First-Aid Safety Tip
Bloodborne pathogens are diseases that spread through contact with blood. The two major bloodborne pathogens are HIV and hepatitis viruses. Public health officials say that approximately 40,000 Americans become infected with HIV every year, and more than twice that number get hepatitis.
Although in a work setting people who work in health care are most at risk, anybody who administers first aid to a bleeding co-worker could be exposed. Even though the risk is small, why take the chance?
Say you and a co-worker are unloading supplies when she cuts herself with a box cutter and starts bleeding badly. What should you do to help your co-worker and protect yourself at the same time?
What to do:
- First, have someone call for medical assistance.
- Then, for your own safety, have your injured co-worker apply direct pressure to her wound until you can get gloves from the first-aid kit. Once you have gloves on, you can apply pressure yourself. Try to avoid getting blood on your clothes or skin. If there’s a danger of blood splashing into your eyes, put on safety glasses, too.
- Once the injured co-worker has been taken away for medical treatment, keep your gloves on and clean any spills carefully with a disinfectant.
- Remove blood-contaminated clothing carefully and wash your hands as well as any other exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water.