What should employees do if they experience an exposure incident?

Employees should report an exposure incident to their supervisor immediately because prompt reporting is crucial for ensuring proper medical evaluation and treatment. This immediate action allows for the institution to initiate its exposure response protocols, which often include factors such as documenting the incident, providing medical attention, and potentially initiating post-exposure prophylaxis if necessary. Reporting also helps to monitor the safety and health of the workplace and can contribute to improvements in safety policies and training.

Ignoring an incident or self-treating can lead to serious health risks, including the potential transmission of bloodborne pathogens if the exposure is significant. Continuing to work without addressing the incident endangers the individual's health and could also place other employees at risk if proper precautions aren’t taken afterward. Timely reporting ensures that all necessary steps are taken to protect both the employee and their coworkers.