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Toolbox Talk – Infectious Diseases
Our weekly Toolbox Talk topic is Infectious Diseases. Preventing the spread of infectious diseases, which is crucial to keeping workers safe and healthy, both at work and when they return home to their families. Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
The ways in which diseases spread can vary. Some, like AIDS and Hepatitis, are transmitted through saliva-to-blood or blood-to-blood contact, while others, such as influenza, spread through airborne germs. The primary methods of disease transmission include:
- Airborne droplets (e.g., from sneezing) or tiny aerosolised particles
- Contact with contaminated surfaces followed by touching the mouth
- Skin-to-skin or mucus membrane contact (thin, moist linings in areas like the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals)
- Contact with blood or bodily fluids (e.g., urine, saliva)
Infectious diseases can spread through direct contact between people or indirectly through contaminated objects in the environment, such as door handles, magazines, or toilets. It’s also possible for someone to carry and spread a disease without being aware of it.
Universal Precautions
Since many infectious diseases are invisible and easily contracted, it’s important to take precautions, especially when there is a risk of exposure to bodily fluids (e.g., administering first aid).
The following universal precautions can help reduce the spread and risk of contracting an infectious disease:
- Wash hands frequently, especially before eating or after using the restroom.
- Stay home if you’re sick to avoid spreading illness to others.
- Use a tissue or cough/sneeze into your arm, not your hands. Dispose of tissues immediately.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, as germs can enter the body through mucus membranes.
- Wear personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, face masks, or protective eyewear, when administering first aid.
- Regularly clean commonly touched surfaces, such as lunch tables, toilets, and microwave handles.
- Ensure shared PPE (like respirators or face shields) is properly cleaned and disinfected according to manufacturer guidelines and regulatory requirements.
Download the full Toolbox Talk document on Infectious below: