Engineers Warned To Be Wary Of Spiders - Update

Whilst most spiders BT engineers come into contact with during their daily working lives being common household spiders and therefore harmless, they can still bite. Normally once bitten there is little more than small red mark perhaps or even nothing at all to be seen. The only reason for suspecting anything is seeing the spider and feeling perhaps a little burning sensation to a very small patch of skin usually lasting only a couple of seconds.

However, there is a new and more dangerous spider spreading slowly across the UK called a False Widow Spider which can give a nasty bite and even cause life threatening shock to the body if the person bitten is allergic to the bite.

Until recently the purple and black creature, which looks similar to the true black widow, has been found predominantly in the south of England. But global warming, and in particular a succession of mild winters, has enabled it to migrate steadily northwards.

In Cumbria, a woman of 52 years of age was bitten by one these spiders whilst asleep in bed and ended up in hospital suffering from a serve allergic reaction that could have killed her.

John Southwell, H&S Coordinator, CWU Central & West Lancs Branch, highlighted the need for care by telecom engineers working in the field by supplying these pics (right) and telling Unionsafety:

"These spiders have been found in our UG boxes & can give a very nasty bite. Their nest is small, round, white & is about the same size as a  table tennis ball. They are in our homes too! 

Although originally they only seemed to be down South because of warmer weather not only are they moving north but multiplying in number ! Take a good look at the picture & keep well away!" 

Below you can see in interview with a victim of a bite from one of these spiders, and who had an allergic reaction which almost cost her her life.

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