POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS MATERIAL Blood Body fluids visibly contaminated with blood Other body fluids including: Semen Vaginal secretions. Certain body fluids accessible only in medical and dental procedures.

OF BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS GENERAL SPREAD OF BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are spread by Blood Semen Vaginal secretions. People usually become infected by Having sex with an infected person Sharing needles to inject drugs.

WORKPLACE TRANSMISSION HIV, HBV and HCV can enter your body via: Open cuts, nicks and skin abrasions — even acne Mucous membranes of your mouth, eyes or nose Indirect transmission — touching a contaminated surface and then touching your mouth, eyes, nose or open skin An accidental injury by a contaminated sharp object.

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT TRANSMISSION You cannot get HIV infection from: Working alongside someone who is infected Social kissing (on the cheek) Coughing or sneezing Sharing telephones or bathrooms Eating utensils Water fountains Swimming pools Mosquitoes or other insects Donating blood.

PREVENTING EXPOSURE People infected by HIV, HBV, HCV may have no symptoms. They may not know they’re infected Treat all blood and body fluids as infectious. Use Universal Precautions. Wear PPE any time you contact blood or body fluids.

PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE Good housekeeping Washing your hands Proper waste disposal Preventive work practices Using protective barriers.

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING Prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Be alert for sharp objects when emptying trash. Never compact trash using hands or feet. Never pick up broken glass with your hands. Clean spills of blood or other body fluids only if trained to do so. Disinfect any surface soiled with blood.

WASH YOUR HANDS Wash hands immediately after contact with blood or body fluids – even if gloves are used. Wash hands with nonabrasive soap and running water for at least 15 seconds.

PROPER WASTE DISPOSAL Put contaminated sharp objects in a puncture-resistant, color-coded, leakproof container. Place other contaminated waste in sturdy plastic bags. Seal and place bag in a leakproof container for disposal. Follow your organization’s policy to dispose of all contaminated items.

PREVENTIVE WORK PRACTICES Keep hands away from eyes, nose and mouth. After working in potentially contaminated areas remove protective clothing and wash hands. When possible, tend to your own injuries: Bandage cuts or sores. Place contaminated materials in sealed plastic bags for proper disposal. Disinfect contaminated work surfaces.

USE PROTECTIVE BARRIERS Wear gloves to clean potentially contaminated areas. Avoid direct contact with blood – use disposable gloves. If necessary, put on an apron or smock to protect yourself. When blood is spraying from a cut artery, put on safety goggles.

USE PROTECTIVE BARRIERS continued Avoid touching your skin with contaminated barriers. Avoid unprotected mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If you’re a first responder, consider a hepatitis B vaccine.

IN CASE OF EXPOSURE Don’t panic. Wash exposed skin with nonabrasive soap and water. Flush exposed mucous membranes with water. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible and put in a sealed plastic bag. Wash skin underneath contaminated materials.

IN CASE OF EXPOSURE continued Follow your organization’s policy to decontaminate or dispose of items. Report incident to your supervisor. Seek advice from your employer regarding testing or counseling. Remember, most exposures do not lead to infection.

BE PREPARED Be familiar with your organization’s Exposure Control Plan. Know where emergency kits and PPE are kept. Know how to contact emergency personnel. Never take unnecessary risks. Avoid letting blood contact your skin, eyes, nose, mouth or clothes. Know procedures to follow if there is an exposure incident.

ENGINEERING CONTROLS Use a safe needle device or needleless system for: Withdrawing body fluids Accessing a vein or artery Administering medications or fluids. Sharps safety devices reduce your risk of injury. Follow your Exposure Control Plan.