How to Prevent Workplace Bloodborne Pathogens

The good news about bloodborne pathogens is that they aren't communicable outside contact with another person's blood. For most workplaces, this is not an issue unless an industry has a high risk of injury, such as in construction. However, in health care, bloodborne pathogen control is a major issue for the safety of workers and patients. In any situation where you have a reasonable expectation of dealing with blood or bleeding, it's important to have proper education and protocols in place.

Things You'll Need

• Latex gloves
• Sharps disposal containers

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Instructions

• 1

  Identify situations in which blood exposure is possible and likely. Employers must be prepared for potential blood contacts and have plans to address the eventuality. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) considers it an employer's responsibility to have assessed their workplace for the potential of blood exposure.

• 2

  Use latex gloves and other appropriate prophylactics when dealing with patients, prisoners, workplace injuries or any situation that involves or might result in exposure to blood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends these precautions also for potential exposure to any bodily fluid, including semen, vaginal secretions and amniotic fluid.

• 3

  Handle needles with care when dealing with injections. Only properly trained individuals should draw blood or administer injections to prevent excess blood loss and resulting exposure.

• 4

  Practice proper sharps disposal procedures. All medical settings including primary care medical offices and dental practices should have up-to-date sharps disposal containers. These should be collected and handled only by authorized hazardous materials disposal services.

• 5

  Wash linens and clothing promptly if they have contact with blood or other bodily fluids. Patient bed linens need regular changing anyway, but particularly if there is any change of blood transfer or secretions. Any clothing contaminated---whether patient or worker---should be removed, isolated in plastic and washed immediately.