Imagine getting a call that an employee has been injured at a nearby jobsite. The worker is alert, but has a severe head laceration. Someone called 911, and a few coworkers are tending to the victim’s injuries. Upon arriving onsite, it’s clear the paramedics have stabilized the victim and prepared him for transport to the hospital.
At first, the situation seems under control, but several employees have large spots of blood on their clothing and are using hand towels to wipe blood from their hands. It is apparent they did nothing to protect themselves from disease transmission while helping their colleague.
Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is an important routine for professional rescuers. They know that protecting themselves from bloodborne pathogens is, in some ways, just as important as caring for the victim.
But, do employees know the risks associated with bloodborne pathogens? Are first-aid kits available to employees? Do they share equipment or tools that could become contaminated? Who is responsible for responding to workplace accidents or injuries?
Know How to Act Bloodborne pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that are transmitted via human blood and cause disease in humans, including the hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus. Unfortunately, many people realize they’ve been exposed to body fluids after an emergency, when it’s too late to take action. Here are a few simple rules to follow when the possibility of exposure to any body fluids exists. The American Heart Association refers to these guidelines as: “Making a PACT, know how to act.”
- Protect. Wear protective equipment such as gloves and goggles, and use a breathing barrier when performing CPR.
- Act. Upon coming into contact with another person’s body fluids or blood, act quickly and safely. Wash the area immediately with hot, soapy water for up to a minute before rinsing. If contamination affects someone’s eyes, flush them out with clean water for up to five minutes.
- Clean. After an emergency, clean any areas contaminated with blood or body fluids with a solution of one part bleach and eight parts water. Completely flush the area and let the solution stand for at least three minutes. Be careful when wiping up the area, especially if there is broken glass or wood/metal splinters. Put all soiled items, including soiled cleaning materials, in a plastic bag and dispose of it immediately.
- Tell. Report the incident immediately to a supervisor or the human resources department. Ask for a dated copy of the accident report (even if it is only handwritten).
Program Guidelines Not all professions are required to provide bloodborne pathogen training (BPT). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) looks at a number of factors when determining if an employer must comply. For example, if a company offers voluntary CPR/first-aid training to employees, BPT may not be required.
In the end, supervisors are responsible for protecting their employees from harm. If personnel are routinely or even occasionally exposed to blood or body fluids in the execution of their duties, give serious consideration to offering BPT. It’s a great way to communicate the importance of preventing disease transmission and protecting the company from a large liability or workers’ compensation claim.
To start, set standard practices for preventing disease transmission, such as providing employees with their own toolboxes. Or, if they share tools, have a policy in place for cleaning and decontaminating tools, especially after an accident or injury. Make sure employees know the importance of disposing of or cleaning contaminated PPE.
These standards can start small and then expand as new issues surface. OSHA offers templates for creating a company bloodborne pathogen policy. For more information, visit
www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3186.pdf.
Complying with bloodborne pathogen policies is the right thing to do for a business and its employees. The dividend of healthy, productive employees far outweighs the investment of setting up a program that advises employees on how to protect themselves and others in an emergency.