12 Aug Blood Borne Pathogens

There are many areas of safety to consider in the workplace. A plethora of these are external, such as fire safety, electrical safety, confined spaces training.

However, some threats can be internal, posing harm to your physiology, and as such proper safety training and awareness should be heeded.

One example of an internal threat that Creation World Safety offers a safety training course in is Blood Borne Pathogens.

What are Blood Borne Pathogens?

To begin with, a pathogen is a type of a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that causes disease and long-lasting infections. A blood borne pathogen, meanwhile, is a type of pathogen that infects the human blood, specifically creating formidable illnesses in the human body. Some examples of dangerous blood borne pathogen diseases are:

• Hepatitis B (HBV)
• Hepatitis C (HCV)
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Viruses such as these can lead to infections and physiological harm like liver damage. In the case of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, AIDS can also develop.

How Do Blood Borne Pathogens Spread?

If you are stuck with a needle or other sharp object that has touched the blood or bodily fluids of a person who has a blood borne pathogen, you too may contract it. Pathogens can also spread if infected blood or bodily fluids make contact with an open sore, cut, or exposed mucus membrane (moist areas of your body such as the eyes, nose, and mouth). Some examples of bodily fluids that pathogens can spread through are:

• Joint Fluid
• Spinal Fluid
• Semen
• Breast Milk
• Amniotic Fluid

Reducing the Risk of Blood Borne Pathogens

Workers in many occupations, including first responders, healthcare personnel such as nurses, and certain janitorial staff may be at risk for exposure to blood borne pathogens.

Additionally, any workplace with the potential to get cuts via sharp objects can also be a potential threat. As such, to reduce and remove the risk of occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens, employers must:

• Apply engineering and work practice controls for their worksites
• Adhere to OSHA regulations for blood borne pathogens
• Use safer medical devices such as plastic capillary tubes and shielded needles
• Provide protective clothing and equipment to personnel
• Make sure staff members receive hepatitis B vaccinations
• Utilize blood borne pathogen employee safety training courses

To get started with a blood borne pathogen employee safety training course, contact Creation World Safety today. We would be glad to answer your questions and assist you with getting enrolled in one of our many safety courses.