Hygiene

Good hygiene is important in preventing infection by means other than sharps injury. Employers must provide hand washing facilities for employees. If this is not feasible (for instance, if the worker is operating out of an ambulance or police car), antiseptic hand sanitizer and clean cloths or paper towels must be provided. If employees must use this second option, they still must wash their hands with soap and water as soon as possible.

Employees must wash or sanitize their hands as soon as possible after they remove their gloves or other personal protective equipment. This helps prevent the spread of contamination from the personal protective equipment to the hands, and from the hands to other, more vulnerable areas such as the eyes, mouth, open sores, or broken skin.

If an employee's skin comes in contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials, the employee must wash the area as soon as feasible. If blood or OPIM comes in contact with the mucous membrane of the employee's eyes, nose, or mouth, the employee must flush the area with water immediately, or at least as soon as possible, to minimize exposure.

To learn more about Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens visit our Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Online Training web page.