Risks and Procedures for Glue Boards
Introduction
Glue boards are adhesive traps designed to capture small vertebrates. They differ from blunder traps in that they have a strong, thick layer of glue on a plastic or cardboard substrate and are generally larger. When new, the adhesive is covered with a protective paper barrier, some styles are simply flat while others require un/folding to assemble.
Regulations
Many people consider these traps inhumane, and the legality of use varies by location, for example, in 2022 the UK passed an Act which makes the use of certain uses of glue traps an illegal offense.
JHA: Glue Boards
| What can go wrong? | What are the consequences? | How could it happen? | How to mitigate the hazard? |
|
Adhesive on glue board sticks to handler’s skin or clothing
Trap handler comes into direct contact with the trapped animal, its feces, its teeth
Handler hits head/injures self while kneeling to place trap or rising from placing trap |
Removing glue boards from skin can cause serious injury if proper protocols are not followed (first aid support must be sought or oil employed to carefully release adhesive)
Improper handling of the pest or the trap results in injury or disease exposure (bites, scratches, inhalation of contaminated dust, etc.)
Handler becomes ill from contact with trapped ill/infectious specimen(s)
Wounds or injuries incurred from action of placing or retrieving trap |
Multitasking while placing traps
Mishandling of trap
Lack of knowledge about trapped pest
Lack of attention to surroundings |
Handlers should take appropriate safety precautions, be aware of surroundings, and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
Glue boards containing captures must always be handled with extreme caution, even if it appears that the capture is no longer alive |
| What can go wrong? | What are the consequences? | How could it happen? | How to mitigate the hazard? |
|
Object come into direct contact with trap adhesives |
Damage to collect items from contact with adhesive/removal of adhesive |
Placing trap too close to collection items
Mishandling of trap |
Place trap inside a protective enclosure, or seek alternative trap types within collection spaces
Always handle traps with extreme caution |
| What can go wrong? | What are the consequences? | How could it happen? | How to mitigate the hazard? |
|
The traps are not properly labeled (with location and/or date)
The traps are not in the correct placement and/or orientation
Traps cannot be located. Traps are inadvertently stepped on or moved |
Data is lost; pest problems are not recognized..
No pest capture; inconsistent data collection
No pest capture or inconsistent data collection. Traps may need to be replaced |
Inconsistent labeling protocol or inconsistent trap monitoring.
Inexperience with trap placement and/or knowledge about trapped pests
Human error |
Ensure data retention by using consistent labeling and recording practices
Share locations with all who have access to trap areas and alert all that they should not be thrown out
Use administrative controls to raise awareness about trap protocols, records, and numbers.
Advocate for staff to comply with the IPM program and not deploy or remove glue boards independently |