Control of biological agents ghs is a part

Control of Biological Agents GHS IS A PART OF THIS TRAINING

Training ObjectivesThere are over 100 types of bloodborne pathogens,

such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites, that can be present in the blood or other body fluids of infected humans. Although the two most publicized are the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, and the hepatitus B or HBV virus, others are also dangerous, such as malaria, syphilis, Lyme disease, and the Epstein-Barr virus.

• Government Safety Regulation Requirements• Definitions• Symptoms and Effects• Method of Transmission• Exposure Control Plan

Two things to remember ALWAYS

This is replaced by THAT

Plus ALWAYS CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING

• Risk Identification & Assessment• Controls• Hepatitis B Vaccine• Response Procedures• Labeling and Identification

• Compile list of tasks with possible exposure • If exposure is possible, an Exposure Control

Plan is required• Develop work procedures• Labeling of materials• Vaccination available

Government Safety OHS Regulation

• Biological Agents include:– Viruses– Bacterium– Prion– Fungus– Some other biological agents

Definitions

• Bloodborne Diseases– Bloodborne pathogens such as:

• Hepatitis B and C (HBV, HCV)• Other Government Safety specified biohazardous

materials

Definitions

• Occupational Exposure– Reasonably anticipated exposure as a result of

employment

Definitions

• HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus– Causes AIDS– No cure or vaccination

• HBV: Hepatitis B virus– Causes liver disease– Vaccination available

• HCV: Hepatitis C virus– Causes liver disease, liver cancer– No cure

Symptoms and Effects

• HIV– Causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency

Syndrome)– May take many years before AIDS develops– HIV attacks the body’s immune system– AIDS is a fatal disease


• Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)– Short or long term liver swelling– Permanent liver damage and scarring (cirrhosis)– Liver cancer in some



• Hepatitis B Virus - continued

– Symptoms range from flu-like to none at all– Person is infectious even if no symptoms– 1% die from initial infection– 10% are chronically infected

• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)– Acute and chronic liver disease– More likely to cause chronic hepatitis, liver

scarring and liver cancer than HBV



• Hepatitis C Virus – continued

– Often no symptoms initially– 90% become chronically infected– 10% of population in Canada is affected

• Transmitted through contact with infected human blood and other body fluids such as:

Method of Transmission

• Semen• Vaginal fluids• Cerebrospinal fluid• Synovial fluid• Pleural fluid

• Peritoneal fluid• Amniotic fluid• Saliva – HBV only

• May be transmitted in 3 ways:– Through cut or punctured skin– Splash of infectious fluid on mucous membranes

(eyes, mouth, nose)– Splash of infectious fluid onto non-intact skin


• HIV– very fragile outside the human body

• HBV– can live in dried blood for 10 days or more

• HCV– unknown how long it survives in the environment


• The Exposure Control Plan must:– Be in writing– List responsibilities– Include:

• Risk assessment• Training• Written work procedures• Hygiene and decontamination facilities

Exposure Control Plan


• The Exposure Control Plan – continued

– Health monitoring– Documentation

• The Plan is based on:– Statistical information– History at similar workplaces– Known exposures and/or near misses– Input from workers


• Risk Assessment– A systematic approach to quantify a risk– Components include:

• Likelihood• Frequency• Consequence

Risk Assessment

• Identify at risk jobs/tasks. Examples include:

Risk Assessment

• Police• Firefighters• Parks workers• Solid waste disposal workers• Cleaning Staff

• Sewage workers• Recreation staff• Plumbers• Road Crews• First Aid Attendants

1. Elimination2. Substitution3. Engineering Controls4. Work Practice Controls, which may include

– Standard Infection Control Precautions– Good housekeeping practices– Safe work procedures

5. Personal Protective Equipment

Risk Controls

1. Elimination• Must be the 1st option

– Is it necessary to do the task?– Can it be done another way?

Risk Controls

2. Substitution– Substitute the process with a less hazardous

procedure– Substitute the process with an alternate

procedure

Risk Controls

3. Engineering Controls– Remove or isolate the hazard(s)– Use of:

• tools to control• sharps containers• splatter guards• biohazard cabinets• good laboratory practices

Risk Controls

4. Work Practice Controls– Reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the

way a task is performed

Risk Controls

• Work Practice Controls include:– Standard Infection Control Precautions

• Treat all human blood and other potentially infectious materials as infectious.

