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Why Risk Bloodborne Pathogens?

02 Mar 2019 8:47 PM | Deleted user
  

Why Risk Bloodborne Pathogens? 

The training for cleaning and proper disposal to prevent the spread of biological contamination, disease, and bloodborne pathogens is of the highest importance. I think everyone from daycare workers to food industry workers as well as every other job in-between should be given the right training and tools to protect not just themselves but everyone in return. The high risk of serious health issues from bloodborne pathogens is not just for medical field professionals. Every day workers doing what most people consider low risk jobs like cleaning are in reality highest on the list for possible exposure. If given the opportunity to gain the knowledge to save your life or another’s by having the proper skills to deal with a situation in any job it’s not one you should pass on lightly, if at all.

Most work places regularly train on the basic need to know regulations or mandates only because it’s required by law but don’t always take the next step toward making their work place a safer or cleaner environment. I encourage you in whatever position you work to take the next step and get the talk started about how you need to do more or train more to prevent workplace injury, contamination and or infections. Talk to your manager or to your fellow managers about the importance of training and having certified employees in this essential topic. People and animals are a part of everyday life and thus so is the threat of bloodborne pathogens. Knowing how real and present the risks are and how to handle them could be the next step to making your work place a great place to work.

Placing a tissue in the garbage bin that you found on the ground isn’t something that someone would think too much about, you’re cleaning up the environment right? But doing that simple act with your bare hands could be the spread of your worst years to come. Always using the proper Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E. = gloves, masks, goggles, and attire) and body substance isolation (B.S.I.) the practice of isolating all body substances (blood, urine, feces, mucus, etc.) is an everyday shielding step to insuring that you can cut your risks down considerably. Always look at the bigger picture if you don’t know what’s on it you don’t want it on you. H.I.V. and H.B.V. are some of the biggest most talked about issues when discussing bloodborne pathogens but there are numerous other reasons to learning proper cleaning technique and using the right cleaners for the job. The flu or Influenza killed about 80,000 people in the 2017-2018 season, according to figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by far some of the worst numbers in current times. Less commonly know is Brucellosis a disease caused by bacteria, these bacteria can infect both humans and animals. Brucellosis is often spread when people or animals eat contaminated food, raw meats/ blood, or unpasteurized milks. Symptoms may include high fever, extreme Headaches, joint pain and fatigue. The infection can usually be treated successfully with antibiotics but treatment and symptoms can last several weeks too many months, even years. Whatever the contaminants are you could be out of work for a while or a whole life. Why risk it when you can change your chances. Better cleaning, being aware, taking better self-care with P.P.E. can make a world of difference for your work place, your home, and your life.    

Be smart, be healthy, and be clean.

-         Angel Woodworth


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