This question mainly goes out to the wholesalers or anyone that handles new live stock daily. What do you guys do to take percaution in preventing bad infections if any at all? I just read the article by Steven Pro regarding infections that can come from salt water tanks. The pictures were very nasty and made me think to make the use of gloves mandatory when handling live rock or corals. Am I being over paranoid?
Dealing with infections while handling live stock daily
- Thread starter mrmoo
- Start date
I'm not a wholesaler - I'm a retailer. I handle livestock daily. Other than washing my hands and being careful about myself I don't take any special precautions. I'm also aware of many of the potential hazards - toxins, infections etc. And I guess I have a pretty good immune system.
One thing I do take care of is if I'm working in a tank, I make sure to remove any salt creep around the top of the tank before I start working in it. A common problem that seems to arise is that people expose their upper arm to potential infection by not doing this. You're in there scrubbing algae, your arm is rubbing around at the top of the tank against the salt creep. The salt roughs up your skin and opens the door to infection, next thing you know you've got a big rash. It's a simple thing to just make sure you're not roughing yourself up.
As for handling live rock and such, I think my hands are tough enough now that they don't wound easily. I've been stung by bristle worms so often that it's barely an annoyance now, unless they find a new spot on my skin that hasn't been stung before
My biggest fears are toxins from zoanthids and palythoa - I rinse my hands very carefully after handling them, and stings from venomous fish - and a healthy respect of those is my best defense.
I did get a nasty bite last fall from a viper eel. Broke the skin, I bled like crazy. The skin healed in a few days, but the wound showed signs of infection a week later, and swelled up (no eruptions of the skin, it was all sub-cutaneous). I showed it to my doctor a few days after the swelling started, but by then it had started to subside. Doc said I appeared to be winning the battle over a minor infection on my own so I did not get antibiotics but was instructed that if it got worse, to see her for some. It went away on its own.
I know that there are some infections that are really nasty and require months of painful treatments - I guess we're all vulnerable to them, but thusfar (knock on wood) I've managed to avoid any major problems.
The problem with gloves is that water will get into them anyway - and unless you've got some heavy duty gloves, live rock will shred them pretty fast.
Being aware is half the battle I think - being careful too.
Jenn
One thing I do take care of is if I'm working in a tank, I make sure to remove any salt creep around the top of the tank before I start working in it. A common problem that seems to arise is that people expose their upper arm to potential infection by not doing this. You're in there scrubbing algae, your arm is rubbing around at the top of the tank against the salt creep. The salt roughs up your skin and opens the door to infection, next thing you know you've got a big rash. It's a simple thing to just make sure you're not roughing yourself up.
As for handling live rock and such, I think my hands are tough enough now that they don't wound easily. I've been stung by bristle worms so often that it's barely an annoyance now, unless they find a new spot on my skin that hasn't been stung before
My biggest fears are toxins from zoanthids and palythoa - I rinse my hands very carefully after handling them, and stings from venomous fish - and a healthy respect of those is my best defense.
I did get a nasty bite last fall from a viper eel. Broke the skin, I bled like crazy. The skin healed in a few days, but the wound showed signs of infection a week later, and swelled up (no eruptions of the skin, it was all sub-cutaneous). I showed it to my doctor a few days after the swelling started, but by then it had started to subside. Doc said I appeared to be winning the battle over a minor infection on my own so I did not get antibiotics but was instructed that if it got worse, to see her for some. It went away on its own.
I know that there are some infections that are really nasty and require months of painful treatments - I guess we're all vulnerable to them, but thusfar (knock on wood) I've managed to avoid any major problems.
The problem with gloves is that water will get into them anyway - and unless you've got some heavy duty gloves, live rock will shred them pretty fast.
Being aware is half the battle I think - being careful too.
Jenn
It is always better to be prudent, and employing a health protocol is not something pretentious. My immune system is, so far, working great for me, but I always ware latex gloves when handling the corals and live rock. When I work with zoanthids and palythoa, I also ware goggles to protect my eye from their toxic squirts. One hobbyist who works extensively with zoa and paly, got the great idea to ware a small clear face shield, that can be found in any hardware store. This way he protecta his eyes and mouth, without any difficulties. Most people use regular towels, and after use they throw them in a laundry basket. It’s still a potential hazard, so I use, instead, paper towels, and throw them away after each use - for me it is both, practical and safe.
To conclude, I just want to say that bravery has its place in life, no doubt about that, and many times ignorance may feel the same , but is a totally different thing.
To conclude, I just want to say that bravery has its place in life, no doubt about that, and many times ignorance may feel the same , but is a totally different thing.
Absolutely there is a long list of safety protocol's we live by at our business......
From everyone working with fish and around the water must wear safety glasses, we also have respirators for certain process's (each employee is trained and signed off by doctors), lab coats, latex gloves, plastic gloves for customers near the anemone sections, etc...etc....
I don't imagine everyone has dove into their OSHA regulations such as we have, but years ago, we felt it was very important to comply, so we sought professional consulting to cover our A - Z policies and storage.
I have seen rashes and burns on skin from anemones or just constant exposure to saltwater....so depending on the person....
Bottom line, take precautions and wash your hands after water exposure!
Best regards
From everyone working with fish and around the water must wear safety glasses, we also have respirators for certain process's (each employee is trained and signed off by doctors), lab coats, latex gloves, plastic gloves for customers near the anemone sections, etc...etc....
I don't imagine everyone has dove into their OSHA regulations such as we have, but years ago, we felt it was very important to comply, so we sought professional consulting to cover our A - Z policies and storage.
I have seen rashes and burns on skin from anemones or just constant exposure to saltwater....so depending on the person....
Bottom line, take precautions and wash your hands after water exposure!
Best regards
I would suggest the best thing to do is find an independant consultant to come visit your place of business and give you all the information you will need to comply. You are talking about storage for your medications/labeling etc...., safety equipment....procedures....so much to take in, so enjoy the ride!
Best regards
Eric
Best regards
Eric
Thanks. I think I foud it - www.osha.gov
In addition, if you're really concerned about venomous or poisonous animals, you should have a protocol written up at the ready in case something happens. Laminate it and hang it on the back of the tank. It's always simple to find out how to treat palytoxin poisoning or a stonefish envonemation when you're sitting comfortably on your couch. Different story when it actually happens. Get a 1 or 2 page instruction guide you can quickly grab and get to the hospital.
Use latex gloves. Be aware of venomous/biting animals at all times and use tongs, claws, etc while working in the tank. When I handle large amounts of live rock I use gardening gloves over latex. All sorts of nasty sharp stuff in there to poke you. I think that's about it. The salt creep on the inner upper forearm is a pain for me too! :evil:
Use latex gloves. Be aware of venomous/biting animals at all times and use tongs, claws, etc while working in the tank. When I handle large amounts of live rock I use gardening gloves over latex. All sorts of nasty sharp stuff in there to poke you. I think that's about it. The salt creep on the inner upper forearm is a pain for me too! :evil:
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