Bloodborne Pathogens Certification Manual: Common Mistakes

Common Bloodborne Pathogen Safety Mistakes

Many bloodborne pathogen exposures can be prevented by recognizing common mistakes before they occur. Consistent use of protective measures is important even during routine or familiar tasks.

Common PPE Mistakes

Avoid:

• Handling blood without appropriate gloves
• Using damaged or contaminated PPE
• Reusing disposable gloves
• Touching the face with contaminated gloves
• Removing PPE in a way that contaminates the skin or clothing
• Failing to use eye or face protection when splashing is possible

Common Sharps Mistakes

Avoid:

• Picking up contaminated needles with bare hands
• Reaching into sharps containers
• Leaving sharps where another person could be injured
• Carrying an exposed sharp unnecessarily
• Overfilling sharps containers
• Handling sharps in a way that places your hand in the path of the sharp end

Common Cleaning Mistakes

Avoid:

• Cleaning blood without appropriate PPE
• Using a cleaning product without following its instructions
• Handling contaminated broken glass directly by hand
• Shaking contaminated laundry
• Reusing contaminated equipment before it has been properly cleaned
• Leaving contaminated materials where others may contact them

Common Exposure-Response Mistakes

Avoid:

• Delaying washing or flushing an exposed area
• Failing to report a possible exposure
• Waiting for symptoms before seeking evaluation
• Aggressively squeezing or cutting a needlestick wound
• Assuming an exposure is harmless based on the appearance or known health of the source individual

Common Prevention Mistakes

Avoid:

• Eating or drinking in areas where contamination may occur
• Applying cosmetics or handling contact lenses in contaminated work areas
• Failing to cover cuts or damaged skin
• Assuming gloves eliminate the need for hand hygiene
• Ignoring workplace procedures because a task appears routine

Remember

Bloodborne pathogen safety depends on consistent habits:

Recognize the hazard → Use appropriate protection → Prevent unnecessary contact → Clean contaminated areas correctly → Report possible exposures promptly