What makes the biological hazard so threatening

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Register Now. By implementing controls in the workplace, the risk of biological hazards can be greatly reduced and in some cases, eliminated completely.

Two types of controls that can be used to address biological hazards are administrative and engineering controls. Engineering controls reduce risk through physical means. Administrative controls reduce risk by changing work processes and activities to make them more safe. Some examples of administrative controls include allowing proper sick leave to employees, providing immunization programs, and limiting exposure to potential biological safety hazards and training staff to work safely around them.

Once administrative and engineering controls have been implemented, it is important to revise your safety strategy at least once a year and every time the workplace conditions change. For some workplaces, the changing of the seasons can affect these controls so it is important to regularly monitor the biological conditions that your employees are working in. Working alone makes people more vulnerable to biological safety hazards because they may not be able to seek help as quickly and as easily.

Additionally, some biological hazards are hard to identify. If the employee is working outside, there is an added risk for exposure to biological hazards. The risk of exposure is not always obvious. Safe Work Australia provides practical advice to help you identify and manage biological hazards: National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance: Exposure to biological hazards and the provision of controls against biological hazards in Australian workplaces Identify, assess and control hazards guidance, reports and case studies.

Animals and animal products People who work with live animals or animal products, such as blood, tissue, milk and eggs, are exposed to animal diseases and infections. Human bodily matter Workers in health care may be exposed to biological hazards through contact with human bodily matter, such as blood, tissue, saliva, mucus, urine and faeces. These substances have a high risk of containing viral or bacterial diseases.

Moulds and yeasts In some industries, exposure to moulds and yeasts is common. Organic material In the work environment, people may be exposed to rubbish, waste water and sewerage, plant materials, organic dusts and food. Courses on preventing injury at work We provide training through our learning management system called Comcare LMS.

Implementing and monitoring early intervention programs in the workplace. Digital learning Mode: Self-paced Cost: Free. Learn more. Workplace sexual harassment: Micro-learns.

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