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Safety, Health, Environmental & Quality Bulletin No 659

14 February 2019

Pigeon Droppings

Following the deaths of two people in Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow where pigeon
droppings has been confirmed as a contributing factor to their deaths, we want to remind you of the
dangers of working near pigeon droppings.

A 73 year old woman and a 10 year old boy have died whilst at the hospital, and the Health Secretary
has confirmed that an infection caused by pigeon droppings was a contributing factor. The
investigation is still ongoing.

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It is likely that the source was pigeons entering a 12 floor machinery room thorough a small break in
the wall.

When working on forecourts it is common for canopies to have pigeon nests inside them and the
immediate area to contain in pigeon droppings, which can carry up to 60 different diseases, including
psittacosis. Always check the work area for pigeons or droppings before starting work. If there are
significant numbers of dead pigeons, nests or droppings, contact your line manager so we can arrange
for a specialist contractor remove them.

Always wear gloves and wash your hands regularly and before eating or drinking, avoid touching your
face.

Avoid disturbing any pigeon droppings wherever possible. If you need to remove a panel that has small
amount of droppings, wet the area down to prevent dust getting into the air. If panels contain
significant droppings stop and contact your line manager.

We are all a product of learning. Every skill we have; everything we know; everything we believe and everything we do has
been learned throughout the course of our lives. Some of us learn best by studying graphs and charts, some through visual
presentations, and some by reading detailed text books. It is important that we receive information in a format that works for
us as individuals! That’s why at Xmo Strata we use a variety of communication platforms such as bulletins, newsletters,
videos etc. However, if you feel there is a better way for us to share health and safety information, please let us know.
Ultimately, your safety is in your hands – but we will do all we can to keep you well informed!