This document provides guidelines on universal precautions and general safety for employees who may come into contact with infectious materials. It discusses key topics including: - Establishing practices to protect from blood and bodily fluids through OSHA standards. - Following safety measures like proper hand washing, use of personal protective equipment, safe disposal of contaminated items, and receiving hepatitis B vaccines and training. - Understanding common bloodborne pathogens like hepatitis B, C, and HIV and how they are transmitted through contact with infectious bodily fluids.

1. Universal Precautions & General
Safety Guidelines

2. This required training applies to all who may reasonably be
expected to come into contact with blood, body fluids or other
potentially infectious materials on the job.
Establishes practices for protection of employees
Standards set by OSHA in 1991
(Occupational Safety Health Administration)

3. What is your agency’s infection control
plan?
What safety measures are in place?
What work practices should you follow?
What personal protective equipment should you use?
What housekeeping practices are in place?
You can get Hep B vaccine, medical counseling, follow-
up (post-exposure)
You will receive annual training.

4. What is a blood borne pathogen?
A microorganism present in blood
or bodily fluids that can infect and
cause disease.

5. What are the most common blood borne
pathogens we are concerned about?
 Hepatitis B, C and HIV
How are these pathogens spread?
 By exposure to blood or other bodily fluids that may contain
blood
What and How?

6. Inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B
virus.
It is spread through sexual contact, IV drug use, blood
transfusions or exposure to infected blood.
Symptoms may develop 4-6 months after exposure.
** Prevention is the key. To protect yourself use
universal precautions and get the Hepatitis B
vaccine.
Tell me about Hepatitis B

7. Your agency can provide this vaccine free.
It is administered in 3 doses over several months.
If you have already had the vaccine in the past, you can
obtain a test to see if you are still immune to Hepatitis
B.
How can I get the vaccine?

8. A major cause of chronic liver disease.
It is also spread like Hepatitis B.
There is NO vaccine available.
It increases your risk for cirrhosis and liver cancer.
What is Hepatitis C?

9. Which bodily fluids are potentially infectious?
 Blood
 Urine
 Feces
 Saliva
 Open wounds
 Semen and Vaginal secretions.
NOT perspiration(sweat) or tears!
Which Fluids?

10. When one of these fluids come into contact with
“broken” skin.
 Cuts
 Rashes
 Hangnails
 Piercings
or open surface like
 Eyes
 Mouth
 Nose
 Mucous membrane
An infection may occur.
Which Fluids?

11.  Safety measures that are used to prevent harmful
bacteria and viruses (pathogens) from infecting
people who provide first aid, personal or health
care.
 It is important that DSPs use universal
precautions – it helps to protect everyone!
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU USE UNIVERSAL
PRECAUTIONS!
What Are Universal Precautions?

12.  Appropriate Hand Washing & Personal Hygiene
 Disposal/Care of Contaminated Items (like
needles, clothing, bedding, tissues, bandages,
etc.)
 Engineering Controls
 Hepatitis B vaccination
What are the Safety Measures?

13.  ALWAYS….when you are providing care and
coming into contact with certain bodily fluids.
 Treat ALL these fluids as if they were infectious,
regardless of what you know about the person.
This is what “universal” means!!
When should we use Universal
Precautions?

14.  When you wash your hands properly, you wash
away bacteria and viruses that you have picked
up from the environment.
 Washing your hands properly will prevent the
spread of pathogens, thus avoiding illness.
Hand Washing

15.  Wet your hands with warm water and apply soap;
 Scrub your hands together briskly; get under
fingernails and between fingers;
 Wash for 10-15 seconds (“A,B,C’s” or “Happy
Birthday” one time through);
 Dry hands thoroughly with a clean paper towel;
 Use the towel to turn off the faucet and open the
door!
Proper method of Hand Washing

16.  Before and after preparing food
 Before and after eating
 Before and after providing direct care
 After cleaning
 After using the bathroom
 After touching pets
 After blowing your nose
**Be mindful that there may be more times when you
need to wash your hands**
When Do You Wash Hands?

