The tubes are used for collection of blood in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, physicians' offices, blood donation facilities, and blood testing centers. Accidental breakage of the tubes has been reported when the tubes are inserted into putty for sealing and during centrifugation, the advisory said.
Blood can spatter, potentially exposing personnel to bloodborne pathogens.
The broken glass fragments also can injure the user, resulting in exposure to blood. Breakage during use may result in a penetrating wound and blood inoculation to the user. Among other things, proper work practices, such as those involving housekeeping, regulated waste, and the use of gloves are governed by the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard. Information on this news release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request.