Most people know about poison ivy, but there is a new, much more poisonous plant invading Ontario's outdoors and putting workers at risk. It's called giant hogweed.

Use this article as a safety talk to inform your outdoor workers about the hazards.

How can it hurt you?

Giant hogweed is very poisonous:

• Skin contact with the sap in the presence of UV light (such as sunlight) can cause swelling, itching, and blistering that lasts for months. Some people then become sensitive to UV light and experience a skin-color change that can last for years.
• If the sap gets into your eyes, it can cause permanent blindness.

How can we control the hazard?

Employers and supervisors

Before work starts, notify workers about giant hogweed in the area and how it can hurt them.

Workers and others

• Never touch or brush up against the plant with bare skin.
• If you must work near the plant, cover all body parts using impermeable coveralls, gloves, and a face shield to protect the eyes and face.
• Avoid using power tools near the plant because breaking or crushing the stem or leaves can release the toxic sap.
• The only person that should remove a plant is someone who knows
  • the hazards
  • what controls will prevent contact
  • how to prevent dispersal of the plant (seeds scattering and later growing into full-grown plants).