Handle and store hazardous materials safely.

Biohazardous infectious materials are usually found in a hospital, health care facility, laboratory, veterinary practices, and research facilities. Workers in these places do not usually know which tissues or fluids contain dangerous organisms. For this reason, the workers should assume that every sample is hazardous and use appropriate protection at all times. Materials in this hazard class should only be used or handled by workers who are appropriately trained, aware of the hazards, and how to control them. 

Control measures may include:

• Ventilation (e.g., negative pressure, separate ventilation system)
• Biosafety hoods or cabinets
• Ultra-violet lights for disinfection
• Disposal containers for needles and other sharps
• Self-sheathing needles and lancets
• Sterilization – using high heat, high pressure, or using biocides to kill bacteria
• Worker education and training
• Procedures for disinfection and clean up
• Vaccination, where possible
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) – respirators, gloves, protective clothing, glasses/goggles, face shields, shoe covers
• Personal hygiene, including hand wash and other good practices to reduce the spread of infections and viruses.

 Workers must follow the routine practices that are based on the premise that all blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, non-intact skin or soiled items are potentially infectious. These practices, while mainly adopted by healthcare providers, apply to all professions in which workers may become exposed to infectious microorganisms through contact with blood and body fluids. Examples of these professions include police officers, trauma/crime scene clean-up crew, zookeepers, laboratory technicians, and embalmers.

Good Luck!