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the object must be decontaminated. This
means that all potentially harmful viruses are
removed from the object so as to make safe.
Decontamination is accomplished with a broad
spectrum germicide. There are several options
available to perform decontamination:
Commercial
Germicides
are
products
manufactured specifically to kil microorganisms
and clean pathogens off a surface. Your
employer may have identified a commercial
gernicide he or she wants you to use at work.
Bleach is also a very powerful broad spectrum
germicide that is very effective against HIV and
Hepatitis viruses. The general recommendation
is that an cleaning be done using a 10% bleach
– 90% water solution.
Disposal
If a material that needs to be disposed of is
saturated with blood or bodily fluid, it should
become
biohazarded.
Biohazarded materails
become medical waste and end up being
incinerated or otherwised processed in a
special way. To biohazard a material, it should
be placed into a biohazard bag and the bag
must be kept isolated from others who might
contact it and be exposed to it’s contents.
Biohazard bags are florescent red or orange
and are identified with a biohazard symbol.
Biohazard Symbol
Steps You Can Take to Prevent Disease
Work Practices
There are some important actions you should
take to avoid catching a bloodborne illness.. An
important step is to frequently wash your hands
– especially after potential exposure to a
bloodborne pathogen. You should wash your
hands even if you were wearing gloves or some
other protective gear.
You should also make sure that after an
exposure, you avoid any contact between
hands and mucous membranes until your
hands are washed. This includes eating,
drinking, applying makeup, adjusting contact
lenses or smoking. Remember, you should not
bring your hands up to your face unless your
gloves have been removed and your hands are
washed.
Protective Gear
There are several items of protective gear that
can be used to avoid exposure to a bloodborne
pathogen. In general, you should use a piece
of protective gear anywhere you anticipate
contact with a potentially infectious material.
For example, if you think there might be a
change you could get some material on your
hands, you should wear gloves. If you are
doing rescue breathing as part of CPR, you
should use a rescue breathing batrrier device.
Contaminant Storage
You should also make sure you store
contaminated items in appropriate containers.
If an item becomes soiled with a potentially
infectious material, you should dispose of it
appropriately.
Decontamination
When an object becomes soiled with a
potentially infectious material, it should
immediately dispose of the object appropriately
if possible so as to minimize the chances of it
infecting someone else. If disposal is not an
option because the object is too valuable, then