Workplace Safety

1. Workplace Safety Pickaway County Public Health

2. Introduction Lesson objectives: • Define bloodborne pathogens. • Identify workers who are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. • Identify key aspects of a Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan; • Describe methods for controlling exposure to bloodborne pathogens. • Describe steps to take when exposed to a bloodborne pathogen. • Describe workplace hazards. • Describe benefits of a healthy workplace.

3. Bloodborne Pathogens What are bloodborne pathogens? • Pathogenic microorganisms present in human blood that can lead to diseases • Examples of primary concern • Hepatitis B (HBV) • Hepatitis C (HCV) • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

4. Bloodborne Pathogens • Hepatitis B (HBV) • Over 12 million Americans are infected (1 in 20)* • Silent infection; symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, intermittent nausea, vomiting; may lead to chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and death • HBV can survive for at least one week in dried blood • Up to 40,000 people in US will become newly infected each year* *Source: Hepatitis B Foundation Reported cases of hepatitis B in the U.S. have generally declined from 1980 to 2014. Source: CDC

5. Bloodborne Pathogens • Hepatitis C (HCV) • Hepatitis C is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the U.S. • Symptoms include: jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, intermittent nausea, vomiting • May lead to chronic liver disease and death

6. Risk of Exposure Contamination sources: • Blood • Other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) • Human body fluids • Any unfixed tissue or organ from human • Cultures, culture mediums, or other solutions • Experimental animal blood, tissues, or organs infected with HIV or HBV Source: OSHA

7. Risk of Exposure Spread of bloodborne pathogens occurs through: • Direct contact • Indirect contact • Respiratory transmission • Vector-borne transmission Source: NIOSH

8. Risk of Exposure How exposure occurs: • Needlesticks • Cuts from other contaminated sharps • Contact of mucous membrane or broken skin with contaminated blood or OPIM Source: OSHA DTE

9. Risk of Exposure Occupational exposures: • Occupations at risk • First responders • Housekeeping personnel in some industries • Nurses and other healthcare personnel • CDC estimates 5.6 million workers in healthcare and related occupations are at risk • All occupational exposure to blood or OPIM places workers at risk Source: OSHA

10. What does Law enforcement face? • In fights, bitten, scratched, spat on; blood spatter, urinated on, have an open wound; coughing/sneezing, those with dangerous diseases. • Knife and needle sticks

11. Biological risks • LE have a higher risk of being attacked or wounded while on the job; and a higher risk of being exposed to a life-threatening illness • Leading occupational hazards for LE: highway incidents & homicides • Others include: other injuries, stress, & unavoidable contact w/people who have contagious diseases • Contracted via blood, air/respiratory droplets, consuming contaminated food/water (Hep. A/polio), direct contact with contaminated objects

12. Exposure Control Plan (ECP) Establish an Exposure Control Plan • Written plan • Review and update plan

13. Exposure Control Plan (ECP) Required elements of Exposure Control plan include: • Exposure determination • Schedule and method of implementation • Procedure for evaluation of exposure incidents

14. Exposure Control Plan (ECP) • Accessible to employees • Review and update • Annually • When new or modified tasks/procedures are implemented

15. Controlling Exposures Observe standard precautions, such as: • Treating all blood and bodily fluids as if they are contaminated • Proper cleanup and decontamination Source: OSHA DTE

16. Controlling Exposures Engineering and work practice controls: • Safer medical devices • Sharps disposal containers • Hand hygiene Source: NIOSH Source: NIOSH Source: OSHA DTE

17. Controlling Exposures PPE examples: • Gloves • Masks • Aprons/Smocks/Gowns • Face shields • Mouthpieces • Safety glasses • CPR pocket masks

18. Controlling Exposures Employer’s responsibilities: • Perform hazard assessment • Identify and provide appropriate PPE to employee at no cost • Train employees on use and care • Maintain/replace PPE • Review, update, evaluate PPE program

19. Controlling Exposures • PPE selection • Safe design and construction • Fit comfortably • Required PPE training • When it is necessary • What kind is necessary • Proper donning, adjusting, wearing, doffing • Limitations • Proper care, maintenance, useful life, disposal Source: CDC

20. Controlling Exposures Employee’s responsibilities: • Properly wear PPE • Attend training • Care for, clean, and maintain • Notify when repairs/replacement needed

