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Biological Hazards						Print
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										*Biological hazards* are disease producing agents (pathogens) that can be transmitted to individuals through various routes of exposure (modes of transmission). Exposure to these hazards may result in acute or chronic health conditions.**Examples of Pathogens and Common Modes of Transmission**Blood and body fluids
	Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)Fecal-Oral
	Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV)Contact
	Herpes Simplex Viruses (HSV)
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE)
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)Small particle aerosol (airborne)
	Mycobacterium TuberculosisMore than one mode: contact, and/or droplet spray, and/or small particle aerosol
	Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
Herpes Zoster Virus (HZV)
Influenza virus (Flu)
Measles (Rubeola virus)Modes of Transmission
	The modes of transmission depend on where the microbe resides (the source/reservoir) and how it exits the source/reservoir (Association for Professionals in Infection Control, 2016; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006/2012).Components to the mode of transmission are called the chain of infection.PreviousNext
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  June 10, 2022						Source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
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        Syndicate homeSafety Culture in Healthcare Settings
Training Informationplus icon
Introduction
Module 1: Safety Cultureplus icon
Why a Culture of Safety is Important
The Sociotechnical Model
Definition Examples of Safety Culture and Overlap with Safety Climate
Key Attributes and Joint Benefits of Safety Culture
Common Features of Positive Healthcare Worker Safety Culture
General Measurable Elements of a Safety Culture
Tools to Measure Safety Culture and Climate
A Snapshot of Safety Culture in U.S. Hospitals
References
Quiz 1Module 2: Work-Related Risks and Hazardsplus icon
Biological Hazardsplus icon
Chain of Infection Components
Risk Factors of Biological Agents and Unsafe Practices
Chemical Hazards
Enviromechanical Hazards
Physical Hazards
Psychosocial Hazards
Hazard Assessment/Determination
Case Study
References
Quiz 2Module 3: Prevention and Control of Work-Related Injury and Illnessplus icon
Hierarchy of Controls
Elimination: Physically Remove the Hazard
Substitution and Engineering Controls
Administrative Controls: Change the Way People Work
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Protect the Worker with PPE
Donning and Doffing PPE: Proper Wearing, Removal, and Disposal
References
Quiz 3Module 4: Leadership and Safe Work Environmentsplus icon
Commitment to Workplace Safety as High Priority and Through Role Modeling
Policies and Procedures and Safe Patient Handling
Hazard Analysis and Safe Staffing Workloads
State-of-the-Art Training and Handling Patients
Engage Healthcare Worker Champions and Observe Work
Transparency, Training, and Staff Safety Rounds
References
Quiz 4Module 5: Legal-Ethical Considerations to Promote Safe Working Conditionsplus icon
The Occupational Safety and Health Act and OSHA Standards
OSHA Healthcare Standards
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard and OSHA Guidelines
What Workers Can Do
Ethics and Healthcare Worker Exposure Considerations
Ethical Principles
References
Quiz 5Safety Culture in Healthcare Settings: Resources Follow NIOSH Facebook
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Workplace Safety & Health Topics
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