In coming weeks, 52 Mower County employees will be trained to use a new line of defense for potential dangers on the job.

Probation officers, social workers nurses and property appraisers will all learn how to use a chemical irritant spray, joining law enforcement staff who already use the tool.

The county board approved the new policy Aug. 25.

By spelling out exactly who gets to use the weapon, and extending that right to more than just law enforcement, the policy is somewhat unique in the area — most neighboring counties do not have anything similar in place.

Olmsted County, however, trains corrections department workers to use a chemical spray — a policy that was looked at when Mower County drafted its own.

Dave Mueller, human resources director in Olmsted County, said the spray doesn’t get used often by corrections — only about three or four times in the four years their policy has been in place — but it does provide a level of security for public workers who may be entering dangerous situations.

“With appropriate training, I think it’s a useful tool,” he said.

Mower County officials, like human resource director Allan Cordes, are hoping for the same thing here.

Cordes said no one incident in particular prompted the county to look into the policy. Rather, the idea had been discussed for several years, he said.

“We want to help employees be safe,” he added.

All of the 52 workers now covered by the policy are required to get training, but carrying the weapon will be up to them.

What’s this spray?

Workers will be trained to use CS-OC Blend Freeze Plus P, which is a combination of pepper spray and another chemical.

A Web site for the product states that it is the “most intense incapacitating agent available today,” and sheriff Terese Amazi would agree.

“It makes your eyes close … for about 15 minutes,” she said.

After that, a spray victim’s eyes will continue to water, and Amazi said it’s good to flush them with lukewarm water.

When the sheriff’s department trains the employees, a volunteer might demonstrate those effects first-hand, Amazi said.

If not, the risks will surely be discussed, as will alternative uses of force, and other details of both the spray and the policy.

Trainees will also get to do some simple target practice to get comfortable with the weapon, the sheriff said.

The exact time and date of the training is still being worked out, but Cordes and Amazi said they expect to do it between mid-October and early November.

Some potential risks

Of course, use of a weapon by a public employee — whether it be a cop or a social worker — is generally carefully regulated and monitored.

The new policy states that workers should attempt to resolve situations without the spray first, if feasible.

If the spray is used, they are instructed to call 911.

The employees will also be required to fill out an incident report — similar to a police report — within 24 hours. That report will detail the incident, including who used the weapon, who got sprayed and how severe injuries were.

But even with such regulations, use of the spray could be questioned, and complaints or lawsuits could be filed — much like what sometimes occurs with police departments and firearm usage.

Cordes said the county has liability insurance for employees and would handle any potential situations via that route.

Amazi said she doesn’t expect the spray to be a problem for citizens — or employees.

“If (employees) don’t go beyond (the policy), they’ll be fine,” she said.