Infectious diseases
Communicable disease prevention
As of April 8, 2022, employers are no longer required to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and must follow communicable disease guidance instead. Learn more.
Infectious diseases are caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Some infectious diseases can be passed from person to person or from animal to person. Workers can be exposed to a number of different types of infectious diseases, including airborne, bloodborne, contact, and zoonotic diseases.
- The risks
- How to reduce the risks
- Resources
The risks
| Airborne diseases | Airborne diseases can be spread through the air when infected people cough, sneeze, or speak. A person becomes infected by breathing in air contaminated with the virus or bacteria. Some common airborne diseases include: |
| Bloodborne diseases |
Bloodborne diseases are transmitted through contact with infected blood or certain body fluids. Some common bloodborne diseases include: |
| Contact diseases | Contact diseases are transmitted through direct or indirect contact with bacteria or viruses. Direct contact can include physical contact with an infected person, or contact with blood and body fluids. Indirect contact involves touching an object or surface that has been contaminated by an infected person. Common contact diseases include: |
| Zoonotic diseases | Zoonotic diseases are caused by infectious agents that can be transmitted between animals and humans in a variety of ways. Some zoonotic diseases can be transmitted directly to humans through contact with saliva, some are airborne, and others are are transmitted through insect bites. Common zoonotic diseases include: |
How to reduce the risks
If workers are at risk for infectious disease at the workplace, employers must develop and implement an exposure control plan. As a general rule, safe work practices everyone should follow include:
| Getting vaccinated | Many infectious diseases are preventable through vaccination. |
| Washing hands frequently |
Wash your hands:
|
| Handling sharps properly | Follow manufacturer recommendations for using and disposing of sharps |
| Cleaning and disinfecting spills | Specific procedures are required to contain spills of bodily fluids |
| Using personal protective equipment |
Workers should know how to select appropriate PPE and how to properly put it on and take it off, including:
|
| Practising cough etiquette | Always cough into your sleeve or a tissue instead of your hand, and wash hands after coughing. |
| Staying home if you are sick | Workers should stay home if they are ill, especially if they are vomiting or have a fever or diarrhea. |
Resources
Controlling Exposure: Protecting Workers from Infectious Disease
All workers in B.C. are potentially vulnerable to infectious diseases. This book describes common communicable and zoonotic diseases, how they are spread, and steps to take to protect workers. It includes...
Highlights
- New videos demonstrate the proper technique for handwashing and using hand sanitizer Published on: October 18, 2023