1. Blood-borne Pathogens
in the Workplace
A Safety-based presentation by the SHERQ Manager,
Nampak Cartons Nigeria – Imoisili Obinyan
Presented by: Imoisili Obinyan | Date: June 9, 2016
2. AGENDA
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1. Introduction/ term definition
2. Types of bloodborne pathogens
3. How bloodborne pathogens are
contracted
4. Elements of protection
5. Bloodborne pathogen program
6. Video
3. • There’s the potential when you help someone who’s
injured that you could be exposed to something nasty;
an infectious disease.
• It is therefore important to be aware of what
bloodborne pathogens are, how they are transmitted &
how to protect yourself from them in the workplace.
INTRODUCTION
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DEFINITION: Bloodborne pathogens are infectious
micro-organisms in human blood and body fluids
(OPIMs – Other potentially infectious materials) that
can cause diseases in humans e.g. viruses & bacteria
4. 1. HIV (Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus)
the virus that causes AIDS
Not a high rate of transmission to first aid responders: less than one percent
2. Hepatitis B (Liver Inflammation)
Relatively easy to transmit via blood exposure
The virus causes a liver disease that can cause recurring disability/chronic
infection and can be FATAL (death)!
Hepatitis B Virus is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV
There is a vaccine available that protects employees from Hepatitis B.
3. Hepatitis C (caused by HCV)
There’s no vaccine for Hepatitis C – it is particularly important to prevent
infection to avoid cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) & liver cancer.
TYPES OF BLOOD BORNE
PATHOGENS
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5. • OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE-TRANSMISSION IS VIA:
1. Mucus membranes such as Eyes, Nose and mouth
2. Through non-intact skin; bleeding from an employee fall/trip, a
cut, a sore, a rash, or even dry, cracked skin
3. Through a puncture wound from a sharp object e.g. needle,
scissors or broken glass, that is contaminated with blood.
WHAT IS THE RISK FOR EXPOSURE?
1. You are at risk for exposure if you are a first aid provider,
designated First aid team member in your workplace,
housekeeping personnel in some settings, nurses, laboratory
staff & waste management employee.
CONTRACTING BLOOD BORNE
PATHOGENS
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6. • The three main elements of protection are:
1. Awareness/ Enlightenment
2. Engineering and Work Practice controls
3. Personal Protective Equipment
1. AWARENESS (UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS):
the best way to protect yourself from those risks is by following a concept called
universal (STANDARD) precautions (this means that you assume that all human
blood and body fluids are infectious and avoid same by utilizing non-porous material
e.g. medical gloves, goggles, and face shields to protect self.
If someone is injured in the workplace, use universal precautions to protect yourself
before you help someone else, regardless of how well you know them
2. ENGINEERING & WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS: eliminate or minimize employee
exposure by deploying:
– Readily accessible hand washing facilities (hands-free faucets).
– Contaminated sharps management & Contaminated equipment guidelines ( e.g. sterilization)
– Keeping food and drink out of the work area.
– Procedures involving blood handling.
ELEMENTS OF PROTECTION
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7. 3. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
The most common way to follow universal precautions is to use PPE- gear designed
to keep potentially infectious fluids off you and your clothes (gloves, gowns,
laboratory coats, face shields or masks, eye protection, mouthpieces, resuscitation
bags, pocket masks, or other ventilation devices); especially when exposure remains
after instituting engineering and work practice controls.
Gloves are all you will probably need for most first aid situations
Dealing with major injuries would require more extensive protection.
With PPE, the first work practice that you need to know is how to remove it safely.
When removing gloves or other equipment, turn the items inside out to contain any
contaminants, and place them in designated containers to be stored, washed,
decontaminated, or discarded.
Utilise a disinfectant, e.g. one part bleach to 10 parts water, to clean all work and
environmental surfaces, equipment, anything contaminated with potentially infectious
materials.
Do not forget to wash your hands or any exposed skin after removing PPE
Contaminated clothing needs to be washed immediately
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ELEMENTS OF PROTECTION
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ELEMENTS OF PROTECTION
- Teaching appropriate technique, make no
assumptions!
- Provide alcohol-based hand cleansers in multiple
locations in the workplace.
• Maintain worksite in clean and sanitary
condition.
• Cleaning and decontamination of items.
• Safe disposal of waste
• Closeable, constructed to contain all contents, labeled
or color-coded, closed prior to removal.
• Disposal of all regulated waste shall be in accordance
with applicable regulations.
9. BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN
PROGRAM IN WORK PLACES
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MEDICAL LABORATORY SCHOOL TEACHER
NAMPAK MEDICAL WASTE & SHARPS MANAGEMENT PROCESS
HOTEL FACTORY
RESTAURANTHOSPITAL
EMERGENCY SERVICES
10. • KEY ELEMENTS
1. A written exposure control plan that contains information & procedures to protect
employees from exposure and transmission of bloodborne pathogens in the
workplace.
2. PPE for employees who may come in contact with bloodborne pathogens as part of
their work activity e.g. HCPs (health-care personnel), first aiders etc.
3. Employee training on the risks of exposure and how to protect themselves from
exposure & segregation of medical waste.
4. Hepatitis B vaccination free of charge for any employee who may have exposure
to bloodborne pathogens
5. Follow-up and evaluation includes written report as well as appropriate tests and
consulting for the employee
6. Confidential medical records must be kept for all employees with a risk of
exposure on the job
7. The source of exposure is also asked to take a blood test and supply the results but
this person has the right to refuse the test.
8. Do not practice discriminatory employment based on employee
blood-borne pathogens status, especially HIV. SLIDE(HYPERLINK)
BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN
PROGRAM
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