Get the Right PPE for Blood Borne Pathogen Protection
An occupational hazard in many jobs, infection from blood-borne pathogens is a potential danger that requires careful preparation for personal safety. Personal protective equipment (PPE) from Medco Supplies is your first line of defense in arming yourself against viruses such as HIV, Zika, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, SARS and COVID-19.
Any bodily fluid—such as blood, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, urine or vomit—could harbor unwanted infectious microorganisms that have the potential of transmitting serious diseases. That’s why you need to follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) standards for Transmission-based precautions (TBP) for blood-borne and airborne pathogen protection.
Choosing the Right PPE
It is important to choose PPE that provides a liquid barrier to fully protect yourself from infectious transmissions. Materials made out of SMS fabric are among the best for blood-borne pathogen protection. The final product from the spunbonded, meltblown, spunbonded (SMS) procedure is a fabric that is much less permeable than other manufactured fabrics. Also, polyethylene-coated polypropylene fabrics are excellent liquid barriers and are cost effective choices.
Cover your Bases
Your PPE lineup should cover you from head to toe. You will need to have PPE that includes masks that protect against airborne particles. Eye protection could be safety glasses with side shields or even better, a face shield. This combines with the mask to create a protective barrier for the eyes, nose, skin and mouth.
An SMS gown or coverall made from SMS or polyethylene-coated polypropylene fabric will provide the highest protection from liquid transmission.
Gloves should fit well and be snug around the wrists for better protection. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends employing the system of working from clean to dirty to keep your gloves in cleaner condition and so you are not transmitting unwanted pathogens to clean areas.
Finally, shoe covers will protect your shoes from unwanted transmissions of blood-borne pathogens.
Dispose of Used PPE
Proper doffing and disposal of PPE is as important as the clean gowning procedure. Make sure you follow safety guidelines to remove gloves inside out without touching the soiled side, take off gowns inside out, and properly remove masks and shoe covers. These items should all be placed in a marked disposal bin. If safety goggles or face masks are to be cleaned and reused, place them in the appropriate sealed bin.
Get your PPE today
Make sure you have the PPE you need to protect yourself against transmissions of viral pathogens in your day-to-day work. Contact us today for more information about shipping you PPE in small, medium or large quantities to ensure you have all the protection you need, readily available.
