2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.