Biological hazards
Biological hazards are health risks associated with exposure to biological agents or pathogens, substances or processes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, toxins and biological materials in the workplace that can cause acute or chronic health conditions. The presence of biological hazards in the workplace represents a substantial risk to the well-being and safety of employees, raising valid concerns about the potential transmission of these dangers to fellow workers (19). For instance, individuals in healthcare, laboratory and research roles, as well as those in the food industry, may encounter elevated exposure risks of biological hazards (20). Other occupations and industries affected by biological hazards include agriculture and farming, construction, veterinarians and animal handlers, and wastewater and sewage treatment personnel (19). Healthcare workers are faced with potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C when they come into contact with contaminated bodily fluids. In laboratory environments, there is inherent proximity to biological agents (20,21).
Scientists and laboratory staff frequently handle microorganisms, cultures, and samples that may harbor infectious diseases, resulting in the potential risk of biological hazards. Biological hazards within the food industry are linked to product contamination during processing, if not effectively controlled, pathogens such as Escherichia coli and salmonella can give rise to foodborne illnesses, causing significant health concerns (22). In the agricultural and waste management sectors, employees are primarily subjected to organic dust and bioaerosols. Bioaerosols are defined as suspended airborne particles consisting of biological matter, which may include bacterial cells, cellular remnants such as endotoxins, fungal spores, fungal hyphae, viruses, and the metabolic by-products of microorganisms. Additionally, pollen grains and other forms of biological materials can also become airborne as bioaerosols (23).
Occupational biological hazards can be transmitted to workers through various means. These include direct contact with contaminated surfaces, equipment, or co-workers who may carry infectious agents. Additionally, there is the risk of airborne transmission of respiratory pathogens, such as tuberculosis or COVID-19, through the inhalation of infectious droplets. Inadequate ventilation and close proximity to infected individuals can exacerbate this risk (20,21). Fomite transmission involves inanimate objects carrying biological hazards and can occur through shared equipment, doorknobs, or breakroom utensils. Foodborne transmission is a concern when biological hazards contaminate food products or when proper food hygiene practices are not followed (21). Furthermore, bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted through accidental needlestick injuries or contact with contaminated blood. Certain procedures, like suctioning, can lead to the generation of respiratory droplets containing infectious agents, facilitating droplet spread (20). (24) reported a female patient, aged 40, was diagnosed with tuberculosis in the middle ear on the right side. She had been employed as a nurse at the Department of Pulmonology, Clinical Hospital Rijeka in Rijeka, Croatia, for a duration of 17 years. The infection was attributed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, acquired during her assistance in bronchoscopy, and was officially recognized as an occupational disease. An outbreak of pertussis was also documented, with transmission occurring among healthcare workers in an oncology department of a hospital, potentially originating from a patient identified as the probable source (25).
In Washington State, a veterinarian specializing in small animals contracted leptospirosis following an incident at work. Roughly 10 days before the onset of the illness, he handled a seemingly healthy pet rat to check for fleas, which urinated on his ungloved hands. Despite washing his hands after the examination, the veterinarian had abrasions on his hands from gardening (26). Ensuring the prevention of biological hazards in the workplace is essential for safeguarding the health and well-being of employees, thereby lowering the chances of illness and potential long-term health impacts.
In the workplace, it is imperative to ensure the safeguarding of employees from biological hazards. Protective measures should be implemented to preclude the possibility of exposure to biological agents and hazards. Where complete prevention may not be feasible, steps should be taken to minimize the risk of exposure to an acceptable level. Control measures encompass systems and actions to minimize exposure risks to biological agents and hazards including engineering controls, management controls and personal protective equipment (19,27). Engineering controls involves the use of mechanical or physical systems to mitigate the risk of exposure to occupational biological hazards. engineering controls for biological hazards include ventilation systems, biological safety cabinets, airborne infection isolation room, decontamination, handwashing and sterilization equipment, and physical barriers such as shields and screens (19). Management controls aimed at mitigating biological hazards in the workplace encompass administrative and organizational strategies with the primary goal of diminishing risks and safeguarding employee safety. These strategies are intended to formulate clear policies, protocols, and guidelines to ensure the effective management of biological hazards. Examples of management controls include risk assessment, written policies and procedures, training, standard operating procedures, emergency response plan, access control to areas where biological hazards are present, and supervision (19).
Personal protective equipment consists of a range of specialized gear and wear that workers utilize to protect themselves from potential hazards. Personal protective equipment include mask, gowns, eye protection, appropriate footwear, hearing protector and gloves (27). Collectively, these measures serve to reduce the likelihood of employees being exposed to biological hazards in the workplace and contribute to establishing a safer environment for them.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting from infection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, marked by various symptoms including fever, cough, breathing issues, and fatigue, has spurred a global prioritization of managing biological risks in occupational environments (28,29). This underscored the urgent requirement for the development of comprehensive standards and guidelines to effectively tackle these challenges. Considering this situation, companies had to consider their respective national governments’ health contingency plans as well as the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) (29,30). This approach was crucial for achieving a necessary balance between reopening operations and the imperative of maintaining low infection rates. The achievement of this balance heavily depended on workers’ awareness and the implementation of measures to safeguard their health. Occupational safety and health (OSH) practitioners hold a crucial position in strategizing for the maintenance of secure work environments and in offering guidance and technical support to companies, workers, and their representatives on matters concerning the intricate connection between health and work. Their efforts are primarily concentrated in two key domains, including the recognition and evaluation of occupational hazards (stemming from work-related activities) and the evaluation of individuals’ health conditions in the workplace (28).
The emergence of the coronavirus era highlighted the necessity of safeguarding at-risk workers from occupational hazards, particularly those posed by biological factors. Assessing biological risks entails gathering personal data from employees, understanding their health vulnerabilities, and considering their biological condition to accurately evaluate evolving risks (28). This information is vital for devising essential preventive measures and implementing protective protocols. These events have raised awareness and led to changes in workplace safety practices to minimize the risk of virus transmission and protect employees at different levels. Some of these changes include the adoption of remote work arrangements to reduce the number of employees physically present at workplaces, maintaining of a safe distance between employees, wearing of masks to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets, frequent handwashing, sanitizing and good personal hygiene practices, screening and temperature checks to identify potential case, increased cleaning and disinfection, improved ventilation, and workplace safety training (31,32).