17. Use these according to your agency policy:
 Gloves
 Gowns/Aprons
 Protective Eyewear
 Masks/Face Shields
These are to protect YOU and
the people you support.
Personal Protective Equipment

18. Gloves are the most
commonly used
protective equipment.
They should be used:
 To avoid contact with blood or other body fluids
 When handling contaminated items (e.g. laundry with
urine or fecal soiling)
 When there are open cuts, scratches or wounds on the
person you are supporting or on your own hands
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

19. Be sure to wash your hands before and after you use
gloves. Gloves serve as a protective measure, but you
still have the responsibility to perform proper care.
Gloves should be changed every time you come in
contact with a new person or activity.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

20.  Discard of contaminated needles or other sharp
instruments in appropriate containers
 Dispose of used items (napkins, tissues, hand
sanitizing cloths) or wash used items (towels, wash
cloths)
 Do not share personal care items (towels, wash
cloths)
Disposal/Care of Contaminated Items

21. Soiled Linen
 Should be bagged and transported in a manner to
prevent leakage and contamination of DSP’s clothing
 Sort linen before washing; use gloves to sort
 The settings on household washing machines are
sufficient to kill most common bacteria
 Use additives at the appropriate amounts for adequate
wash and care
Disposal/Care of Contaminated Items

22.  Immediately wash/rinse the exposed body part with soap and
warm water for sixty seconds. If necessary, flush eyes with
clean running water.
 Provide immediate first aid if it is necessary
 Tell someone! (according to your agency policy). You may need
to be tested/treated.
 Clean the environment with an appropriate disinfecting
solution, such as ten parts water to one part bleach. Bleach will
kill both HIV and hepatitis B virus. (Or, your agency may have
another product that you should use)
 After cleaning, promptly disinfect mops and any other
cleaning equipment, or you may spread the viruses to other
areas.
What to do if there is an exposure

23.  Communicable diseases spread from person to
person.
 You may hear them referred to as contagious or
infectious diseases as well.
 One example is Tuberculosis. You must obtain an
annual PPD to demonstrate that you do not have TB.
 Other examples: colds, flu.
Other Communicable Diseases
-not blood borne-

24. Caused by bacteria that are spread through the air by
infectious particles.
These bacteria infect the lungs.
Active TB requires antibiotic treatment for a year
Latent TB means that someone has the infection but
is NOT infectious.
Tuberculosis

25. Food Handling

26.  Wash hands to prevent food contamination.
 Keep foods out of the danger zone! (41 F – 135 F)
Bacteria grow FASTER in that range!
 Don’t defrost meat on the counter!
 Avoid cross-contamination
 Pick up utensils by handles only
When preparing food:

27. Emergency!! Disaster!!
How to prepare?

28. The needs of each person in an emergency are unique.
In order to provide the best, most individualized care….
PEPP: Each person has a Personal Emergency
Preparedness Plan
CEPP: Each agency has a Comprehensive Emergency
Preparedness Plan
Emergencies!
Being prepared in a person-centered way

29. Fire Safety

30. Fire Safety
Did you know that 80% of
fire deaths occur in the
home due to:
 Cooking
 Smoking
 Heating
The components
that make fire are:
 Heat
 Fuel
 Oxygen

31. To avoid fire, use…
 Surge protectors;
 extension cords are not recommended and
should never be used as primary wiring
 Space heaters only when there are 3 feet of space
around them
 Safe smoking practices
Fire Safety

32. To avoid fire, check…
 that cooking appliances are turned off after use
 cords on electric appliances: check for damage;
unplug appliances when not in use
 that smoke alarms are tested and batteries changed
as required
 the fire extinguishers are charged and inspected as
required
Fire Safety

33.  Use for small fires only!
 Be mindful that they differ kinds of fire extinguishers
based on contents and purpose
 Operate using P.A.S.S.
 Do not throw water on grease fires
REMEMBER TO CALL 911
Use of Fire Extinguisher

34. P
.A.S.S.
 Pull the pin
 Aim
 Squeeze
 Sweep
Use of Fire Extinguisher

35. Know your agency’s policy for fire drills.
Know your agency’s evacuation plan
 Know two ways to exit
 Mark accessible windows
 Where is the “Area of Rescue or Meeting Place”
outside the home?
Drills & Evacuation

36.  Get low
 Get out fast
 Do not return inside of the house
 If fire gets on your clothing, STOP, DROP and ROLL
 Contact 911 from another location
 Make sure the people you support are evacuated.
Escape Procedures

37. Back Safety

38. Depending on the duties of your job, you may be
required to lift heavy items or help to transfer a
person from one place to another.
As a reminder, take care of your back and spine!!
Back Safety

39. Safe Lifting
When lifting any heavy item, do not bend forward and
lift. This will place pressure on your back and spinal
cord and cause injury.
Back Safety

40. Safe Lifting
In order to lift correctly, bend at the knees, wrap your
arms around the person or item and lift with your
knees!!
Back Safety

41. ANY QUESTIONS?