Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac Safety Guide for Landscaping, Construction, and Outdoor Workers

Why Construction and Outdoor Workers Need to Know About Poison Plants

The CDC reports that 80-90% of adults develop rashes from poison ivy exposure, and the reaction can prevent you from working for days or weeks. For NARFA and AICC members working in landscaping, plumbing, HVAC, construction, and other outdoor trades, poison plant exposure is a serious workplace hazard that can impact your income and job performance.

Exposure to an amount smaller than a grain of salt causes reactions in most people. Understanding how to identify and avoid these plants, plus knowing what to do if exposure occurs, protects both your health and your livelihood.

Where You’ll Encounter Poison Plants on Job Sites

Poison ivy thrives throughout most of the United States in areas where construction and outdoor work commonly occurs. You’re likely to encounter these plants during:

Construction and Site Work: Property lines, lot clearing, utility corridors, foundation work, and areas around existing structures where poison ivy has established in unmaintained spaces.

Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance: Fence lines, overgrown areas, tree lines, drainage areas, and anywhere vegetation has grown unchecked for months or years.

Utility and Service Work: Outdoor equipment installations, underground utility access, service calls at residential properties with natural landscaping, and rural or suburban job sites.

General Outdoor Work: Any work involving existing vegetation, brush removal, or areas that haven’t been regularly maintained. Poison ivy commonly grows along building foundations, equipment areas, and transition zones between maintained and natural areas.

Quick Plant Identification

Poison Ivy – “Leaves of Three, Let Them Be”

Key Features:

• Three leaflets per leaf (middle leaflet larger)
• Grows as ground cover, shrub, or climbing vine
• Shiny or dull green leaves in summer
• Red/orange leaves in spring and fall
• Hairy, rope-like vines when climbing
• White berries in fall/winter
• No thorns

Year-Round Risks: Dead vines and stems contain active oils for up to 5 years. Winter exposure from dormant plants can still cause severe reactions.

Poison Oak and Sumac (Regional Variations)

• Poison Oak: Three rounded leaflets, fuzzy leaf undersides, typically western US
• Poison Sumac: 7-13 leaflets in pairs, wet/swampy areas, drooping pale berries

Protection Strategies for Outdoor Workers

Personal Protective Equipment

Essential Gear:

• Long pants and long-sleeved shirts (tightly woven fabrics)
• Work boots and gloves (waterproof when possible)
• Eye protection when working around overhead vines

Clothing Tips:

• Disposable coveralls for heavy brush work
• Wash work clothes separately in hot water
• Replace damaged protective equipment immediately

Work Practices

Before Starting Work:

• Survey job sites for poison plant populations
• Plan work routes to avoid identified problem areas
• Brief crew members on plant locations and risks

During Work:

• Stay alert for three-leaflet plants in work areas
• Avoid burning any vegetation (toxic smoke can cause lung irritation)
• Use mechanical tools to maintain distance from plants when possible
• Take breaks in clean areas away from vegetation

After Work:

• Clean tools with rubbing alcohol or soap and water
• Wash hands and exposed skin before eating, smoking, or touching face
• Shower as soon as possible after potential exposure

Immediate Response to Exposure

First 10 Minutes Are Critical

The urushiol oil begins absorbing into skin within 5-10 minutes, so quick action is essential:

Immediate Steps:

• Remove contaminated clothing without touching affected skin
• Rinse exposed skin with cool water (avoid hot water)
• Wash with dish soap or specialized poison ivy cleanser
• Use rubbing alcohol if available before soap and water
• Scrub gently with washcloth to remove oil

Equipment Cleaning:

• Clean all tools with rubbing alcohol
• Wash contaminated clothing separately in hot water
• Shower completely, including hair, if extensive exposure occurred

When to Seek Medical Care

Get Medical Attention If:

• Rash covers large areas of skin (more than palm-sized areas)
• Swelling affects face, eyes, or breathing
• Signs of infection develop (pus, red streaking, fever)
• You’ve had severe reactions to poison plants before
• Symptoms worsen after 3-4 days

Treatment and Recovery

Managing Symptoms

Most poison ivy reactions resolve in 1-2 weeks with proper care:

Over-the-Counter Treatment:

• Topical corticosteroid creams for inflammation
• Oral antihistamines for itching
• Cool compresses for relief
• Calamine lotion for drying blisters

What NOT to Do:

• Don’t scratch (can cause infection)
• Don’t pop blisters
• Don’t use hot water on affected areas
• Don’t apply creams to open, weeping blisters

Returning to Work

• Poison ivy rashes are not contagious between people
• You can work with a rash if it doesn’t interfere with safety or job performance
• Severe reactions may require time off until symptoms improve
• Follow up with healthcare provider if symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks

Prevention Tips for Common Job Scenarios

Landscaping and Grounds Work

• Survey properties before starting work
• Use long-handled tools to maintain distance
• Clear small areas systematically rather than large sweeps
• Wear disposable coveralls for brush clearing

Construction Site Preparation

• Include poison plant survey in site assessment
• Clear problem areas before bringing in equipment
• Mark dangerous areas for all crew members
• Consider professional vegetation removal for heavily infested sites

Utility and Service Work

• Carry basic first aid supplies including rubbing alcohol
• Plan equipment placement to avoid vegetation contact
• Use drop cloths to create clean work areas
• Maintain situational awareness in unfamiliar locations

Workers’ Compensation Considerations

Poison ivy exposure at work may be covered under workers’ compensation if:

• Exposure occurred while performing job duties
• The reaction requires medical treatment or causes time off work
• You can document when and where workplace exposure happened

Important Steps:

• Report exposure to your supervisor immediately
• Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe
• Document the incident and location of exposure
• Keep records of medical treatment and work time lost

Key Takeaways for NARFA and AICC Members

Poison plant exposure is a preventable workplace hazard that affects the majority of people who encounter these plants. The most effective protection combines awareness, appropriate protective equipment, and quick response when exposure occurs.

Remember that poison ivy grows in most work environments where NARFA and AICC members operate, and the oils remain active on tools and clothing long after initial contact. Systematic prevention approaches protect both your immediate safety and long-term job performance.

Taking a few minutes to identify and plan around poison plants on each job site can save days or weeks of discomfort and lost work time. When in doubt, treat any three-leaflet plant as potentially dangerous and take appropriate precautions.