Bloodborne Pathogen Safety in the Workplace

Bloodborne pathogens (BBPs) are infectious microorganisms present in human blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIMs) that can lead to disease. These pathogens can be viral, bacterial, or fungal in nature, including viruses like hepatitis B and C, bacteria such as syphilis, or fungi like thrush. Bloodborne pathogens pose a significant health risk and can be contracted through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, or materials when they come into contact with broken skin or mucous membranes, like those in the eyes, nose, or mouth. Even a single exposure can lead to infection, sometimes without the individual being aware they are contagious.

In the workplace, transmission is usually through injuries from contaminated sharp objects that penetrate the skin, such as needles, knives, broken glass, or from splashes into the mucous membranes of your eyes, nose, or mouth, or through exposed openings or abrasions in the skin from scratches, cuts, bites, or wounds.

Number One Rule

Treat all blood and body fluids as if they were infected.

Prevention

The primary prevention tool against hepatitis B is vaccination before and after any exposure. Your employer must make the hepatitis B vaccine available to all workers who are at risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Your employer must put in place various types of controls to protect employees from bloodborne pathogen exposures. These include engineering controls, administrative controls such as operating procedures and warning labels, and personal protective equipment (PPE). You must use the engineering controls that your employer has made available to you, follow required operating procedures, pay attention to bloodborne pathogen-related warning labels, and wear the required PPE to protect yourself and others.

Universal precautions are infection control measures that treat all human blood and certain body fluids as potentially infectious. Key practices include frequent hand washing, especially after exposure to blood or contaminated surfaces, and the use of surgical-quality disposable gloves, which should be changed after each task. Additional personal protective equipment (PPE), such as protective eyewear and masks, may be needed in situations where blood or body fluids could splash. Safe handling and disposal of sharps, like needles, is crucial, and surfaces should be disinfected carefully. Contaminated waste must be disposed of in biohazard containers, and biohazardous materials should never be mixed with regular trash.

Always wear disposable gloves whenever there is a potential for exposure to blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials. Keep cuts and/or sores covered. Wash hands or other affected body parts anytime there is contact with blood or body fluids, or other potentially infections materials. Even if there's a shred of doubt about exposure, scrub the suspect area. Dispose of needles in puncture and leak proof, medical hazard containers, and disinfect surfaces visibly soiled with blood or body fluids.

If you believe you've been exposed to bloodborne pathogens, it's essential to act quickly to minimize the risk of transmission. If the wound is small enough and does not require medical attention, flood the exposed area with water using a sink, eye wash station, or safety shower. Then, thoroughly clean the affected skin with soap and water, especially if the exposure involves a cut or puncture. Disinfect the area using a skin disinfectant or, if exposure involves the mouth, rinse with disinfecting mouthwash or a salt-water solution. Finally, report the incident immediately to your workplace's designated health and safety personnel and seek any necessary medical evaluations.