Working with live wasps, bees or bumblebees

You, as the person responsible for stinging insect research, will ensure that:

• you offer a medical check-up (including an allergy test) through the Occupational Health Service at Lund University (Staff Pages) in good time before a person starts to work with stinging insects.
• everyone who starts working must be given a review of the procedures, read through the risk assessment and certify that they have understood the information.
• there is a lab binder that contains all the needed information. At least the guidelines for working with stinging insects from the Department of Biology, a printout of the certification, medicine-kit information, a record of stinging incidents and the risk assessment for the experiment performed.

Required safety measures for stinging insect work

Clear information on how to act in the event of a sting should be available. For example, it can be a plastic-wrapped/laminated printout with clear instructions placed at the front of the binder or posted visibly in the lab.

• Everyone working in the group should download the 112app (App Store or Google Play).
• Everyone in the group should have each other's contact information on their mobile phone.
• Protective clothing is available and functional, intact and clean. If there are several users, there should be more than one suit. Make sure they are washed after completion of the study. Protective clothing consists of a bee suit, gloves, shoes/boots and possibly underlay clothing.
• Everyone should know where the medicine kit is located. It is recommended that labs or people who work nearby also know about it.
• All members in the group must have read the medical package leaflets and confirmed that they can take the available medication. If the employee is unable to take that medication, for example, due to pregnancy, breastfeeding or other reasons, an alternative solution should be sought.
• The medicine kit is reviewed before each new experimental period and is restocked continuously.

Content in the medicine kit

We strongly recommend that the medicine kit includes the following:

• Xylocaine – relieves pain
• Anti-histamine tablets – Ebastine which works well on insect bites, may cause drowsiness. No anti-histamine tablet is recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, doctors should be consulted on the choice of another tablet.
• Betapred – a prescription cortisone that relieves itching and inhibits allergic reactions, relieves the symptoms of more severe reactions to insect bites. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should seek medical advice before using this medicine.
• Adrenaline pen – intended solely for the emergency treatment of suspected anaphylactic reaction to insect bites. It is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women unless it is a life-threatening situation.

Prescription medicine cannot be bought via LUPIN; these are purchased by the person with prescription rights, Bodil Sjögreen (contact information at the Staff Pages). Non-prescription medicine can be purchased by an employee with ID at Apoteket Svanen on a digital invoice. The purchaser must be specified as the reference person on the invoice.

In case of an allergic reaction

• If an employee has a mild allergic reaction, the person in charge should ensure that he/she can receive antihistamine tablets for 2-3 days.
• If employees have a severe reaction, they should do a new medical examination, and contact the Occupational Health Service (Staff Pages) and an allergy clinic.
• Please inform your safety representative and head of the division.
• Report in IA, the university's occupational injury system (Staff Pages). The notification must be sent to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency via IA.

Here are some questions to consider to guide you in filling out the Risk Assessment and Action Plan for working with stinging insects.

• Is there a risk of getting stung?
• Is there a risk of getting stinging insects inside the protective clothing?
• Is there a risk of a swollen and painful reaction after getting stung?
• Is there a risk of developing an allergy to stinging insects?
• Is there a risk of a severe reaction as an allergy chock?
• What other risks are there?
• If there is a risk, how do you minimise it? This is the content that shall be written in the action plan.

Pre-work preparation

• Undergo a medical check-up, including an allergy test, before starting work. Your manager/team leader can arrange this through the Occupational Health Service at Lund University (Staff Pages).
• Familiarise yourself with the location of the medical kit (including Betapred and an adrenaline pen), and ensure you are trained in how to use the adrenaline pen in an emergency.

Note: Antihistamines, Betapred, and adrenaline (like EpiPen) are not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult your physician for alternatives.

Emergency measures

• Download the 112app (App Store or Google Play), activate location sharing, and ensure your colleagues are aware of your work with stinging insects.
• In the event of a severe reaction (for example, swelling, difficulty breathing, or collapse), use the adrenaline pen immediately and call SOS Alarm through the app. They will track your location, but note that they cannot detect which floor you're on and cannot enter locked doors, so it's preferable to get outside.

During work

• Never work alone—always inform someone when you're working.
• Wear protective gear, including a securely fastened bee suit, gloves, and rubber boots. Check your gear thoroughly for insects before use.
• If you have been prescribed special adrenaline injections or sprays, keep them with you at all times. If you are allergic to stinging insects, always carry an adrenaline pen.

If you get stung

• Notify a colleague immediately and leave the work area to avoid further exposure. Take 2–4 antihistamines and stay under observation for 30–60 minutes.
• Document the incident in the lab binder, and avoid physical exertion or hot baths as they may worsen the reaction.
• Take antihistamines for 2–3 days to suppress future reactions. You should not pay for the antihistamine tablets yourself; your employer should do that. If you are stung frequently, notify your supervisor, get retested for allergies, and report incidents through IA, the university's occupational injury system (Staff Pages).
• Seek immediate medical help if you experience a severe reaction.

Health risks and symptoms

• Stings from insects may cause mild to severe allergic reactions. Even if a sting initially has minimal effects, sensitisation can develop over time.
• Most stings cause localised pain and swelling due to a non-allergic reaction. Mild allergic reactions may result in redness and pain over a large area.
• Life-threatening reactions (anaphylaxis) may occur within minutes of a sting, especially in highly allergic individuals, older people, or those with heart and respiratory issues.
• If signs of anaphylaxis occur (for example, hives, swelling, fainting), use the adrenaline pen and call 112 immediately.

Minimising the risk of being stung

Even with precautions, there is always a risk of being stung when working closely with stinging insects. If you have concerns or suspect an allergy, avoid areas where insect experiments are conducted.

• Wear Proper Protection: Always wear a securely fastened bee suit with a net hood, rubber gloves, and boots. Check your gear for insects before putting it on.
• Layering for Safety: Bumblebees and wasps can sting through clothing, so wear long sleeves and jeans under your bee suit for better protection.
• Store Clothing Safely: Keep protective clothing in a sealed container to prevent insects from crawling inside.
• Move Cautiously: Move slowly within the cage to avoid provoking insects. Always inspect objects like feeders or cameras for bees or wasps before handling them. Gently brush them away with a gloved hand – never blow on them, as carbon dioxide in your breath can aggravate them.

Certification

Now you are ready to fill in the certification form.