Bloodborne Pathogens

The following information comes from FirstComp Insurance.  A full copy can be found here.

By definition, a pathogen is any agent that can cause disease — Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) are microorganisms in blood or other bodily fluids that can cause illness and disease in people through contact with contaminated blood and body fluids. The standard on which all Bloodborne Pathogen programs are based is OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030 .Bloodborne Pathogens..

Means of Transmission

BBP.s are transmitted when contaminated blood or body fluids enter the body of another person. This can occur through a number of pathways, such as:

  •  An accidental puncture by a sharp object (needles, scalpels, broken glass, razor blades) contaminated with a pathogen  Open cuts or skin abrasions that come in contact with contaminated blood or body fluids
  •  Sexual contact
  •  Indirect transmission (touching blood, including dried blood then touching the eyes, mouth, nose or an open cut)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between 600,000 and 800,000 occupational needle stick injuries occur each year, many of which are unreported. Of these, roughly 385,000 needle stick and other sharps-related injuries are sustained by healthcare personnel in hospital settings. Among the 35 million healthcare workers worldwide, about 3 million receive percutaneous (through the skin) exposure to BBP annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). About 2 million of these incidents Involve hepatitis B (HBV); 900,000 involve hepatitis C (HCV); and 170,000 involve human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Symptoms of a bloodborne infection sometimes are not  apparent for weeks or months following exposure.

Minimizing Exposure

The BBP standard is composed of; a written plan (entitled the Exposure Control Plan), training requirements and recordkeeping guidelines. Employers must minimize the exposure of employees to BBP whenever the potential for that exposure exists. OSHA has taken the position that there are no .riskfree . populations, and enforcement of OSHA.s .general duty clause. implies that employers must be knowledgeable of and comply with the BBP standard. Risk can be minimized through improved engineering design and with work practices (administrative controls) through the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and by addressing housekeeping issues.

Do:

Use appropriate PPE when working with blood or infectious materials 

  • Check for damage 
  • Remove PPE carefully to avoid self-contamination 
  • Dispose of contaminated PPE correctly
  •  Ensure you are trained in the use of PPE and document it

Use good personal hygiene

  •  Wash exposed skin immediately with soap and water
  •  Wash thoroughly after removing PPE
  •  Flush exposed eyes, nose or mouth quickly and thoroughly with water
  •  Cover open cuts

Use good work practices

  •  Minimize splashing of infectious materials
  •  Clean up spills immediately
  •  Clean and decontaminate all equipment and surfaces in contact with blood or other infectious material
  •  Dispose of sharps in a puncture-proof, labeled container

Know the proper response for accidental exposures

  •  Know the BBP standard so you can respond without fear
  •  Report on-the-job exposures promptly and seek immediate medical attention

Don’t:

  •  Have unprotected sex, use illicit drugs or share needles
  •  Worry about getting one of these diseases through casual contact
  •  Eat or drink or keep food and drinks in areas where infectious materials are used
  •  Break, bend or recap contaminated needles
  •  Clean up broken glass by hand, use a broom and dustpan