HIV/AIDS Precautions - Laboratories

Consider blood and body fluids from all patients as infective. Refer to Routine Practices for preventing transmission of bloodborne infectious diseases.

Report immediately to a designated person or health care professional any suspected fluid exposure or a needlestick or sharp injury.   

Please also see the OSH Answers documents HIV/AIDS in the Workplace and Needlestick and Sharps Injuries for more information.

Wear gloves:

• when processing blood or body fluid specimens
• when handling contaminated articles
• during cleaning and decontamination procedures

Change gloves after processing a specimen.

Wear gowns while working with potentially infectious material.

Wear masks and protective eyewear:

• if mucous membrane contact is likely
• if there is potential for splashing

Remove protective clothing before leaving the laboratory.

Wash hands:

• after processing specimens
• after completing laboratory activities
• after removing protective clothing
• after a glove tear or suspected glove leak
• before leaving laboratory

Do not pipette by mouth.

Please also see the OSH Answers document Personal Protective Equipment for more information.

• Use needles only when there is no alternative. Consider needles and sharp instruments as being infected.
• Use puncture-resistant containers. Label containers – for example "CAUTION: WASTE SHARPS".
• Clean and sterilize reusable syringes before reusing them.
• Do not recap, bend, break or remove needles by hand from disposable syringes or otherwise handle after use.
• Familiarize yourself with the type(s) of needles used in your workplace
• Dispose of sharps containers according to the manufacturer's instructions. Replace and seal the existing sharps disposal container closed when about three-fourths (3/4) full or at the max fill line,indicating the container is full.
• Do not open, empty, or manually clean full sharps disposal containers.

Laboratory surfaces should be decontaminated:

• After a spill of blood or body fluid. Disinfect with a medical-grade disinfectant.
• Before reprocessing contaminated material used in lab tests.
• When work activities have been completed.

• Place contaminated laboratory test material in bags and dispose according to the policy for infectious waste.
• Put the specimen into a sturdy container with a secure lid to prevent leaking.
• Avoid contaminating the outside of the container and accompanying laboratory form.
• Place the container in a clear, impervious plastic bag.