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Control of Biological Agents

Control of Biological Agents. Training Objectives. By the end of this session participants will: Understand WorkSafeBC Regulations regarding this topic Understand the purpose of the program Be able to identify Biological Hazards and control procedures. Agenda.

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Control of Biological Agents

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  1. Control of Biological Agents

  2. Training Objectives By the end of this session participants will: • Understand WorkSafeBC Regulations regarding this topic • Understand the purpose of the program • Be able to identify Biological Hazards and control procedures

  3. Agenda • WorkSafeBC Regulation Requirements • Definitions • Symptoms and Effects • Method of Transmission • Exposure Control Plan

  4. Agenda (continued) • Risk Identification & Assessment • Controls • Hepatitis B Vaccine • Response Procedures • Labeling and Identification

  5. WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation • 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

  6. Definitions • Biological Agents include: • Viruses • Bacterium • Prion • Fungus • Some other biological agents

  7. Definitions • Bloodborne Diseases • Bloodborne pathogens such as: • Hepatitis B and C (HBV, HCV) • Other WorkSafeBC specified biohazardous materials

  8. Definitions • Occupational Exposure • Reasonably anticipated exposure as a result of employment

  9. Symptoms and Effects • 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

  10. 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

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

  12. Symptoms and Effects • 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

  13. Symptoms and Effects • Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) • Acute and chronic liver disease • More likely to cause chronic hepatitis, liver scarring and liver cancer than HBV

  14. Symptoms and Effects • Hepatitis C Virus – continued • Often no symptoms initially • 90% become chronically infected • 1 – 2 % of population in BC is affected

  15. Method of Transmission • Transmitted through contact with infected human blood and other body fluids such as: • Semen • Vaginal fluids • Cerebrospinal fluid • Synovial fluid • Pleural fluid • Peritoneal fluid • Amniotic fluid • Saliva – HBV only

  16. Method of Transmission • 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

  17. Method of Transmission • 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

  18. Exposure Control Plan • The Exposure Control Plan must: • Be in writing • List responsibilities • Include: • Risk assessment • Training • Written work procedures • Hygiene and decontamination facilities

  19. Exposure Control Plan • The Exposure Control Plan – continued • Health monitoring • Documentation

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

  21. Risk Assessment • Risk Assessment • A systematic approach to quantify a risk • Components include: • Likelihood • Frequency • Consequence

  22. Risk Assessment • Identify at risk jobs/tasks. Examples include: • Police • Firefighters • Parks workers • Solid waste disposal workers • Cleaning Staff • Sewage workers • Recreation staff • Plumbers • Road Crews • First Aid Attendants

  23. Risk Controls • Elimination • Substitution • Engineering Controls • Work Practice Controls, which may include • Standard Infection Control Precautions • Good housekeeping practices • Safe work procedures • Personal Protective Equipment

  24. Risk Controls 1. Elimination • Must be the 1st option • Is it necessary to do the task? • Can it be done another way?

  25. Risk Controls 2. Substitution • Substitute the process with a less hazardous procedure • Substitute the process with an alternate procedure

  26. 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

  27. Risk Controls 4. Work Practice Controls • Reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the way a task is performed

  28. 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

  29. 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)

  30. Risk Controls • Work Practice Controls include: • Safe Work Procedures

  31. 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

  32. Risk Controls • PPE may include: • Face shields • Gloves • Aprons, gowns, shoe covers

  33. 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

  34. Risk Controls • General Rules • Wash hands and remove protective clothing before eating, drinking, smoking, handling contact lenses, applying lip balm or cosmetics

  35. Risk Controls • General Rules - continued • Keep hands away from eyes, nose, and mouth • Frequent hand washing is best defense against spreading infection

  36. Risk Controls • 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

  37. 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

  38. 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

  39. Risk Controls – Removing Disposable Gloves

  40. Risk Controls • 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

  41. 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

  42. 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

  43. 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

  44. Proper hand washing

  45. Risk Controls • 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

  46. Exposure Response • 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

  47. 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

  48. 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

  49. 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)

  50. 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

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