Exposure to infectious blood and other body fluids occurs across a wide range of occupations, from healthcare to public safety settings. Workers exposed to blood through needlestick and other sharps injuries are a primary concern and can be mitigated through proper engineering controls, work practices, training and training reinforcement. As defined in OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, sharps are objects that can penetrate the skin, including, but not limited to, needles, scalpels, broken glass, broken capillary tubes, and exposed ends of dental wires.
Training
The healthcare industry has experienced tremendous growth and continues to be an in demand field. Developing worker skills and abilities through extensive specialized training is a key component to total success especially when it comes to new medical equipment and technologies.
Engineering Controls
As defined in OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, engineering controls isolate or remove blooborne pathogen hazards from the workplace. In fact, building a barrier between the hazard and the employees is an engineering control. These controls include sharps disposal containers, self-sheathing needles, safer medical devices such as sharps with engineered sharps injury protections and needleless systems.
Personal Protective Equipment
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers protect their employees from workplace hazards that can cause injury. This includes providing employees with personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE is specialized clothing or equipment worn for worker protection against hazards including, but is not limited to, face masks, shields, eyewear, plastic aprons, latex or other approved gloves and much more.
Work Practices
Work practice controls are procedures that reduce the likelihood of exposure to an infectious substance by altering the way in which a task is performed. An example of a work practice control that supports protecting employees is to change the way in which employees perform work like recapping needles.
Training Reinforcement
Displaying posters in conspicuous locations that reinforce training received is an effective way to remind workers of best practices and approved methods for accomplishing tasks. Compliance Poster Company has a full line of healthcare-related industry posters that do just that – remind workers on a daily basis. Purchase CPC’s newest product – Universal Precautions for Workers Exposed to Bloodborne Pathogens Now!