• Take appropriate precautions in all cases• Do not assume there is low risk

Risk Controls

• Work Practice Controls include:– Housekeeping practices

• Identify locations of concern• Clean high risk areas• Size and nature of the spill• Cleaning instructions• Type of disinfectant (MSDS)

Risk Controls

• Work Practice Controls include:– Safe Work Procedures

Risk Controls

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)– Vital in all situations– Must be available to workers– Must be suitable to the hazard– Workers must be instructed in its use– Must fit properly

Risk Controls

• PPE may include:– Face shields– Gloves– Aprons, gowns, shoe covers

Risk Controls

Risk Controls

• Safe Work Procedures

• General rules• Handling and

disposal of contaminated laundry

• Picking up sharps

• Removing disposable gloves

• Handling garbage• Hand washing• Spill cleanup• What to do if

exposed

• General Rules– Wash hands and remove protective clothing

before eating, drinking, smoking, handling contact lenses, applying lip balm or cosmetics

Risk Controls

Risk Controls

• General Rules - continued

– Keep hands away from eyes, nose, and mouth– Frequent hand washing is best defense against

spreading infection

• Contaminated Laundry– Isolate and minimize handling– Separate contaminated laundry from other

laundry– Bag the laundry at point of use– Identify if taken to outside facilities– Do not sort or rinse on site

Risk Controls

• Picking Up Sharps (1)– Must be trained– Use the proper equipment and PPE– No sharps in pockets– Do not put sharps in regular garbage

Risk Controls

• Picking Up Sharps (2)– Disposable waterproof gloves– Place container next to sharp (do not hold)– Use tongs or pliers (or pick up by shaft)– Place the needle end or sharp end first– Do not fill container– Dispose of container

Risk Controls

Risk Controls – Removing Disposable Gloves

• Handling Garbage (1)– Handle as little as possible– Watch for sharps– Do not compress– Do not reach into containers with bare hands– Do not pick up loose garbage unless using

puncture/liquid resistant gloves

Risk Controls

• Handling Garbage (2)– Do not completely fill bags– Hold by top of bag only– Hold away from the body– Do not support bottom of bag with your hand

Risk Controls

• Hand Washing (1)– One of the most important and easiest

prevention practices– Frequent hand washing is the best defense

against spreading infection– Keep hands away from your eyes, nose and

mouth

Risk Controls

• Hand Washing (2)– Wash hands and remove protective clothing:

• Before eating, drinking, smoking, handling contact lenses, applying lip balm or cosmetics

• Suspect glove torn or leaking• After removing gloves• After contact with with blood or body fluids• Before leaving work area

Risk Controls

Proper hand washing

• Spill Cleanup and Decontamination– Use proper PPE– Spills must be cleaned up immediately– Use a freshly mixed 1:10 bleach solution or an

approved germicide / disinfectant– Refer to written safe work procedures

Risk Controls

• What to do if exposed (1)– Get First Aid if injury requires it– Get medical attention immediately– Report the incident to your supervisor– Document – complete the report form

Exposure Response

• What To Do If Exposed (2)– Sharp Injury or Bite

• Let the wound bleed freely• Promote bleeding• Wash the affected area• Seek medical attention immediately

Exposure Response

• What To Do If Exposed (3)– Contact With Intact Skin

• Immediately wash exposed area• Do not use bleach or caustic disinfectant• Vehicles should carry waterless hand cleaner• Remember: intact skin is a barrier to transmission of

diseases

Exposure Response

• What To Do If Exposed (4)– Contact With Non-Intact Skin or Mucous

Membranes• Immediately flush the affected area with large amounts

of water• Seek medical attention immediately (treat as a medical

emergency)

Exposure Response

• Medical Evaluation– Type of fluid or material– Type of exposure– Status of the source– Status of the worker

All medical information is confidential

Exposure Response

• Reporting the Exposure– Report all exposures/injuries where:

• injury penetrates through intact skin or mucous membrane

• there is an exposure to non-intact skin (healing wound, dermatitis, chapped or scraped skin)

Exposure Response

• If a vaccine is available for a known occupational hazard (as per Government Safety Regulation) the employer will make it available to workers free of charge.

Vaccinations

• Protect yourself on and off the job – know what you are working with

• Practice good personal hygiene• Follow procedures. Use gloves and protective

clothing• Wash your hands often• Keep areas clean - report problems

immediately to supervisors

Review

• Today’s discussion included:– Government Safety Regulations– Definitions– Symptoms and Effects– Method of Transmission– Exposure Control Plan– Risk Assessments and Controls– Exposure Response, and– Vaccinations

Summary

Control of biological agents ghs is a part

Health & Medicine

Transcript of Control of biological agents ghs is a part