Clean lab work areas routinely. Any obvious blood spills, drips or smudges need to be cleaned immediately. Use only approved disinfectants or, as some agencies choose to use, a solution of 10% bleach. Be aware that children may pull off their bandages, and contaminate surfaces again as their finger may still be bleeding. This could also be a choking hazard if the child puts it in her mouth. If the caregiver would like to bandage her child, caution the caregiver as to the potential hazard of the child choking. If the caregiver still wants to bandage the child, give her the bandage, and let her apply it with this caution.

Do not eat or drink in the lab area, either. Yes, that includes things like your Starbuck’s coffee or bottled water, too.

Now, what happens if an accident does occur? That’s where the Exposure Control Plan comes into play. We’ll discuss that next.