skin has contacted poison oak, act promptly.

• Wash exposed skin as soon as possible using soap or an appropriate poison-plant cleanser and plenty of water.
• Clean underneath fingernails.
• Avoid spreading contamination to other areas of your body.
• Shower rather than bathe when significant contamination is suspected.
• Remove potentially contaminated clothing carefully.
• Wash contaminated clothing separately before wearing it again.
• Thoroughly clean footwear, tools, equipment, and other objects that may contain plant oil.
• Wash reusable gloves according to the manufacturer’s instructions or properly dispose of contaminated disposable gloves.

Remember that the rash itself is not contagious. Contact with urushiol remaining on skin, clothing, tools, or other surfaces is what can expose another person.

Never Burn Poison Oak

Never burn poison oak or vegetation suspected of containing poison oak.

Burning can carry urushiol in smoke and airborne particles. Inhaling contaminated smoke can cause serious respiratory exposure and requires prompt medical evaluation.

Poison oak removal should be performed only using approved methods and by employees who have been trained and properly protected for the task. Follow manufacturer instructions when herbicides are used.

Symptoms and Medical Attention

A reaction may include:

• Redness.
• Itching.
• Swelling.
• Rash.
• Blisters.

Avoid scratching affected areas because damaged skin can become infected.

Seek medical attention for severe reactions, significant swelling, extensive blistering, difficulty breathing, suspected inhalation exposure, or involvement of sensitive areas such as the eyes or face.

Report work-related poison oak exposures according to company procedures.

Remember

Leaves of three, let them be. Avoid poison oak whenever possible. When exposure cannot be avoided, cover exposed skin, use appropriate PPE, and thoroughly wash yourself and contaminated clothing, tools, and equipment.

Never burn poison oak.