Understanding PPE: A Key Defense Against Bloodborne Pathogens
In the workplace, personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to protect workers from exposure to bloodborne pathogens. PPE includes any type of clothing or accessory worn by employees that can prevent contamination from contact with body fluids. Examples include gloves and masks, but they also include aprons, goggles, and other types of gear that protect employees against exposure to potentially infectious substances found in the workplace.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
PPE is any type of clothing or accessory worn by workers to prevent contamination from bloodborne pathogens. For example, if you're working with a patient who has an open wound and you don't want to get infected, you would put on a gown and mask. These are examples of personal protective equipment (PPE).
PPE is a last resort when engineering and administrative controls are not enough to prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens. A typical employee might wear several layers of PPE:
- Gloves - The most important piece of PPE! Glove selection depends on what type of work you're doing; different types can be used for different tasks (e.g., medical vs general purpose). Make sure your gloves fit snugly but not too tightly so they don't interfere with manual dexterity or typing abilities while typing notes into the medical record system during an assessment/evaluation session involving patients/clients who have been diagnosed with illnesses such as cancer which may lead them having difficulty speaking clearly due their condition causing them pain etcetera...
PPE is any type of clothing or accessory worn by workers
PPE is any type of clothing or accessory worn by workers to prevent contamination from bloodborne pathogens. This can include gloves, masks, and goggles. PPE should be used in combination with engineering and administrative controls. For example, if engineering controls do not eliminate all potential sources of exposure, employers must use administrative controls such as requiring workers to take breaks during long procedures involving needles or other sharp objects
The most effective way to prevent the spread of disease
The most effective way to prevent the spread of disease is through engineering controls, such as redesigning equipment to prevent spills, or creating safer workstations in which no employees handle sharps. Engineering controls can be expensive and difficult to implement, however, so employers must use administrative controls as well. Administrative controls involve implementing safe procedures for handling potentially infectious materials; this includes using personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves when handling bloodborne pathogens. Administrative controls also help prevent sharps injuries by keeping all sharp objects away from employees' hands and fingers
Engineering controls are the best solution
Engineering controls are the best solution because they prevent contact with bloodborne pathogens at the source. They are more effective and cost-efficient than personal protective equipment (PPE), and they reduce the risk of infection. Engineering controls include:
- Using safer work practices that eliminate or reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens, such as wearing gloves when handling sharp instruments.
- Redesigning tasks to ensure workers don't come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). For example, if you're working with needles and syringes, consider using a needleless device rather than reusing single-use needles over and over again on multiple patients' wounds or sites where there is a risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
- Using engineering controls such as negative-pressure rooms for procedures involving large amounts of OPIMs
If engineering controls do not eliminate all potential sources of exposure
- Administrative controls are the next best step after engineering controls. They are often used in combination with engineering controls and can include things like break policies, or training for workers.
- Administrative controls are a cheaper solution than engineering controls because they do not require changes in established processes. Many businesses do not have funds available to implement engineering controls and some owners may be unwilling to implement them because they require change in established processes
If neither engineering nor administrative controls are sufficient
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the last line of defense against bloodborne pathogens. It's not a substitute for engineering and administrative controls but should be used in conjunction with them. When PPE is required, employers must ensure that employees are trained on how to use it properly and ensure their safety during work activities.
When an employer determines that there is a risk of blood or bodily fluid contact with an employee, they must select appropriate PPE based on the hazard(s) involved in each situation. The following factors should be considered when selecting appropriate personal protective equipment:
- Type of hazard (e.g., sharp objects or chemicals)
- Duration/frequency of exposure (how long will you be exposed?)
- The location where exposure occurs (#1 above may vary depending on location)
Conclusion
PPE is an important tool for protecting workers from bloodborne pathogens. The most effective way to prevent the spread of disease is through engineering controls, such as redesigning equipment to prevent spills or creating safer workstations in which no employees handle sharps. If engineering controls do not eliminate all potential sources of exposure, then employers must use administrative controls like requiring workers to take breaks during long procedures involving needles or other sharp objects. If neither engineering nor administrative controls are sufficient then employers must rely on personal protective equipment like gloves, masks, and goggles to protect workers from contamination with pathogens such as hepatitis B virus and HIV-1