Selection of chemicals for disinfection and sterilization when BA is a contaminant of concern depend on the situation: This creates the potential for BA transmission from contaminated environmental surfaces or fomites (objects that can spread germs) and the need for effective cleaning and decontamination strategies. World Health Organization (WHO) (2009).īA is persistent in the environment for long periods of time, and small particles can stay suspended in the air or be re-aerosolized by agitation and air currents within buildings and other environments. Perform hand hygiene after performing any job task with the potential for BA contamination, including contact with contaminated material that may contain BA spores, and before putting on and promptly after removal of PPE, including gloves.ġ WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care: First Global Patient Safety Challenge Clean Care Is Safer Care. 1 The effectiveness of washing hands with soap and water is likely due to the mechanical friction involved when rubbing the hands together. atrophaeus (a surrogate or stand-in germ used in experiments where it is unsafe to test for BA directly) on hands, while alcohol-based hand rubs do not. ![]() The World Health Organization's (WHO) Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Healthcare suggest that washing hands with either non-antimicrobial soap or antimicrobial soap and water reduced the amount of B. Keeping cuts and abrasions covered with bandages will also help prevent BA spores from entering those wounds. Hand hygiene consists of washing with soap and water. Practice good hand hygiene protocols to avoid exposure resulting from touching contaminated objects or other contaminated environmental surfaces. Standard precautions also include safe waste management and cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment. Standard precautions include hand hygiene and use of appropriate PPE to avoid direct contact with BA. General Guidance for Workers at Risk of BA Exposure Due to Specific Work Tasksįollow good infection control practices (e.g., standard precautions) for preventing contact with BA. In addition to the guidance provided for general businesses, this page provides specific information for categories of workers OSHA has identified as having a higher risk of exposure to BA. The OSHA Biological Agents Safety and Health Topics page also provides information for emergency response and clean-up workers. OSHA's HAZWOPER Safety and Health Topics page explains requirements of the OSHA HAZWOPER standard, including required worker training. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has promulgated a standard applying OSHA's HAZWOPER standard to state and local government workers in states where there is no OSHA-approved State Plan. Instruction CPL 02-02-073 describes OSHA enforcement procedures under the relevant provisions of the HAZWOPER standard. This may include emergency response following an anthrax incident.
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