Blood-borne Pathogens are infectious micro organisms in human blood that can cause diseases including hepatitis and HIV. But it’s not only blood that can transmit these dangerous contagions – bodily fluids of all types, including saliva, can result in transmission of illness.
Injuries happen at every workplace, and when they happen, it’s very important to know how to handle them in order to minimize the danger of transmitting or contracting disease.
The types of Blood-borne Pathogens, (BBP), are not as important as understanding what PPE to use to avoid exposure and contamination. In the case of any injury with blood, wear protective surgical/latex gloves to prevent contamination, and those very same gloves prevent extra dirt and grit getting into the wound being treated.
Blood is considered a Biohazard
A biohazard is defined as any infectious agent or hazardous biological material that prevents a risk to the health of humans, animals or the environment. The risk can be direct (through infection), or indirect (through damage to the environment).
Biohazards include vomit, saliva, and dead animals. Also, just about anything that gets flushed is a biohazard when not in the toliet.
Anything exposed to biohazards needs to be disposed of properly and carefully:
- Use paper towels and wear gloves to mop up blood spills. Place the used towels in a plastic bag and tie it off before proper disposal.
- When you take your latex gloves off, first remove one glove and roll it into a ball in the palm of the second glove. As you remove the second glove, turn it inside-out with the first glove inside. This keeps you from exposing your skin to the materials your were using the gloves to keep off your skin and helps eliminate any contamination of BBP on your skin.
In summary, anything that comes OUT of a human body is a biohazard.
Simple Precautions to Follow:
- Avoid contact with blood and any body fluids.
- Use PPE such as disposable gloves, protective eyewear, and breathing barriers.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, mouth and nose when working around blood, vomit, et cetera.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after any potential exposure – especially before eating & drinking.
Questions:
- What PPE do you need when working with blood?
- Name two diseases that can be transmitted in bodily fluids?