Rev.

Feb 2012
Bl oodbor n e pat h ogen s ar e
microorganisms in the blood or other
bodily fluids that can cause illness and
disease in people including Hepatitis
B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS. These
microorganisms can be transmitted
through contact with contaminated
blood and other body fluids including
semen and breast milk.
It is impossible to tell if blood or
bodily fluids contain bloodborne
pathogens without the use of special
medical equipment. Therefore, you
should treat all bodily fluids as if they
were infectious and avoid exposure.
This is referred to as taking Universal
Precautions.
Exposure occurs when an infectious
bodily fluid has a direct route of
entry into the body. This includes
splashes into the eyes, nose or throat,
contact with cuts, scrapes, and
dermatitis or a puncture of the skin
with a contaminated sharp object. To
help protect yourself from exposure
to bloodborne pathogens, the
following steps should be taken:
1. When working with or cleaning up
bodily fluids, always wear
Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE). PPE is designed to create a
physical barrier between you and
the hazard, in this case bodily
fluids. The typical PPE used when
cleaning up bodily fluids includes
rubber gloves, masks, aprons and
goggles.
2. Typical hotel locations in which
bodily fluids could be encountered
i ncl ude: beddi ng, t owel s ,
bathrooms, trash-cans & bags and
the site of an employee or guest
injury. If you discover bodily
fluids and have not been trained
on how to properly clean the
area, seal off the area and
contact your supervisor.
3. Sanitize contaminated hard surfaces
using a solution of 10% bleach and
water. Bleach and water will
decontaminate most of the equipment
found in the hotels. This is the
p r e f e r r e d m e t h o d f o r
decontamination because it does not
expose the employee to harsh
chemicals and they are readily
available.
4. Special care should be taken when
working with or disposing of needles,
razors, broken glass and other sharp
objects. Unfortunately these items may
be carelessly thrown away and end
up in the trash or hidden in seat
cushions or bedding. Always be
careful to look before you reach.
Never place your hand into a trash
container or compact trash with your
hands or feet. When carrying trash
bags, be careful to carry them away
from your body and do not let them
rub up against your legs.
5. When disposing of sharp objects such
as hypodermic needles, razor blades
or broken glass, always place them in
a suitable puncture resistant container
called a Sharps container.
6. Wash your hands immediately after
removal of gloves or PPE. You should
wash areas which came in contact with
blood or other potentially infectious
material immediately with soap and
water. The hotel should have
locations within the hotel that have an
adequate supply of running water,
soap, single use towels or hot air
drying machines.
7. If you come in physical contact with
bodily fluids, immediately and
thoroughly wash the exposed area
with soap and water. Immediately
report all exposure incidents to your
supervisor.
BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS
Target Audience
All Employees

Questions, Comments & Suggestions
Contact Risk Management Training at
risktraining@ihg.com

Training Tip:
Display the
Personal
Protective
Equipment (PPE)
the hotel has
and show how to
use them
properly.
Have a Sharps
container
available and
go over the
proper
procedures
involved in the
disposal of
sharp objects.
1
0

M
I
N
U
T
E

S
A
F
E
T
Y

T
R
A
I
N
E
R

This program is designed to
introduce employees to the
need and importance of
protecting themselves from
bloodborne pathogen
exposures in the workplace.
212

Rev. Feb 2012
1. Bloodborne Pathogens are ____ that can get
into the blood and cause disease.
A. Animals.
B. Plants.
C. Microorganisms.

2. It is easy to tell if bodily fluids contain a
bloodborne pathogen.
A. True
B. False

3. An exposure occurs when:
A. Someone at work has a cold.
B. A coworker has a nosebleed.
C. Bodily fluids find a direct route of entry
into the body.

4. Which of the following is considered a route of
entry into the bloodstream?
A. Eyes, nose and throat.
B. Cuts, scrapes and dermatitis.
C. Puncturing the skin by a sharp object
D. All of the above.
Page 2
Quiz
When you have completed this quiz, turn it in to your supervisor.

Name:

Date:
212 - Bloodborne Pathogens
5. Taking Universal Precautions means treating
all bodily fluids as if they were infectious.
A. True.
B. False.

6. Universal Precautions does not require the use
of PPE.
A. True.
B. False.

7. Potentially infectious bodily fluids can some-
times be found in:
A. Trashcans & bags
B. Linen & bedding
C. Towels
D. All of the above

8. How do you avoid potentially infected sharp
objects?
A. Carry trash bags away from your body.
B. Never compact trash with your hands.
C. Never reach into a trash can.
D. All of the above.

Rev. Feb 2012
1. (c) Microorganisms.
2. (b) False. The only way to tell if a bodily fluid is infected is to have it analyzed by a medical
professional.
3. (c) A direct route of entry into the body.
4. (d) All of the above. The eyes, nose, throat, cuts, scrapes, dermatitis, and puncturing of the skin
by a contaminated sharp object are all considered direct routes of entry into the bloodstream.
5. (a) True. Taking Universal Precautions means treating all bodily fluids as if they were
infectious.
6. (b) False. Universal Precautions requires the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to
prevent exposure.
7. (d) All of the above. Trashcans & bags, linen, bedding and towels are all locations in which
bloodborne pathogens could potentially be found.
8. (d) All of the above. Carry trash bags away from your body and never compact trash with
your hands or reach into a trash can.
Page 3
Quiz Answers
212 - Bloodborne Pathogens

Rev. Feb 2012
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms in the blood or other body fluids that can cause illness and
disease in people including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS. These microorganisms can be
transmitted through contact with contaminated blood and other bodily fluids including semen and breast
milk. It is impossible to tell if blood or bodily fluids contain bloodborne pathogens without the use of
special medical equipment. Therefore, you should treat all bodily fluids as if they were infectious and
avoid exposure. This is referred to as taking Universal Precautions.

Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling any potentially infected blood
or bodily fluids.
If you discover bodily fluids and have not been trained on how to properly clean the
area, seal off the area and contact your supervisor.
Special care should be taken when working with or disposing of needles, razors,
broken glass and other sharp objects.
Wash hands and any other exposed body parts immediately after any contact with
blood or any other potentially infectious fluids.
Page 4
Safety Summary - Bloodborne
Pathogens
212 - Bloodborne Pathogens

Rev. Feb 2012






















Employee Sign-Off
212 - Bloodborne Pathogens


Date


Hotel


Training Facilitator
Page 5

I agree to observe and follow the working practices described to me in this training. I understand that if I have
any further questions regarding this program or any safety issue, I should ask my supervisor.