BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

Submitted to:- Submitted by:-

Mrs. Anjana Punia Prakram Charan

(072)

Prashant Sharma

(073)

CONTENTS

o Introduction

o Types of Biological Hazards

o How Biological Hazards Enter the Body

o How Biological Hazards are Spread

o Level of biological hazard

o Controlling Exposure to Biological Hazards

o Role of the Health and Safety Representative

o Some occupation and diseases

o Ebola virus

o Conclusion

INTODUCTION

Biological hazards, also known as biohazards, refer to biological substances that pose a threat to the health of living organism, especially that of humans. These hazards can be encountered anywhere in the environment, including home, school or work.The biohazard symbol was developed in 1966 by Charles Baldwin, an environmental-health engineer.

Types of Biological Hazards

Biological hazards can be put into different categories:-

o Bacteria :- microscopic organisms that live in soil, water or the

bodies of plants and animals and are characterized by lack of distinct

nucleus and the inability to photosynthesize. Examples are E Coli, TB,

and Tetanus.

o Viruses :- are a group of pathogens that consist mostly of nucleic

acids and that lack cellular structure. Viruses are totally dependent on

their hosts for replication. Examples are common cold, influenza,

measles, SARS, Hantavirus, and rabies

o Fungi :- any major group of lower plants that lack chlorophyll and

live on dead or other living organisms. Examples are mould, rust,

mildew, smut, yeast, and mushrooms.

How Do Biological Hazards Enter theBody?

Biological hazards can enter the body in many ways. When determining appropriate protective measures, measures are clear understanding of how it can enter the body.

o Inhalation through breathing.

o Absorption direct contact through breaks in the skin, even chapped skin, or through mucous membranes/contact with eyes, nose, mouth.

o Ingestion through swallowing.

o Injection through a puncture.

How Biological Hazard spread?

Biohazard Disease Spread Precaution/Control

Bacteria Pink eye Human to

human contact

Do not share eye makeup; wash

hands

Virus Hepatitis A Human to

human contact

Do not ingest contaminated

water or food; avoid direct

contact with infected person

Virus Hepatitis B Human to

human contact

Immunization; avoid contact

with infected people; avoid

tattooing and body piercing

dispose of sharps in disposal

container.

Virus Hepatitis C Human to

human contact

Avoid direct contact with infected

person; avoid tattooing and body

piercing; follow standard

precautions

Virus Measles Human to human

contact spread by cough

and nasal droplets

Immunization; avoid direct

contact with infected people

Levels of Biological Hazards

OCCUPATIONS AND DISEASES

Occupation Contact Source Disease

Dentist, nurses, volunteers

In hospital or health care

Patient’s blood,

Body fluids

Hepatitis, cold, flu

Child care worker,

Babysitter

Children’s body fluids,

such as runny nose,

dirty diapers, cuts

Colds, flu, eye

infections,

Head lice, meningitis

Food service industry Undercooked food Salmonella, e coli

Caretaking/cleaning/

Waste disposal personnel

Used needles, broken

glass

Hepatitis B,C, HIV

BIOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT

Controlling Exposure to Biological Hazards

There are three approaches to control hazards. The first

consideration for controlling biological hazards is to look at

engineering controls. If a hazard cannot be eliminated

through engineering methods a second approach to

controlling hazards is administrative. Then, if exposure to a

hazard cannot be prevented with either engineering or

administrative controls then PPE is necessary.

Engineering Controls:-

These controls are the first line of defense and include built in

protection in building, work areas, equipment or supplies.

Examples are:-

o Ventilation systems and construction seals to create negative

pressure rooms

o Bio-safety hoods, with specific ventilation systems

Administrative Controls:-

These controls are steps in work procedures or work processes that

minimize the risk of exposure to a hazard. This type if control does

not eliminate a hazard but can significantly reduces the risk of

injury. Examples are:-

o Worker training

o Rules that require regular hand washing

Personal Protective Equipment:-

o When a hazard poses a threat, even after engineering and administrative

controls have been implemented, then PPE is necessary. Then PPE

methods can protect you from biohazard.

o Some PPE measure that can protect you are

o a proper mask and latex gloves for biohazards

o eye protection

o For PPE to be effective it must be worn correctly and must be

comfortable and fitted for each person. Workers must be trained

properly so that it is worn when needed.

Personal ProtectionWearing of mask before curing the infected patient.

Proper disposal of waste .

Role of the Health and Safety Representative

o Your role is to work proactively to eliminate biological hazards from the workplace as much as possible and to educate workers about occupational hazards.

o Eliminating hazards from the work environment is always first choice for preventing disease.

o When hazards cannot be eliminated, they should be controlled. Workers should press management to introduce effective controls in the workplace such as engineering controls, administrative controls

o Pay attention to new workers and visitors. They are “newly exposed” to a workplace and can tell you if they have health problems only when they come into the workplace.

EBOLA VIRUS

o Ebola virus is a disease of humans and other primates caused by Ebola viruses.

o Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans.

o The average EVD case fatality rate is around 50%. Case fatality rates have varied from 25% to 90% in past outbreaks.

SYMPTOMS

o The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms is 2 to 21 days

o First symptoms are the sudden onset of fever fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat.

o This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding

Transmission of Ebola virus

EBOLA- A Threat

SYMPTOMS PRECAUTIONS

SATASTICS

Conclusion

Biological hazards are organisms or groups of organisms that may cause health issues to humans. These hazards are very dangerous and have to be taken seriously by employees and employers. There are many ways we can reduce our risk to these contaminants. Engineering controls, administrative controls, personal protective equipment, workplace hazardous materials information system and standard precautions are all ways to avoid risk to all levels of bio hazardous materials.