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).