Safety and risk management

Many workers are at great risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. This course will teach you the ropes on how to protect yourself while handling contaminated sharps. 

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms present in blood that can cause diseases such as Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)


These diseases are spread when the blood from an infected person enters the body of someone who is not infected.


For workers who are continuously exposed to hazardous working environment, transmission occurs when sharps such as needles, scalpels, broken glass, capillary tubes, and exposed ends of dental wires penetrate their skin.


Therefore, careful handling of contaminated sharps spells the difference between health and disease.


Handling Contaminated Sharps

Hepatitis B is a liver infection  caused by the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).


Quick Trivia:
Back in 2018 alone, 1,649 deaths related to Hepatitis B were reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), but that's an underestimate!


What is an HBV vaccine?
Hepatitis B vaccine gives you immunity to Hepatitis B virus without getting sick first.


Hepatitis B Vaccination Protection

Any instance that you've been potentially exposed to bloodborne pathogens or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) as defined in the standard that results from the performance of your duties.


Why should you immediately report an exposure incident?
Exposure incidents can lead to infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or other bloodborne pathogens and will need immediate evaluation.


Immediate Medical Evaluation
Reporting an exposure incident right away allows us to arrange for your immediate medical evaluation.


Immediate Intervention to Avoid Spreading
Early reporting is crucial for you as it allows us to begin immediate intervention and address any possible infection. It will also help you take care of your co-workers by avoiding any possible spreading of bloodborne infections to others.


Evaluation of the Circumstances for Prevention
Reporting an exposure incident immediately allows us to check the circumstances surrounding the incident in a timely manner and find ways of preventing such a situation from happening again.


Identifying the Source Individual
Unless impossible or prohibited by state or local law, we'd need to determine the source’s HBV and HIV infectivity status.


Exposure incidents can lead to:


We will provide you with copy of the evaluating healthcare professional’s written opinion within 15 days of completion of the evaluation.
The written opinion will include whether hepatitis B vaccination was recommended for you.
The healthcare provider will inform you of the results of the evaluation and any medical conditions resulting from exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) which require further evaluation or treatment.


What should be on a written opinion?


Exposure Incidents

In this lesson, you will learn how to select, maintain, decontaminate, and dispose of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) based on OSHA's PPE Standard. 

In this lesson, you will learn how to select, maintain, decontaminate, and dispose of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) based on OSHA's PPE Standard in order to reduce exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens.


Selecting your Personal Protective Equipment
Ensure that the equipment/s to be used are appropriate to the exposure that will be encountered at work.


Lab coats, gowns, smocks, and uniforms are important when working in HIV and HBV research laboratories and production facilities.


In blood donation centers, wearing gloves is necessary when:


Remove immediately when a garment is penetrated by blood or OPIM, and before leaving the work area.


After removal, place at the proper designated area or container for storage, washing, decontamination, or disposal.


We will ensure that you wash your hands as soon as gloves, or other protective equipments are removed.


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Bloodborne Pathogens

Bloodborne Pathogens Lessons

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