FBI Handbook of Crime Scene Forensics by Federal Bureau of Investigation

skin and circulated throughout the body. Exposure can be prevented by using personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face shields, and protective clothing).
    Ingestion
    Ingestion involves introducing contaminants into the body through the mouth. Ingestion can cause severe damage to the mouth, throat, and digestive tract. To prevent entry of contaminants into the mouth, safe work practices—such as washing hands before eating, smoking, or applying cosmetics—must always be used. Personnel should not bring food, drinks, or cigarettes into areas where contamination can occur, regardless of personal protection they may be wearing.
    Injection
    The direct injection of contaminants into the body—either by needle sticks or mechanical injuries from contaminated glass, metal, or other sharp objects—can cause severe complications. Contaminants enter directly into the bloodstream and can spread rapidly. Extreme caution should be exercised when handling objects with sharp or jagged edges. Work gloves must be worn at all times.
    Safety
    Bloodborne Pathogen Safety
    On December 6, 1991, OSHA issued Title 29, Section 1910.1030, of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Bloodborne Pathogens . 2
    Occupations at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens include law enforcement, emergency response, and forensic laboratory personnel.
    Fundamental to the bloodborne pathogens standard is the concept of following universal precautions. This concept is the primary mechanism for infection control. It requires that employees treat all blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials as if infected with bloodborne diseases, such as the hepatitis B virus (HBV), the hepatitis C virus (HCV), and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The following protective measures should be taken to avoid direct contact with potentially infectious materials:
Use barrier protection—such as disposable gloves, coveralls, and shoe covers—if contact with potentially infectious materials may occur. Change gloves when torn or punctured or when their ability to function as a barrier is compromised. Wear appropriate eye and face protection to protect against splashes, sprays, and spatters of potentially infectious materials.
Wash hands after removing gloves or other personal protective equipment. Remove gloves and other personal protective equipment in a manner that will not result in contaminating unprotected skin or clothing.
Prohibit eating, drinking, smoking, or applying cosmetics where human blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials are present, regardless of personal protection that may be worn.
Place contaminated sharps in appropriate closable, leakproof, puncture-resistant containers when transported or discarded. Label the containers with a BIOHAZARD warning label.
Do not bend, re-cap, remove, or otherwise handle contaminated needles or other sharps.
After use, decontaminate equipment with a daily prepared solution of household bleach diluted 1:10 or with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol or other appropriate disinfectant. Noncorrosive disinfectants are commercially available. It is important to allow sufficient contact time for complete disinfection.
In addition to universal precautions, engineering controls and prudent work practices can reduce or eliminate exposure to potentially infectious materials. Examples of engineering controls include long-handled mirrors used to locate and retrieve evidence in confined or hidden spaces and puncture-resistant containers used to store and dispose of sharps and paint stirrers.
    Chemical Safety
    Depending on the type of material encountered, a variety of health and safety hazards can exist. Some of these hazards are identified by the following categories: 1, 3
Flammable or combustible materials—such as gasoline, acetone, and ether—ignite easily when exposed to air and an ignition source, such as a spark or flame.
Over time, some explosive materials, such as