Preventing the Spread of Bloodborne Pathogens - Workplace Safety Tips | American Red Cross

 From the American Red Cross

Bloodborne pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, can be found in blood and body fluids and may cause disease in humans. The main bloodborne pathogens of concern are hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. These and other bloodborne pathogens primarily spread through direct contact - when infected blood or body fluid from one person enters another person's body, such as through a splash in the eye. They can also spread through indirect contact, like touching an object contaminated with infected blood or fluid. Bloodborne pathogens may even spread via respiratory droplets from an infected person's cough or sneeze, or through vector-borne transmission like an insect bite. To help prevent the spread of these diseases, it's crucial to follow standard precautions whenever there is a risk of exposure to blood or other body fluids. This includes maintaining good personal hygiene, using personal protective equipment (PPE), and following proper procedures for engineering controls, work practices, equipment cleaning, and spill cleanup.

To prevent infection, it's important to take the following precautions when providing care:

Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids. Use CPR breathing barriers, such as resuscitation masks, when giving rescue breaths.

Wear disposable gloves whenever providing care, especially if you may come into contact with blood or body fluids. Also wear protective coverings like a mask, eyewear, and a gown if blood or other fluids could splash.

Cover any cuts, scrapes or sores, and remove jewelry before putting on the gloves. Change gloves before caring for a different victim. Remove used gloves without touching the soiled part, and dispose of them properly.

Thoroughly wash your hands and other exposed areas immediately after providing care. If handwashing facilities aren't available and your hands aren't visibly soiled, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. When possible, wash your hands before giving care as well.

To reduce the risk of exposure, use biohazard bags to dispose of contaminated materials like used gloves and bandages. Place all soiled clothing in marked plastic bags for disposal or cleaning.

Biohazard warning labels are required on any containers holding contaminated materials. Use sharps disposal containers for items like needles.

Clean and disinfect all equipment and work surfaces soiled by blood or body fluids. Use a fresh disinfectant solution of about 1.5 cups of liquid chlorine bleach per 1 gallon of water (a 10% solution) and let it sit for at least 10 minutes.

Scrub soiled boots, leather shoes, and other leather goods like belts with soap, a brush, and hot water. Wash and dry uniforms according to the manufacturer's instructions.

If you are exposed to a needlestick, cut, or have exposed skin, immediately wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. If splashed with blood or potentially infectious material around your mouth, nose, or eyes, flush the area with clean water, saline, or sterile irrigants for 20 minutes.

Report the incident to the appropriate person identified in your employer's exposure control plan right away. Also, notify any emergency medical services (EMS) personnel who take over your care. Document what happened, including the date, time, circumstances of the exposure, and any actions you took.

Seek immediate follow-up care as outlined in your employer's exposure control plan. The key is to act quickly to clean the exposed area and report the incident, so you can get the proper medical attention.

OSHA regulations require employers to have an exposure control plan - a written program that outlines the protective measures the employer will take to eliminate or minimize employee exposure incidents. This plan should be made available to employees and clearly explain what they need to do to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Additionally, OSHA mandates that employers offer a hepatitis B vaccination series to all employees with occupational exposure. This must be done within 10 working days of their initial assignment, after they have received the appropriate training. However, employees can choose not to get the vaccination.

If an employee later decides they do want the vaccination, the employer must still make it available to them. For more details, check out OSHA's website (www.osha.gov) or speak with your employer's exposure control officer about the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR part 1910.1030).

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