How can you protect yourself?
Generally, engineering controls, work practice controls, and personal protective equipment are most common exposure control methods. Each of the actions below are effective methods to help protect against exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
- Get the hepatitis B vaccine
- Read and understand your employer’s Exposure Control Plan
- Dispose of used sharps promptly into an appropriate sharps disposal container
- Use sharps devices with safety features whenever possible
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and face shields, every time there is a potential for exposure to blood or body fluids
- Clean work surfaces with germicidal products
If you are exposed to bloodborne pathogens, take the following actions:
- Wash needlesticks and cuts with soap and water
- Flush splashes to nose, mouth, or skin with water
- Irrigate eyes with clean water, saline, or sterile wash
- Report all exposures promptly to ensure that you receive appropriate followup care
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
3-5. Which of the following is an effective way to protect against exposure to bloodborne pathogens?
You forgot to answer the question!