Posted By Salus
Skooter her is some info I gave to some maintenance employees who work in derelict properties,
Blood born viruses information and procedures if needles or other sharps are discovered while working
The advice given below is instruction and information for all employees.
Blood Borne Viruses = BBV’s
What are blood born viruses?
BBV’s are viruses that some people carry in their blood and which may cause severe disease in certain people and a few or no symptoms in others. The virus can spread to another person whether the carrier of the virus is ill or not.
The main BBV’s of concern are;
• Hepatitis “B” virus
• Hepatitis “C” virus
• Hepatitis “D” virus
• Human immunodeficiency virus, (HIV, which causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS)
These viruses can be found in other body fluids other than blood, for example, urine, faeces, saliva, sputum, sweat, tears, and vomit, carry a minimal risk of infection, unless they are contaminated with blood.
Types of occupations and work where there may be contact with BBV’S
Persons at Risk Risk Areas
Maintenance operatives Toilets / urinals
Sewage and cleaning operatives Refuse sacks
Plumbers Litter bins
Void clearance operatives Empty, derelict or disused properties
Carpenters Discarded furniture
Painters & decorators Parks
First aiders Public playgrounds
Area office employees Hostels
Drains
In areas of work where sharps are likely, to be present check for signs of discarded needles or other signs of drug abuse.
• Before moving items or clearing empty properties carry out a visual search for any signs of drug abuse
• Use a torch to check around the back of toilets and inside urinals / plug holes
• Check in between floorboards
• Be very careful if you pull old furniture out, check around, underneath and between cushions with a stick or screwdriver.
• Do not use your fingers or hands to clear blocked plug holes in sinks or baths.
How can BBV’s be spread in the work place
It is very unlikely that you will become infected through everyday social contact with another worker who has BBV. BBV’s are mainly transmitted sexually or by direct exposure to infected blood or other body fluids contaminated with infected blood.
In the work place, direct exposure can happen through accidental contamination by a needle or other sharp instrument. Infected blood may also spread through contamination of open wounds, skin abrasions skin damage due to eczema or through splashes to the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Preventing or controlling the risk
• Do not eat drink or smoke in work areas where there is a risk of contamination.
• Prevent puncture wounds, cuts and abrasions especially in the presence of blood and body fluids.
• Cover all breaks in exposed skin with waterproof dressings.
• Where there may be splashing, use eye protection and a mask or a face shield.
• Use basic good hygiene practices, such as hand washing.
• Clean off all equipment used to retrieve the needle or sharp with a strong bleach or Jeyes fluid,(just pour over the equipment)
• .Use the litter pickers or pliers provided to pick up the needle or sharp
• Drop the needle or sharp into the sharps box provided.
Immunisation
Immunisation is available for Hepatitis blood viruses but not other BBV’s.
Decontamination Procedures
HIV can remain infectious in dried blood and liquid blood for several weeks and HBV’s stay active for even longer. If equipment becomes contaminated then it needs to be decontaminated by applying strong bleach or Jeyes fluid to the equipment.
Disposal of waste
THIS NEEDS TO BE REVEIWED
Certain waste is classified as clinical waste and is collected by the --------- at agreed intervals form the ------ in the form of the sharps box.
The sharps box is kept --------------.
Reporting Incidents
Under the requirements of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences 1995, all employees have a legal duty of care to report certain incidents and dangerous occurrences.
Incidents such as a puncture wound from a needle known to contain blood contaminated with a BBV should be reported to the Health and Safety Executive as a dangerous occurrence
What do I do as an employee
You have a legal duty to take care of your own health, safety, and that of others who may be affected by your acts or omissions.
Read and follow the procedures for dealing with the discovery of needles or other sharps
Read the risk assessment for the above, see your line manager or supervisor.
Wear and use the protective equipment provided by your employer
Action after possible infection with a blood born virus
If you are contaminated with blood or other body fluids, take the following action,
• Wash any splashes off your skin.
• If the skin is broken, allow the wound to bleed.
• Do not suck the wound.
• Rinse the wound under running water.
• Wash out splashes to the eyes with an eye wash bottle, and rinse out your mouth or nose. with tap water, do not swallow the water.
• Record the source of the contamination by informing your line manager or supervisor.
• Contact your doctor and the accident and emergency department at your nearest Hospital.
Procedure for the Discovery of Hypodermic needles or other Sharps
If when working you discover a sharp or needle
• Do not make any attempt to pick up the object.
• Stop work immediately.
• Contact your line manager or supervisor immediately.
• The line manager or supervisor to contact Health & Safety
• The line manager / supervisor or operative to obtain the litter picker / pliers and sharps box and go to the work area or get an external contractor to carry out the work.
• A nominated person or contractor to pick up the needle or other sharp with the litter picker while wearing gloves and place into the sharps box.
• Return the litter picker and sharps box to the ---- and secure in the sharps cabinet.
• Return the sharps cabinet key to the responsible person.
read through and check facts first to satisfy yourself that it is competent advice, most came from HSE guidance.
You can sometimes get employees GP's surgery to carry immunisation for free, may not be the case now.Just issue all who require it on your companys letterheaded paper.
Up to you whether you go the immunisation route.
HTH