General Safety Practices

Employers must offer tailored, site-specific training to their employees to ensure that employees are aware of the hazards present at their jobsite and how to protect themselves from exposure. In general, strict adherence to safety practices can help reduce the risk for exposure in workplace settings where blood-borne pathogens may be present. Employees should be well-informed of the following practices:

• Apply proper labels to containers of regulated waste; refrigerators and freezers containing blood or other potentially infectious material; and other containers used to store, transport, or ship blood or other potentially infectious materials.
• Always wear PPE in exposure situations, replace PPE that is torn or punctured, and remove PPE before leaving the work area.
• Remove clothing that is contaminated with blood or other hazardous bodily fluids as soon as possible, and place clothing in approved and labeled bags or containers.
• Wash hands or other exposed skin thoroughly immediately following an exposure incident.
• Never eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics, or handle contact lenses in areas where there is a reasonable likelihood of exposure.
• Thoroughly decontaminate and sterilize all surfaces, tools, equipment, and other objects that come in contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.
• Dispose of needles in labeled sharps containers.
• Report all suspected exposure incidents.

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