The importance of understanding OSHA safety regulations and standards to prevent disease and infection to protect yourself and others, when working in the workplace.

 OSHA(occupational safety and Health administration). Created a set of guidelines called the bloodborne pathogen standard to help eliminate or reduce HBV, HIV or other bloodborne pathogens while in the workplace.

What are bloodborne pathogens? 

"blood borne pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that are present in the human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (associated with aids) and many others. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjpbeqDKZnE&t=105s) (Betco video YouTube channel). 

Understanding what are bloodborne pathogens is the first step to keep yourself and your employees safe and the employers responsibility to make sure everyone is safe and clean in the workplace. Developed for health care and hospital employees but later expanded to other occupational jobs that work with blood or infectious materials.

Blood, towels, dirty laundry, trash disposal or syringes. May have infectious materials and how you handle them is important because it may become a life or death scenario. Most infections occur in the persons mucus membrane (the nose or the persons mouth) or breaking of a persons skin like cuts, bites or scratches. come in contact with blood, bodily fluids, vomit or salvia. May contain bloodborne pathogens. But you can protect yourself with proper (PPE) protective personal equipment and protective measures.

Knowing protective practices.

It is your responsiblity to know, color coding of materials, labeling, laundry mangement and cleaning to decontaminate the area to keep the work setting clean and safe of pathogens. wearing a safety mask and gloves with the proper disinfectant is crucial to decontaminate any area. Always dispose your equipment in a red or orange waste container. Thoroughly clean your hands after wearing (PPE) this helps to reduce the spread of infection and disease. Always clean your cleaning equipment, containers or tongs with disinfectant after use.

What to do if exposed to a blood borne pathogen.

If you think you have been exposed to a bloodborne pathogen contact your work supervisor and physician immediately for exposure protocol. It is very important to pay attention to your health if your feeling any symptoms that relate to (HBV) hepatitis B virus or (HIV) human immunodeficiency virus. (HBV) hepatitis B virus is a liver disease that inflames the liver and leads to liver damage or liver failure. Symptoms include: Fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, light colored stools, dark urine. Make sure to check with your physician if you think you have (HBV).

(HIV) human immunodeficiency virus may develop to (AIDS) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, symptoms of (HIV) may include: Constant fatigue, sore throat, persistent fever, persistent rash of unknown origin, night sweats, persistent swollen glands, mild to serve flu like symptoms. If you think you may have (HIV) make sure to check with your physician immediately.

Conclusion

It is very important to understand bloodborne pathogens when handling and decontaminating an area. wearing proper (PPE) and good practices may result in a life and death scenario. Be careful out there and look for more information at OSHA's website.