HAZWOPER

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HAZWOPER

• Biological Hazards

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HAZWOPER

• Pathogens
• Biological organisms capable of causing disease
• via infection
• via transmission
• Bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, chlamydia
• Sources include research laboratories and
  hospitals

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HAZWOPER

• Pathogens (cont.)
• Contagious (person-to-person), airborne,
  waterborne, foodborne
• Generally, microbes (in the vegetative state) do
  not survive the atmosphere
• Spores may be formed by certain bacteria and fungi

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HAZWOPER

• Waste may be labeled various ways to indicate
  biological hazards
• Biomedical Material
• Biohazard
• Etiologic Agent
• Infectious Substance
• At hospitals and laboratories, such wastes must
  be incinerated or autoclaved. Prior to that
  treatment, it is packaged in appropriate bags.

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HAZWOPER

• Bloodborne Diseases
• Addressed by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030, requiring the
  employer to establish a written Exposure Control
  Program
• Universal Precautions, meaning that all human
  blood and certain human body fluids are treated
  as if known to be infectious
• Work Practice Controls (including PPE) that
  minimize or eliminate employee exposure

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HAZWOPER

• Engineering Controls, as sharps disposal
  containers and self-sheathing needles
• Handwashing Facilities, to ensure good
  sanitation
• Other measures Hepatitis B vaccinations for
  employees at risk exposure evaluation and
  follow-up hazardous material communication, such
  as biohazard labels employee training and
  confidential employee medical record-keeping

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HAZWOPER

• Specific Pathogens
• Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
• Infects the liver
• May cause cirrhosis, liver cancer, or chronic
  liver disease
• Some people may become carriers, not showing
  symptoms
• May exist on surfaces outside body for up to 1
  month

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HAZWOPER

• Specific Pathogens (cont.)
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Etiological agent of AIDS
• Breaks down bodys immune system, reducing its
  ability to fight disease
• Early symptoms are fever, loss of appetite,
  weight loss, chronic fatigue, and skin rashes.
  Later, cancer or infections, such as pneumonia.

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HAZWOPER

• HIV (Cont.)
• Transmission
• Blood
• Semen
• Vaginal secretions
• Fluids surrounding internal organs and joints
• Amniotic fluid
• Saliva

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HAZWOPER

• HIV (Cont.)
• Behavior risks
• Sexual contact with infected partner
• Shared drug needles
• Accidental cuts or sticks from infected sharps
• Direct contact between broken or chaffed skin and
  blood/body fluids
• Direct contact between mucous membranes and
  blood/body fluids

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HAZWOPER

• Common Sense Rules
• Do not clean up blood or body fluids without
  proper training.
• Know what to do BEFORE an emergency occurs.
• Be sure to wash hands and remove any PPE before
  eating, drinking, etc.
• Report any suspected exposure to health and
  safety officer.

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HAZWOPER

• Other Hazards
• Dangerous metabolic compounds resulting from
  biologic activity, e.g., methane and vinyl
  chloride from landfills
• Plants, as poison ivy
• Biting/venomous insects and arachnids
• Snake and animal bites