First Responders: Encourage Your Workers to Report Bloodborne Pathogen Exposures

First responders are at risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Exposure incidents may occur through the following: needlesticks or cuts from sharp objects contaminated with another person's blood; or contact of the eyes, mouth, nose, or broken skin with blood or other potentially infectious body fluids. Some employees are reluctant to report exposure incidents. Encourage your employees to report all exposures. This way, you can carry out your responsibility to take appropriate post-exposure actions to protect your workers, their families, and the public against infection from bloodborne pathogens.