Venomous Spiders

Black Widow

Photo courtesy of University of Missouri

Venomous spiders found in the United States include the black widow and the brown recluse. These spiders can be dangerous to outdoor workers. These spiders occasionally find their way inside structures or buildings and can also present a risk to indoor workers including machine operators, janitors, and cashiers ( Bureau of Labor Statistics Monthly Review – Insects bites, stings cause thousands of workplace injuriesexternal icon ). Spiders are usually not aggressive and most bites occur because a spider is trapped or unintentionally contacted. It is important for employers to educate their workers about their risk of exposure to venomous spiders, how they can prevent and protect themselves from spider bites, and what they should do if they are bitten.

Page last reviewed: May 31, 2018