1. Overview
Bloodborne viruses (BBVs) can present an occupational health risk at work, depending on the type of job you do.
What employers should do to prevent BBV exposure
It is important that employers recognise the ways in which BBVs can be transmitted in the workplace.
Any procedures in which there is a risk of blood transfer should be risk assessed and safe systems of work should be implemented. These sorts of procedures are likely to involve the use of sharps and include:
- surgery
- dentistry
- venepuncture
- acupuncture
- body-piercing
- tattooing
- beautician treatments
Precautions are also required to prevent transmission of BBVs from patients or clients to workers and vice-versa in the course of invasive procedures. It is therefore important that decontamination practices are adequate and are applied thoroughly.
Find out more about decontamination.
Employers should identify if their work activities could put their staff at risk to infection from BBVs.
You can find more information on sources of bloodborne infection at work.
Occupations with increased risk of BBV exposure
Occupations which require the regular use of sharps (such as needles or scalpels) during work activities may be at increased risk to needlestick or sharps injury and associated BBV exposure if contact with blood is possible. Healthcare workers are an occupation that may be at risk. You can find more information on risk to healthcare workers from BBVs.
There is also guidance on avoiding sharps injuries.
Occupations where work activities may lead to the accidental exposure of bodily fluids containing blood or accidental exposure to sharps, may also be at risk from the spread of BBVs. Such occupations include:
- frontline emergency workers
- local authority services, for example refuse disposal and street cleaners
- needle exchange service staff
- laboratory staff working with blood products
For hepatitis B, people at occupational risk where vaccination is recommended are listed in the UK Health Security Agency’s Green Book on immunisation.