The new bio-hazard - are you compliant?

Handling and disposal of bodily fluids is part of several areas of work. While general awareness about the potential risks related to handling bodily fluids has been growing, there have been several key developments recently.

The recent release of the NOHCS policy for handling and disposal of infectious bodily fluid spills has changed the way the industry looks at these spills.

As part of the new policy, these spills must now be treated as contaminated waste and procedures must be in place to ensure worker health and safety wherever applicable. This change takes effect in each state and territory's codes of practice and/or advisory standards.

From a prevention and safety point of view, it means bodily fluids will be treated as a bio-hazard, quite like hazardous chemicals. All bodily fluids should be considered potentially infectious, especially in a spill situation where the risk of exposure and/or contact is extremely high. If work* involves dealing with bodily fluids, staff safety is paramount.

Changes in legislation bring the use and quality of kits used to protect people handling potentially infectious waste into sharper focus. While there are several options available in the market, discerning buyers will do well to make sure they buy kits that have been approved by the relevant authorities.

The risk of contracting potentially fatal diseases from blood products, tissue and body fluids, has always been high. Blood-borne pathogens are disease-producing organisms that can be carried in human blood and certain other body fluids. They can be spread from one person to another through needles and non-intact skin contact. This can lead to the contraction of serious blood-borne diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. There are many other blood-borne diseases that can be contracted in the same way, including Malaria and Syphilis. Along with blood, other bodily secretions have also been known to infect people involved in handling and disposing them.

The policy is directed at both workers and non-workers, in the workplace and anyone working in environments where body fluids are likely to be spilled - hotels, sports environment, etc., is always at risk.

If the problem has come under new focus, so has the solution. Understandably, this tightening of regulation will also affect the industry's view of preventative measures, mainly the choice of safety kits used to control, manage and dispose the spill. The kits now must comply with specific guidelines to be used in case of bodily fluid spill. To help prevent the occupational spread of diseases, facilities should have a program in place not only to clean up, but to properly dispose of materials, such as blood and other bodily fluids, needles and other blood-contaminated sharp items and items contaminated with blood and body fluid spills.

A program developed by GSSM complies with all the criteria set out in the new legislation, performing all required functions such as the following:

• Provides medical examination quality protective apparel for staff
• Uses only 100% natural, non-toxic powder absorbent
• Uses powder which absorbs odour, as well as coagulating the spill
• Provides equipment to clean up the spill
• Provides equipment to allow disposal as clinical waste

As a complete package, Zeomed offers the Super Fabric needle stick (puncture) resistant gloves. Super Fabric gloves are flexible, washable, comfortable and provide super protection.

"We at GSSM have the advantage of being in total control," said Dennis Mahony of GSSM. "We are involved in the entire manufacture and supply chain of our products, so all materials used are traceable to ensure the highest level of quality control. As a result, substitute standard materials cannot come into the process."

*The main industries include: health care workers, correctional workers, dental staff, laundry workers, emergency medical responders, funeral service staff, cosmetologists, lab workers, hotel/motel housekeeping staff, nursing home workers, home care workers, first aid givers, hospice care workers, bus drivers, food service workers, medical equipment technicians, hospital housekeeping, taxi drivers or anyone who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids while doing their job.