In general, occupational groups with increased risk include workers such as dentists, nurses, and laboratory personnel who are repeatedly exposed to human blood and who are at risk of needlestick injuries. The risk of hepatitis C can be significantly reduced by implementing infection control guidelines suitable for the specific workplace. Infection control precautions are the first line of defense to protect workers from this virus and other blood-borne diseases. Originally developed for hospitals, universal precautions have been adapted to a wide range of workplaces. They apply to all situations where workers have risk of exposure to blood or certain body fluids, including semen vaginal secretions synovial fluid cerebrospinal fluid pleural fluid peritoneal fluid pericardial fluid amniotic fluid.
Universal precautions are to be used in conjunction with other control measures.
An example is washing hands whenever gloves are removed or whenever the skin contacts potentially infectious fluids. Universal precautions recommend the use of engineering controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment to suit the specific task and workplace. Engineering controls include the use of equipment to isolate or contain the hazard, such as puncture-resistant containers for disposing of used sharps, or biological cabinets for certain procedures in laboratories. Safe work practices are required for all tasks involving possible exposure to blood or certain body fluids. Personal protective equipment provides a barrier to blood and certain body fluids.