Preventive measures

Prevention is the best method to avoid diseases due to biological factors. A risk assessment is important in prevention planning. If control of the biological factor cannot be achieved at the source, an attempt should be made to reduce the exposure by, for instance, ventilation, or interrupting the path of exposure between the biological factor and the worker, for instance by using personal protective equipment.
Also, rules and regulations are often of great importance for implementing preventive actions. An example of this is a political resolution to end tuberculosis, adopted by the United Nation General Assembly 26th September 2018 (see the UN logo in the photo above). Tuberculosis is a problem for several occupational Groups; miners as well as health personnel, and the resolution will be of importance for many workers. You can read more about this process here: UN General Assembly high-level meeting on ending TB

In the following text, we will give other examples of preventive actions for work-related infectious diseases. During the fourth week of this course you will learn about prevention of respiratory diseases that can be caused by biological factors.

Hand hygiene

During a normal working day, the hands will be contaminated with several bacteria and other infectious agents from contact with other humans, infected surfaces, foods or animals. Hand hygiene is the most effective intervention to reduce transmission of infections and resistant germs, and hence of utmost importance in the prevention of infectious diseases. This is especially true in health care services due to clinical encounters with patients who have different kinds of infections, but it is also true in other settings where workers are exposed to infectious agents.

Hand wash is an easy and effective method to prevent infections. ^{© G. Tjalvin}

The hands should always be washed:

• After being on the toilet
• After contact with animals or waste
• Before preparing food and after
• Before eating food
• Before and after treating wounds
• Before and after contact with sick or persons
• After staying in large public areas like airports, train and bus stations, playgrounds and restaurants.
• After work.

Personal protective equipment

Gloves protect the hands from infectious agents. ^{© University of Bergen/Frode Ims}

Surgeons using gloves, medical mask and eye protection to protect themselves from contagious agents during surgery. ^{© Colourbox}

The white uniforms are protecting the workers. ^{© G. Tjalvin}

Development of safe work practices for handling needles and other sharp devices is important to avoid needle stick injuries. ^{© University of Bergen/Frode Ims}

Preventing needle sticks

• Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water
• Wash the area with alcohol based cleaning agent (subject of debate)
• In case of known or suspected blood borne disease specific measures are needed:
  • Take a blood sample from the patient with the suspected infectious disease
  • Take a blood sample of the person with the accident as soon as possible, follow this with a new blood sample after 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months.
• Report the accident to the employer through the given routines.

Used needles and other contaminated, sharp objects should be discarded safely in a box like this. ^{© G. Tjalvin}