Workers in many different occupations are at risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens, including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS. First aid team members, housekeeping personnel in some settings, nurses and other healthcare providers are examples of workers who may be at risk of exposure.

If you are stuck by a needle or other sharp or get blood or other potentially infectious materials in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on broken skin, immediately flood the exposed area with water and clean any wound with soap and water or a skin disinfectant if available. Report this immediately to your employer and seek immediate medical attention.

Universal Precautions to Prevent Transmission of blood borne diseases:

Wash your hands for 30 seconds after contact with blood and other body fluids contaminated with blood.

Wear disposable latex gloves when you encounter large amounts of blood, especially if you have open cuts or chapped skin. Wash your hands as soon as you remove your gloves.

Discard blood-stained material in a sealed plastic bag and place in a lined, covered garbage container.

Cover cuts or scratches with a bandage until healed.

Use disposable absorbent material like paper towels to stop bleeding.

Immediately clean up blood-soiled surfaces and disinfect with a fresh solution of one part bleach and nine parts water.

Put blood-stained laundry in sealed plastic bags. Machine-wash separately in hot soapy water.

NEVER DELAY EMERGENCY ACTION BECAUSE YOU CAN'T APPLY UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS. THE RISK OF TRANSMISSION OF BLOOD-BORNE DISEASES IS TOO SMALL TO JUSTIFY ENDANGERING A LIFE.