Don’t Ignore the Dangers: Bloodborne Pathogens in Commercial and Industrial Facilities
They’re invisible to the naked eye, but bloodborne pathogens pose health risks that are impossible to ignore in today’s workplaces. Bloodborne pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms that can be found in human blood and certain bodily fluids. Well-known examples include HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. While exposure is most common in healthcare settings, any workplace could present risks. Employees in commercial and industrial facilities may encounter bloodborne pathogens when helping an injured co-worker who is bleeding, using shared equipment contaminated with blood, disposing of blood-contaminated materials, or cleaning up trash containing contaminated items like feminine hygiene products or blood-stained towels. Ignoring these risks endangers workers. That’s why OSHA developed strict regulations for dealing with bloodborne pathogens on the job.
The Threats Posed by HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C
HIV has infected over 1 million Americans and continues spreading rapidly. Symptoms vary but can include fatigue, fever, nausea, headaches, diarrhea and other flu-like symptoms. However, many people show no outward symptoms for years after initial infection. There is still no proven vaccine that can prevent HIV, and no known cure. But treatments can control HIV and relieve symptoms for many patients. Without treatment, HIV can lead to AIDS, which cripples the immune system leaving the body unable to fight off other diseases. This can ultimately prove fatal.
Hepatitis B and C cause liver inflammation often progressing to severe conditions like cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis B infects around 40,000 Americans annually. Experts estimate over 3 million Americans are currently carrying the hepatitis C virus. Vaccines are available that can prevent hepatitis B infection, and new antiviral drugs can cure hepatitis C in many patients. However, without treatment both viruses can cause severe, irreversible liver damage and even death.
How Exposure Occurs in Commercial and Industrial Settings
Employees risk exposure to bloodborne pathogens through contact with infected blood in a variety of ways:
- Coming into contact with blood from an injured or bleeding co-worker
- Cleaning up spills or other blood contamination after an accident
- Handling discarded materials like paper towels or feminine hygiene products contaminated with blood
- Using shared equipment that has blood on it from a previous user
The viruses can enter the body through cuts, abrasions in the skin, or mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth. Just a small amount of infected blood is enough to transmit HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
OSHA Regulations and Required Safety Procedures
To address these hazards, OSHA’s bloodborne pathogen standards require employers to implement detailed exposure control plans. These plans:
- Identify which jobs and tasks have the potential for blood exposure
- Define engineering controls, work practices and PPE to eliminate or reduce exposures
- Establish hepatitis B vaccination programs where occupational exposure can occur
- Outline first aid and medical procedures for exposure incidents
Key elements of the exposure control plan include:
- Universal precautions treating all bodily fluids as potentially infectious
- Engineering controls like sharps disposal containers and safer medical devices
- Work practice controls like handwashing requirements
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, gowns and face shields
- Housekeeping procedures for proper cleanup and labeling
- Regulated waste disposal methods
- Hepatitis B vaccination program
- Compliance monitoring and training
Simple work practices like handwashing are extremely effective for reducing infections. Employers must provide accessible handwashing facilities and mandate washing after any blood exposure.
PPE like gloves, goggles, and gowns act as a crucial barrier against bloodborne pathogens. Employees must wear appropriate PPE if blood exposure is possible. Any contaminated PPE must be properly removed, decontaminated, and disposed of to prevent potential transmission.
Hepatitis B Vaccination
Hepatitis B vaccination provides critical protection against a dangerous, but preventable disease. The 3-shot vaccine series is extremely safe and effective. Under OSHA rules, employers must make the hepatitis vaccine available to all workers with potential occupational blood exposure. The vaccine is also recommended for anyone at risk of hepatitis B infection.
The vaccine works best when given prior to any exposure to the virus. But research shows it can still prevent infection even if administered shortly after a potential exposure incident. So vaccination is recommended as soon as possible following any exposure to hepatitis B.
Procedures for Exposure Incidents
If an exposure to bloodborne pathogens occurs, employees should:
- Immediately wash affected skin with soap and water
- Report the incident to a supervisor
- Identify and document details about the exposure source
- Get confidential medical evaluation and follow-up testing
- Consider hepatitis B vaccination if not already vaccinated
Testing the exposure source, if known, provides valuable information to guide effective post-exposure treatment. Employers must provide any required medical evaluations, testing, and vaccines following an exposure at no cost to the employee.
Protecting Employees from Hidden Hazards
Bloodborne pathogens like HIV, hepatitis B and C present serious dangers that are often overlooked in industrial and commercial facilities. But exposure can and does occur. OSHA’s bloodborne pathogen regulations establish essential safeguards to identify hazards, control risks, and protect workers. Employers must develop detailed exposure control plans tailored to their unique risks. Employees should understand the plans and comply fully with procedures. Using PPE consistently and getting vaccinated prevents infections and saves lives. With vigilance and cooperation, worksites can operate safely despite the hidden hazards posed by bloodborne diseases.
Don’t Ignore the Dangers: Bloodborne Pathogens in Commercial and Industrial Facilities
Bloodborne pathogens are a lurking threat in our workplaces, invisible yet insidiously dangerous. While we commonly associate these health risks with healthcare settings, the reality is that any industrial or commercial facility can be a breeding ground for exposure. The lack of visible symptoms in many cases, especially concerning HIV, adds another layer of peril. The regulations outlined by OSHA serve as a foundational defense, but relying solely on policy and complacency is a recipe for disaster. We need education that is as dynamic and pervasive as the pathogens we’re up against. With the right tools and knowledge, we can turn these invisible threats into manageable risks.
Unveil the Invisible with Our Full-Length Interactive Courses on Bloodborne Pathogens
Bloodborne diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C have evolved, and so must our approaches to tackling them. Forget static, one-size-fits-all training. Our interactive, full-length courses are designed to create a lasting impact on your employees’ understanding of bloodborne pathogens, their hazards, and how to counter them effectively.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: From understanding the specificities of HIV and Hepatitis to the intricacies of OSHA regulations, our courses leave no stone unturned.
- Real-world Application: We guide you through actual scenarios in industrial and commercial settings—not just healthcare. Learn the right steps for accidental exposure, the correct disposal methods, and more.
- Bilingual Availability: Communication shouldn’t be a barrier to safety. That’s why our courses are available in both English and Spanish.
Topics We Cover:
- Bloodborne Pathogens: HIV and Hepatitis
- Infection and the Exposure Control Plan
- Methods of exposure control
- Personal protection and vaccination
- Housekeeping and “Regulated Waste”
- Accidental exposure procedures
A safe workspace isn’t just a regulated one; it’s an educated one. Equip your team with the knowledge to make informed, life-saving decisions every day.
Turn the invisible into the known. Protect your team. Choose Our full-length interactive courses on Bloodborne Pathogens today by clicking on the link below:
