Bloodborne pathogens are infectious diseases that can spread through blood, other bodily fluids and even tiny skin tears. The medical community has long recognized the risks associated with exposure to these substances. In the past, addressed this issue primarily by regulating the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). However, recent research shows that worker education is also critical to protecting workers from infection.
What are bloodborne pathogens?
Bloodborne pathogens are bacteria, viruses, parasites and prions that can be transmitted through the blood. These pathogens can also be transmitted through other body fluids such as semen or vaginal secretions.
Examples of bloodborne pathogens include: hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). Other examples include malaria parasites; rabies from animal bites; Ebola virus; West Nile Virus; Lassa fever; Chagas disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasite found in South America--and more recently discovered zoonotic diseases like Lyme disease and Leptospirosis which are spread through animal urine or feces onto soil surfaces where people come into contact with them while gardening outdoors.
The risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens at work
It is important to remember that not all jobs are equal when it comes to risk of exposure. The type of work you do, how often you perform certain tasks and how much time you spend in direct contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) can all affect the likelihood of contracting an illness from a pathogen.
For example, if your job involves working directly with people who have infections like hepatitis B or C, then there is greater potential for exposure than if your role was confined solely to working on computers or behind closed doors at a desk.
How does regulate worker exposure to these substances?
The requires employers to protect workers from exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard covers workers who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials include:
- Human tissues and fluids, such as semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), synovial fluid and peritoneal dialysis effluent. These body fluids may contain HIV; hepatitis B virus (HBV); hepatitis C virus (HCV); syphilis bacteria; or other pathogens that can cause disease in humans.
- Insecticides used to kill ticks can also be considered bloodborne pathogens if they are contaminated with human blood during application activities such as spraying insecticide onto your clothing or skin before entering areas where ticks may be present - this could happen if you sneezed while applying the product!
Protecting yourself from potentially infectious material
A key part of protecting yourself from potentially infectious material is using personal protective equipment (PPE). Your employer should provide you with the appropriate PPE, which may include:
- Gloves -- for handling bloodborne pathogens and other hazardous materials
- Face shields or goggles -- to protect against splashes from bloodborne pathogens and other hazardous materials
If you are working in an area where there is a risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, it's important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after removing PPE. Do not touch your face while wearing gloves! If possible, use an alcohol-based hand rub instead of soap if you have no running water available.
The need for training
You should be aware that requires all workers to receive training on bloodborne pathogens and workplace safety. Remember, this is not just for those who are exposed to these pathogens--it's for everyone. The training must be provided in an easily understandable format (such as written or video), and it can't take longer than 30 minutes per worker. It's also important that employees understand what they're learning so they can apply it appropriately in their workplace environment; if your workers don't speak English well enough to understand what's being taught during these sessions, then you may want to consider hiring an interpreter who speaks both languages fluently so there aren't any issues later on down the road when someone gets hurt while working with hazardous materials like bloodborne pathogens!
Proper protection makes it harder for workers to get infected with bloodborne pathogens.
The most effective way to prevent infection is through proper protection. This means using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks and eye protection when working with bloodborne pathogens. It also means following safe work practices that include frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before eating or drinking anything; keeping work areas clean; disposing of contaminated materials in designated containers; wearing PPE correctly; not eating, drinking or smoking while handling contaminated items; washing hands immediately after removing PPE and storing it properly so it doesn't become contaminated by bacteria on other surfaces (such as doorknobs).
Conclusion
The risk of infection from exposure to bloodborne pathogens is real, but it's not something you have to worry about if you're working with the right precautions in place. If your company doesn't have proper training or protection for its employees, then it should be on your radar as soon as possible.