Avoiding Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens
Course Description:
This session discusses how you might be exposed to bloodborne pathogens (BBP) and infectious diseases, how you can protect yourself from exposure, and how to clean up and properly dispose of blood or bodily fluids. Employees most likely to be exposed include first-aid responders, janitorial and maintenance personnel, and workers assigned to clean up after an industrial accident. Even if your job does not normally expose you to blood or bodily fluids, this session is helpful to raise your awareness of bloodborne pathogens, to understand why you should not come in contact with them, and to understand that it is important to report spills of blood or bodily fluids so that they can be cleaned up safely.
Why “Avoiding Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens” Matters:
Millions of people in the United States are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other bloodborne diseases;
Tens of thousands are newly infected each year;
The age range with the highest numbers of BBPs is 20 to 50, or in other words, working people;
More than 15,000 Americans die of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) each years; and
Exposure to infected blood could lead to HIV or other bloodborne diseases.
Key Points:
- Identify potential sources of exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the workplace.
- Describe the characteristics and symptoms of bloodborne diseases.
- Implement controls to protect yourself from exposure.
- Respond appropriately to an exposure incident.