21. Controlling Exposures Housekeeping: • Written schedule for cleaning and decontamination • Picking up broken glass • Not picked up by hands • Mechanical means only Source: OSHA DTE

22. Controlling Exposures Clean-up and decontamination: • Wear protective gloves • Use appropriate disinfectant • Clean and disinfect contaminated equipment and work surfaces • Thoroughly wash up immediately after exposure • Properly dispose of contaminated PPE, towels, rags, etc. Source: OSHA DTE

23. Controlling Exposures • Regulated waste disposal: • Dispose of regulated waste in closable, leak-proof red or biohazard labeled bags or containers • Dispose of contaminated sharps in closable, puncture-resistant, leak-proof, red or Source: OSHA DTE

24. Controlling Exposures • Laundry • Contaminated laundry must be bagged or containerized at the location where it was used. Source: OSHA DTE

25. Controlling Exposures Training: • Who • All employees with occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM) • Employees who are trained in first aid and CPR • No cost; during working hours • When • Initial assignment • Annually; or with new/modified tasks Source: OSHA DTE

26. Controlling Exposures Hepatitis B vaccination: • Offered to all potentially exposed employees • Declination form Source: OSHA DTE

27. Controlling Exposures No vaccinations for: • Hepatitis C • HIV

28. When Exposure Occurs Exposure incident: • Specific eye, mouth, or other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, parenteral contact with blood or OPIM that results from the performance of an employee’s duties. Source: CDC

29. When Exposure Occurs • Immediate actions • Wash exposed area with soap and water • Flush splashes to nose, mouth, or skin with water • Irrigate eyes with water and saline Source: OSHA

30. When Exposure Occurs • Report exposure immediately • Direct employee to healthcare professional for treatment

31. When Exposure Occurs • Confidential medical evaluation and follow-up • Route(s) of exposure and circumstances • Source individual • Collect/test blood for HBV and HIV serological status • Post exposure prophylaxis (when medically indicated) • Counseling • Evaluation

32. Overexertion • Use proper lifting technique when picking up packages • Do not lift anything too heavy for you • Ask for help to carry large objects • Avoid unnecessary body movement while carrying heavy objects • Take frequent short breaks when performing repetitive tasks to avoid overuse injuries

33. Creating a Culture of Safety • Report on injury to a superior as soon as possible • Ask for help if a task may be unsafe or too difficult to accomplish alone • Inform your coworkers of unsafe conditions • Listen to your body, if a repetitive action hurts take a short break

34. Slips, Trips & Falls • Slips, Trips & Falls (STFs) account for 15% of unintentional deaths, and about 17% of disabling occupational injuries • STFs are often easily avoidable/preventable • How to prevent STFs: • Clean up spills as soon as possible • Pay attention to your surroundings when walking • Work in properly lit spaces • If you need to reach a high place, stand on a stable surface • Avoid clutter in the workplace • Wear appropriate footwear for the task

35. Sitting & Computer Usage • Excessive sitting have been linked to an increased risk of: • Type 2 diabetes • Heart Disease • Cancers • Staring at a computer for too long can lead to: • Eye strain • Headache • Blurred vision • To avoid all of these uncomfortable complications get up and stretch every hour

36. Mental Health • Mental well being plays a crucial role in motivation and productivity • Reach out if you need help • Ensure you are getting enough sleep • Adults should aim for between 7-9 hours of sleep • Do not take on too much excess work, saying no is important • Too many tasks can cause unnecessary stress that can lead to illness • Create work life balance • Working hard is important, but rest and social activity are also crucial

37. Benefits of A Healthy Work Place • A healthy workplace leads to greater productivity • Healthy workplaces save everyone money • Fewer sick days • Lower insurance costs • Healthier companies are more likely to: • Recruit new employees • Retain employees for longer • Higher employee morale leads to great cooperation amongst coworkers

38. What Questions Do You Have? ?

39. References • https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/safety-topics • https://www.bytestart.co.uk/10-most-common-workplace-accidents-injuries.html • https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2000/document/build.htm • https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/electronic-screen-alert-avoid-this-vision-risk • https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sitting/faq-20058005 • https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=hw206944 • https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/model/index.html • https://www.wellsteps.com/blog/2018/07/04/reasons-to-have-a-wellness-program-benefits-of-wellness/