Question

According to OSHA, Category III tasks _____.

A. do not require any precautions other than hand hygiene
B. involve tasks such as assisting with minor surgical procedures
C. involve risk of exposure to bodily fluids
D. involve tasks such as giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation

Answer 1

According to OSHA, Category III tasks involve a risk of exposure to bodily fluids and require safety precautions such as the use of PPE and hand hygiene, especially for BSL-2 and BSL-3 agents.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to OSHA, Category III tasks involve a risk of exposure to bodily fluids. Tasks categorized under this level might include activities where contact with bodily fluids is anticipated and therefore require certain safety precautions. In laboratory settings, when working with BSL-2 bacteria, added safety measures would include the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), practicing strict hand hygiene, and using biosafety cabinets to prevent airborne transmission. Specific OSHA standards mandate the use of PPE, such as gowns, gloves, masks, and eye protection, depending on the risk associated with the task. Moreover, personnel may be required to undergo medical surveillance and receive vaccinations to mitigate health risks related to exposure to potentially lethal infections, such as those posed by the agents from BSL-3 laboratories, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Bacillus anthracis, and HIV.