11/7/2011
Biological Hazards and Controls for Rehabilitation Professionals
Module 2
What is a biological hazard? Biological hazards are organisms or substances produced by organisms that may pose a threat to human health. Sources include bacteria, viruses, fungi, insects, plants, birds, animals and humans. Impacts on human health may be over a wide range from mild irritation to life-threatening diseases.
Sources of biological hazards
People Equipment Environment Animals and insects
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What does it take to cause an infection?
Exposure routes for infectious agents
Inhalation Injection Skin or mucous membrane contact (absorption)
Decreasing effectiveness of controls
Engineering
Administrative
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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Common biological hazards and controls
Exposure to blood or body fluid from sharps (including acupuncture needles) Controls
Engineering controls – Well-designed workspace and equipment Administrative controls – Safe work procedures, sharps handling and disposal procedures, worker education, immunization programs PPE – Based on hazard assessment
Common biological hazards and controls Exposure to airborne biological agents through contact with secretions from infectious clients (coughing, sneezing, etc.) or air contaminated with infectious biological agents Controls
Engineering controlsControls –– Isolation isolation rooms, early detectiondetection of infectious clients Administrative controls – complianceCompliance withwith infectioninfection controlcontrol procedures, immunization programs, worker education, self- declaration of infectious status by clients PPE – basedBased onon hazard, may include respiratory protection,protection, eye protection, protective clothing
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Common biological hazards and controls Exposure to droplets containing infectious materials through contact with blood and body fluids from wounds or contaminated equipment or surfaces Controls
Engineering controls – Disinfection of equipment and surfaces Administrative controls – Good housekeeping, compliance with all infection controls procedures, waste management procedures, immunization programs, worker education PPE – Based on hazard assessment, may include eye protection, gloves, protective clothing
Common biological hazards and controls Exposure to environmental biological contaminants from ventilation systems, water or food Controls EiEngineeri ng cont tlrols – MitMaintenance of ventil tiltiation syst ems, rapid clean-up of spills, regular testing of water supply system, early detection and remediation of mould Administrative controls – Infection control procedures related to building and equipment maintenance, protocols for construction projects, worker education PPE – Use of PPE such as gloves, respiratory and eye protection when cleaning surfaces
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“Routine practices”
Replaces “universal precautions” Recommended behaviours designed to limit transmission of disease - now accepted care for all clients IldhdhiIncludes hand hygiene, hazar d assessment related to client symptoms, screening for infectious diseases, risk level reduction through use of controls, cleaning of equipment and laundry, waste management, safe sharps handling and education
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Choosing disinfectants
Types of organisms Items or surface materials to be decontaminated Hazards to worker Corrosiveness Shelf life and required dilution Inactivating substances Cost
For more detailed information, see http://www.bccdc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/EAA94ACF-02A9-4CF0- BE47-3F5817A25669/0/InfectionControl_GF_DisinfectntSelectnGuidelines_nov0503.pdf
Training for biological hazards
Infection prevention and control program Infectious disease transmission and routes of entry Hazard identification and assessment of risk level Immunization information Use of disinfectants Proper use of PPE
Common PPE
Gloves Goggles/safety glasses Protective clothing Proper footwear Masks/respirators
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Using gloves properly Wear gloves when there is risk of contact with blood or body fluids. Wear gloves if you have cuts or lesions on your hands. Avoid latex gloves. Use the correct size. Inspect and discard damaged gloves. Change gloves between clients. Put on and take off gloves as per infection control standards. Dispose of gloves properly. Wash hands before using and after removing gloves. Do not wash and reuse disposable gloves.
Masks or Respirators?
OR
Surgical masks A surgical mask protects others from the airborne droplets you produce.
A surgical mask: Prevents you from spreading airborne droplets (e.g., spit and mucous) to others around you. Does not seal tightly to your face, and is not designed to filter particulates from the air you breathe. May have a moisture barrier to reduce the risk that splashes of body fluids will reach your nose or mouth. Is used to protect people around you. Is NOT a respirator.
Drawing and text from the Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia retrieved from http://www2.worksafebc.com/pdfs/healthcare/surgical_masks.pdf
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Respirators A disposable respirator protects you from breathing particulate hazards including airborne viruses and bacteria.
A disposable respirator: Protects you from breathing in particulates, including infectious viruses and bacteria. Seals tiggyhtly to your face so that inhaled air is drawn through the filter. Requires a “fit test” to ensure that it will seal properly to your face . Has a NIOSH rating printed on the mask (typically “N95”). Has two straps – one that fits behind the head, the other behind the neck – and may have an external exhalation valve.
Drawing and text from the Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia retrieved from http://www2.worksafebc.com/pdfs/healthcare/surgical_masks.pdf
What can you do to prevent exposures to biological hazards? Participate in the hazard identification and assessment process. Become educated and aware of biological hazards and controls, including all infection control procedures. Assess the risk level related to individual clients and tktake appropri itate precauti ons. Become immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases. Regularly clean and decontaminate all work surfaces and equipment. Wear all required PPE properly. Stay home if you have an infectious disease.
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