standard precautions

means a synthesis of the major features of Universal Precautions (UP) and Body Substance Isolation (BSI) and applies to all persons coming into contact with potentially -infected persons, animals or animal products and potentially contaminated blood and other body fluids in health care facilities or elsewhere and -

a)        apply to –

i)          all blood;

ii)         all body fluids, secretions and excretions, except sweat, regardless of whether they contain visible blood or not;

iii)        non-intact skin;

iv)        mucous membranes: and

v)         tissues; and

b)        are designed to reduce the risk of transmission of HBA from both recognised and unrecognised sources of infection in workplaces;