Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that can be transmitted to humans when they come in contact with blood, blood products, or other bodily fluids. It is recommended the following ways to protect yourself from contracting a bloodborne illness when handling bleeding animals and carcasses:
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that can be transmitted to humans when they come in contact with blood, blood products, or other bodily fluids.
The most common bloodborne pathogens are hepatitis B and C. Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that can be transmitted to humans when they come in contact with blood, blood products, or other bodily fluids--the most common being hepatitis B and C. Following safety guidelines when working with animals and their waste matter can help prevent you from becoming infected by these viruses if you're exposed to them during your job as an animal handler or veterinary technician.
Hepatitis B and C are two of the most common bloodborne pathogens.
They're viruses that attack the liver, and they can be transmitted through blood and bodily fluids.
Hepatitis B can be spread through sexual contact, sharing needles, or being stuck with a contaminated needle. It also can pass from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth. The virus may not cause symptoms until months after you've been infected; if it does show up early on, they might include fever, fatigue (tiredness), loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea (stomach pains), dark urine or jaundice (yellowing of the skin). If you're at risk for hepatitis B--for example if you work in healthcare--your doctor will likely offer treatment options such as vaccination against this disease before beginning any high-risk activities like giving injections or performing surgery where there's potential exposure to blood from patients who could have it
We recommend the following ways to protect yourself from contracting a bloodborne illness when handling bleeding animals and carcasses:
- Wear protective clothing, such as rubber or plastic gloves, boots, and coveralls that are sealed at the cuffs.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after each contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).
- Avoid eating or drinking while handling animals or carcasses. If you have to do so, make sure to wash your hands afterward.
- Do not touch unwashed skin with exposed cuts or sores on it; if you must handle an animal or carcass with broken skin, wear protective gear first and then wash your hands immediately afterward.
- Avoid contact with eyes or mucous membranes (nose/mouth) when handling animals.
- If you are exposed to a bloodborne pathogen at work: report this exposure immediately; seek medical attention immediately; follow all safety guidelines set forth by your employer regarding reporting exposure at work
1. Wear protective clothing such as gloves, boots, coveralls, long sleeves, and pants.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after you finish working with animals or their waste products. Use soap and water to cleanse any areas that may have come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Hand washing should occur at the beginning of each work shift and when there has been any interruption in the flow of care provided by one person to another (such as during lunch breaks).
- Avoid eating or drinking while handling animals or their waste products because these activities can increase the risk of exposure to pathogens carried on these items by splashing contaminated material into open wounds on your face/mouth area through coughing/sneezing etcetera
2. Wash your hands thoroughly using soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Hand washing is important to prevent the spread of disease. Wash hands before and after handling animals or carcasses, as well as any other time you might come into contact with blood or body fluids on your skin (such as when changing bandages). If you get blood or body fluids on your clothing, remove it immediately and wash the area with soap and water for at least 20 seconds--do not wear that clothing again until it has been washed separately from other clothes
3. Do not eat or drink while handling animals or carcasses to avoid accidentally swallowing contaminated materials or fluids.
- Touch your mouth, nose, and eyes with unwashed hands after handling dead animals.
- Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco while working with bloodborne pathogens; this is especially important for those who are immunocompromised because they may be at increased risk of infection from TB organisms in sputum (coughing).
- Wash hands thoroughly before eating lunch if they have been exposed to the blood of an animal during the morning shift..
4. Avoid touching unwashed skin and avoid any contact with eyes or mucous membranes by wearing protective equipment like gloves, boots, coveralls, long sleeves, and pants while handling animals or carcasses.
- Wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth while handling animals or carcasses.
- Wear protective equipment such as gloves, boots, coveralls (long sleeves and pants), long sleeve shirts/pants that can be tucked into boots to avoid contact with blood or body fluids; wash them at least once per week; never wear cotton clothing in the barn because it absorbs liquids easily which increases your risk of exposure if you get cut by a sharp object like an animal nail (e.g., cow hoof). If available wear a face mask when working around large numbers of animals such as cows because they can sneeze on you when excited by something happening nearby - especially during calving season! Also, remember not to eat or drink while working around these animals because some diseases are transmitted through fecal matter present on their fur/skin so if possible keep a distance away from them until after washing hands thoroughly afterward."
You can protect yourself from becoming infected by following safety guidelines when working with animals and their waste matter
When working with animals and carcasses, it's important to follow safety guidelines to avoid becoming infected by bloodborne pathogens.
- Avoid direct contact with blood, blood products, or other bodily fluids.
- Wear protective clothing such as gloves, boots, coveralls, and long sleeves/pants when you work with animals or carcasses. This will help protect you from being exposed to infectious materials that could enter your body through cuts or sores on your hands or skin if they were exposed during the process of handling an animal/carcass (e.g. if an animal bites them).
- Wash hands thoroughly using soap and water after handling an animal/carcass if possible; use alcohol-based hand sanitizers if no running water is available but remember not to use these products continuously because overuse can lead to dryness in the skin which makes it more susceptible to cuts/sores during activities like chopping meat etcetera
Conclusion
If you are handling animals or carcasses, it is important to take precautions in order to avoid becoming infected by bloodborne pathogens. You can protect yourself from becoming infected by following safety guidelines when working with animals and their waste matter.