5. Methods of compliance with the bloodborne pathogen standard include: \( \square \) personal protective equipment (PPE) \( \square \) engineering controls \( \square \) locking the doors \( \square \) housekeeping/decontamination \( \square \) bug spray universal precautions

To comply with the **Bloodborne Pathogen Standard**—established by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)—employers and employees must implement various measures to protect against exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The correct methods include: 1. **Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):** - **Description:** Includes gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection, and other gear that prevent exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials. - **Relevance:** PPE acts as a physical barrier between the worker and the pathogen. 2. **Engineering Controls:** - **Description:** These are physical changes to the workplace that isolate or remove hazards. Examples include self-sheathing needles, sharps disposal containers, and proper ventilation systems. - **Relevance:** They reduce the risk of exposure by eliminating or reducing hazards at the source. 3. **Housekeeping/Decontamination:** - **Description:** Involves regular cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and equipment that may be contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials. - **Relevance:** Effective housekeeping practices help prevent the spread of pathogens in the workplace. 4. **Universal Precautions:** - **Description:** A set of guidelines designed to prevent transmission of diseases by treating all human blood and certain bodily fluids as if they are known to be infectious. - **Relevance:** Ensures consistent safety practices regardless of a patient's known infection status. ### **Excluded Methods:** - **Locking the Doors:** - **Reason:** While security measures like locking doors are important for general safety, they are not directly related to controlling bloodborne pathogen exposure. - **Bug Spray:** - **Reason:** Bug spray is intended for insect control and does not have any relevance in preventing bloodborne pathogen transmission. ### **Summary of Correct Methods:** - ✅ **Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)** - ✅ **Engineering Controls** - ✅ **Housekeeping/Decontamination** - ✅ **Universal Precautions** ### **Incorrect Methods:** - ❌ **Locking the Doors** - ❌ **Bug Spray** Implementing the correct methods ensures a safer workplace by effectively minimizing the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.