Bloodborne pathogens are a very real danger in the workplace. With an estimated 64,000 new cases of HBV infections each year and more than 600,000 HCV infections annually, it's important to know how to keep yourself and your coworkers safe from these viruses.
Bloodborne pathogens can be found in all forms of blood
Bloodborne pathogens are organisms that cause disease when transmitted via the bloodstream. These include:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV).
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
The most common way to contract these diseases is through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions, saliva, and tears. They can also be spread by sharing needles with an infected person or through sexual intercourse if one partner has them but doesn't know it yet because they have no symptoms yet due to their body's ability to fight off infections on its own for a period of time before symptoms start showing up later down the road after the exposure occurred initially somewhere between three weeks up until six months later depending upon how much exposure occurred during this timeframe before diagnosis happens when symptoms finally manifest themselves after several weeks pass away without treatment being administered first thing immediately after initial exposure occurred so please make sure you follow these instructions carefully!
There are many ways to clean up a small amount of blood
- Soap and water work well for cleaning up small spills, especially if you have time to let it dry before anyone steps on the area. If not, use disinfectant wipes instead.
- Paper towels are another option that's quick and easy: just soak up as much liquid as possible before throwing away the towel in an appropriate receptacle (like a trash can).
- Cloths or sponges work best when soaked in warm water first--this allows them to absorb more liquid than they would otherwise be able to hold without being saturated with moisture themselves. Then wring out excess liquid before wiping down surfaces where there was blood present until they're clean again! You may need multiple clothes depending on how large an area needs cleaning; when finished using each one simply throw it away into another appropriate receptacle like mentioned above regarding paper towels/towels etcetera...
It's important to keep your hands clean when cleaning up a large amount of blood
To safely clean up a large amount of blood, you'll want to wear protective clothing and use care when throwing away contaminated items.
- Wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible after coming in contact with the blood. If you don't have access to running water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer instead.
- Use disinfecting wipes or sprays on surfaces that may have come into contact with the blood (such as countertops).
- Wear protective gloves over any exposed skin areas while cleaning up the mess--this will help prevent any potential cuts from becoming infected by pathogens present in the blood spillage area! Also, remember that hats are good for keeping your head warm but not so great at protecting it from pathogens like the Hepatitis B virus which can enter through cuts in scalp tissue so make sure to cover those up too!
Wear gloves when handling anything with bodily fluids on it
- Wear gloves when handling anything with bodily fluids on it.
- Don't forget to wash your hands afterward.
- Don't forget to disinfect the area afterward.
- Don't forget to change your gloves if you need to switch tasks--especially if there's a chance that one task could contaminate another (for example if you're going from cleaning up blood in the kitchen sink and then moving on to restocking supplies).
- Wear a mask if you're worried about breathing in airborne pathogens (such as HIV) via dust particles or small droplets of blood splatter that may have been kicked up into the air during cleanup efforts. This is not necessary unless there is reason for concern; however, using protective gear such as goggles or masks can help reduce the risk of infection without being overly burdensome on yourself or others involved in cleanup efforts
Use disposable towels when cleaning up
- Disinfect the area after you've cleaned up, but before you leave the room.
- Wear gloves when handling anything that has bodily fluids on it (including toilet paper).
Disinfect the area with a bleach solution
Once you've cleaned up the spill, it's time to disinfect the area with a bleach solution. Bleach is one of the most effective disinfectants for bloodborne pathogens because it kills them on contact.
Bleach solutions are made by mixing one part household bleach (like Clorox) in 10 parts water. The mixture should then be sprayed onto surfaces rather than poured on them so that it doesn't pool and become ineffective at killing germs. Let this sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing off with clean water and drying thoroughly with paper towels or other absorbent material--this will help prevent mold growth if your home has humid conditions like those found in bathrooms or kitchens!
If there are other surfaces that may have been exposed while cleaning up (such as countertops), make sure they're also disinfected before use again; otherwise, any germs left behind could spread further into your home environment over time! You can use this same method when disinfecting items such as cell phones/tablets/computers if they touch bodily fluids during an accident involving someone else's blood coming into contact with these devices too."
Don't let bloodborne pathogens worry you
Bloodborne pathogens are a real concern. You can share bloodborne pathogens with others, and there's no way to know if someone has been exposed to them. However, there are steps you can take to help prevent the spread of these infections:
- Wear protective gear such as gloves and eyewear while working with blood or bodily fluids.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling potentially contaminated items or materials like needles and syringes (even if they're not used).
- Use sanitizer wipes before entering an area where people have been exposed to certain diseases--for example, in a hospital room where someone has tested positive for HIV/AIDS or hepatitis A virus (HAV).
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways to clean up blood spills. The key is to be prepared and know what steps to take in case of an emergency. While these tips may seem like common sense, they can make a big difference when dealing with a potentially dangerous situation.