An expert Pest Control Service should include preparation of a site-specific “On site Risk Assessment Form”. This document can have various formats, however, the quintessential components are;
Identify hazards (risks) and take basic actions to eliminate or control hazards (risks) that have been identified.
Essentially, common-sense dictates how to safely perform a pest management procedure. Hazards such as electrical faults, asbestos and insufficient ventilation are often not identified by the Pest Manager and can often present a serious threat to health or, in some cases prove to be lethal.
CASE STUDY
January, 2012
Location..Brisbane western suburb.
Whilst carrying out a Pre-Purchase Timber Pest Inspection for my client on a house she was considering purchasing, the time came to inspect the roof void. As is necessary, the ladder was positioned under the man-hole access and climbing the ladder, the man-hole cover slid over to one side to allow me to enter the void.
What comes next should be standard operating procedure for ANYBODY considering entering a roof void…..I DID NOT ENTER THE ROOF VOID!
Why? Foil insulation had been installed and tacked onto the top of the ceiling joists. This meant that for as far as the torch could see, a blanket of shiny metal foil carpeted inside the void. Any footstep on the shiny blanket could have been my last! This is because, amongst other things, contact by the blanket and any 240v terminal (such as a light fitting) could electrify the foil and the rest would be history?
My point is this..
In this case I advised my client to arrange a licensed electrician to isolate all power to the building including the installed solar panels prior to me returning to complete the essential inspection to the roof void.More later..
