To minimize the chances of accidental exposure:
- Always wear gloves when giving first aid for wounds.
- Allow students to cleanse their own bloody wounds when possible.
- Wash hands as soon as possible after removal of gloves or other personal protective clothing or equipment.
- Immediately wash hands after accidental contact with blood or body fluids.
- Wear protective equipment if splattering of body fluids is anticipated.
- Call the custodian to clean up body fluids.
- Wear gloves when emptying waste receptacles.
- Double bag all body fluid waste material.
- If the waste contains dried blood or body fluids use leak proof plastic bags and place in the regular garbage.
- If bloody waste is liquid or semi-liquid, it must be disposed of in a red plastic bag and then placed in a Bio-Medical box for special disposal. Contact your custodian for special disposal.
- Clean contaminated surfaces by first removing visible blood, then disinfect with Virustat 128 (available through your school custodian) or a solution of 1 part household bleach to 10 parts cool water for at least 10 minutes. This solution must be less than 24 hours old.
- Do not pick up broken glass directly with the hands.
- Dispose of sharps (hypodermics, needles, lancets, scalpel blades, etc.) in color-coded, leak proof and puncture resistant containers. When these boxes are full, they must be disposed of in a special bio-medical box. Call your school nurse if you need assistance.
- Don’t eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics or lip balm or handle contact lenses in locations where there is a likelihood that an occupational exposure could occur. For example, the health-room.
- Never share razors or toothbrushes.
