What is a Blood borne Pathogen?
Exposures to blood and other body fluids occur across a wide variety of occupations. Health care workers, emergency response and public safety personnel, and other workers can be exposed to blood through needle-stick and other sharps injuries, mucous membrane, and skin exposures. The pathogens of primary concern are the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Workers and employers are urged to take advantage of available engineering controls and work practices to prevent exposure to blood and other body fluids.
Definition
Blood borne pathogens are viruses and bacteria that are found in the blood and can be transmitted via blood or other body fluids. Not all infections are transmitted in this way. Some, like herpes and HPV are spread from skin to skin rather than through blood and other bodily fluids. Others can be transmitted through coughing and sneezing, or through contact with contaminated food.
How
Some blood borne pathogens may also be transmitted in other ways, such as by exposure to semen, urine, or saliva. Sometimes this is because small amounts of blood may be present in these fluids. Other times, it’s because the virus or bacteria isn’t restricted to growth in blood. That is why it is always a good idea to be cautions when handling bodily fluids. When in doubt, assume they are infected and take proper precautions.
Why
Many companies choose not to maintain the OSHA required documents and plans because of the major increase in insurance premiums, exposure to their employees and customers, and a possible responsibility to a lifetime of health coverage for employees/customers that may develop health issues from exposure . In this situation, these companies choose to hire out their hazardous situation to a licensed, insured, bonded, certified, permitted
Who
Let Crime Clean Decontamination, LLC answer your questions and respond when the need arises. We are on call 24-hours a day, 365 days of the year. 602.692.3492