The hazard
Colds, flu and other viruses spread fast when people work close together, share tools and trucks, and eat in the same break area. When a bug goes around, people feel miserable, work falls behind and whoever is left picks up the slack.
The action
Giving first aid, cleaning up after an injury or handling used needles can expose you to blood. OSHA's general industry bloodborne pathogens standard requires universal precautions, which means treating all human blood and certain body fluids as if they are infectious (29 CFR 1910.1030(b) and (d)(1)). If that exposure is part of your job, your employer must train you, provide protective equipment such as gloves at no cost and make the hepatitis B vaccine available (29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(i), (d)(3)(i) and (f)(1)(i)). Wash your hands immediately or as soon as feasible after you take off your gloves (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(v)). (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(1))
ASK THE CREW
Where can we wash our hands on this job, and is there always soap and something to dry with?
From the talk: Infection control at work. Read it in full, free, with the questions and the sign-in sheet.