Bloodborne Pathogens:

What you can't see can hurt you

featuring

Bob Pfeiffer

HS&E Manager, Akrochem Corporation

President, Summit County Safety Council

For physicians and nurses, the need for bloodborne pathogens training is clear. They work with patients, and may come into contact with blood and other fluids that may have pathogens. But first aid teams, custodial staff, teachers, firefighters, and laundry staff should also receive this training so they can protect themselves and others in the workplace.

This presentation is for everyone at work and at home. Bloodborne pathogens can pose a hazard to anyone, so bring a friend and learn something that could impact your life. Bob will cover how bloodborne pathogens are spread, how to avoid exposure and what to do if exposed to infectious material.

Bob Pfeiffer is from the Akron area, having graduated from St. Vincent – St. Mary High School and The University of Akron. Bob began his career with the BFGoodrich Company /Noveon Inc. in 1983. He worked there for over 23 years at five different locations. He spent two and a half years as Corporate EH&S Manager for Teknor Color Company before spending the last 14 years working for Akrochem Corporation.

Bob has been in the health, safety and environmental field since 1988, part time, and full time since 1992. His experience ranges from office ergonomics, industrial hygiene, emergency response, hazardous waste management and incident command to auditing, security, behavioral safety and process safety management. He prides himself on being a “hands-on” HS&E person and educating those around him. He is a firm believer that education, especially in HS&E, is key to everyone’s safety and success. He is also a two-time winner of the Summit County Safety Citizen of the Year award, 2012 and 2014.

Bob’s personal life revolves around his family. He and his wife Jackie have two adult children (1 deceased). He has coached baseball, basketball and soccer youth leagues and coordinates an annual mission trip to Appalacia every summer. If anyone thinks he really looks familiar it is probably because you have seen him on the basketball court. He has been a high school basketball official for 20 years having been in gyms in Summit, Portage, Medina, Cuyahoga and Wayne counties.

Bring a first responder or other guest for free with a paid admission!

Contact Sally to add a guest if you've already prepaid.

Cari Gray is an Industrial Safety Consultant Specialist with the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC).

An employer installed overhead powered hoist and lift tables to improve the safety and ergonomics of loading and unloading of truck wheels to to reduce bending and extended reaching, improve overall posture, reducing hand/ arm repitition, and elimnating usage of manual force when loading and unloading materials.

Question: As safety professionals we are always on the lookout for the unexpected. Is there anything else you would be concerned with related to safety?

A. All hazards have been addressed

B. Eye and PPE equipment is a concern

C. PM schedule for lifts and hoist.

D. Feet protection – Safety Shoes – Anti-fatigue mat

E. C & D

Answer: Because of the weight of the wheels and two mechanical assist interventions – C & D would be the best choice. Placing equipment on a facility PM/maintenance check is recommended. Also, employee maintains a somewhat static posture, anything that helps reduce the fatigue factor to the lower extremities is a plus. Anti-fatigue mat would be beneficial. The weight of the wheels is a hazard, safety shoes would be needed. Wear and tear on the fatigue mats should also be monitored. Even when we are working to improving safety, we need to look at the whole picture and do a thorough assessment to look for other concerns.