Work practice controls are practices that reduce the risk of exposure, altering the way in which a task is performed to make it safer. There is also a need to implement certain work practices controls/procedures to make effective use of the engineering controls available. Wherever there is a risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), these restrictions apply:
- No smoking
- No eating or drinking
- No applying cosmetics or lip balm
- No handling contact lenses
- Food and beverages cannot be kept in refrigerators, freezers, shelves, cabinets, or countertops where blood or OPIM are present.
- No mouth pipetting
Additional work practice controls include:
- Enforcing hand washing procedures following the removal of gloves
- Restricting access to only authorized personnel (eg, surgical areas, laboratory, pathology)
- Creating a neutral zone in surgery
- Decontaminating equipment before servicing
- Enforcing a single hand method to activate needle safety shields
