Work practice controls are procedures that reduce the risk of exposure by altering how a task is performed. Wherever there is the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens (BBP) or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), the following actions are prohibited:
- No smoking, eating, or drinking
- No applying cosmetics or lip balm
- No handling of contact lenses
- No keeping of food and beverages in refrigerators, freezers, shelves, cabinets, or countertops where blood or OPIM are present
- No mouth pipetting
- No recapping, bending, or breaking of needles
Additional work practice controls include restricting laboratory access to only authorized personnel. Laboratory personnel should frequently cleanse their hands with soap and water and use "no-hands" procedures when discarding contaminated sharps.
