Infections at work

First things first: what are infections at work? They can be described as exposure to unsafe microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc., named biological agents in safety and health legislation. By becoming exposed to those microorganisms, you may be harmed by their toxins. Those microorganisms can be found everywhere in the natural environment, most of which are harmless to humankind and can benefit us in many ways. However, some are harmful and can cause diseases and severe infections.

Infection transmission

Infectious agents can be transmitted in several ways, including:

• Coughing or sneezing releases airborne pathogens, which are then inhaled by others.

• Touching contaminated objects or eating contaminated food

• Pathogens in a person's faeces may be spread to food or other objects if their hands are dirty.

• Pathogens in saliva, urine, faeces, or blood can be transferred to another person's body through cuts, abrasions, or mucus membranes of the mouth and eyes.

Most of the work environment that includes working with microorganisms (such as laboratories, healthcare, farmers, etc.) have HSE as a regulatory body and strict rules to follow to prevent the spreading of said microorganisms.

With that being said, what can we do to prevent infections at work?

1. Identify the hazards

2. Assess the risks

3. Control de-risks

These 3 are the responsibility of the employer. Your work environment should have security lines for infections, especially since COVID has become a thing. If there are no workplace infections and health security guidelines, you should try speaking with a supervisor to implement one. Safety guidelines are vital in controlling the spread of diseases at work.

On the other hand, there are personal things you can also do to prevent it:

1. Personal hygiene practices include hand hygiene (washing it thoroughly), skin integrity and not sharing personal items, such as combs, brushes, razors, toothbrushes, etc.

2. Cleanliness inside the workplace, minimising clutter and maintaining your area clean and organised

3. Respiratory etiquette includes covering your sneezes and coughs with a tissue or your arm, disposing of correctly contaminated tissues, and disinfecting your hands whenever necessary.