Infection Control & First Aid Blog

How many times have you felt sick, but came into work anyway because you feared you would anger your boss or let your co-workers down. Because of actions like this and the high traffic of a work environment, offices become breeding grounds for the flu and numerous other viruses. Let’s examine where these germs pop up and how to keep your workplace flu-free during the next few months. 

Antibiotics are powerful medicines that fight bacterial infections. Used correctly, antibiotics can save lives. They either kill bacteria or keep them from reproducing. Your body's natural defenses can usually take it from there. However, they can cause side effects and lead to antibiotic resistance which can make them very dangerous.

I’m sure you’ve experienced at some point, a fall in gym class resulting in a cut and a swift visit to the school nurse. Schools see numerous types of accidents on a daily basis. Some accidents are minor, whereas some require immediate medical attention. Having qualified first aid staff, and teaching students the importance of first aid from a young age could help lower the severity of these accidents.

Safetec is proud to announce that we are now an official corporate partner of the Herd of Hope. When our team learned about the Herd of Hope, we could not resist the opportunity to donate to such a wonderful cause and to support Roswell Park in the fight against cancer. We are also now an owner of a blue buffalo that sits in the entrance, so all of our employees and guests can see that we are proudly a part of the Herd.

Safetec of America, Inc. is excited to announce that we’ve been undergoing renovations at our company headquarters located at 887 Kensington Ave., Buffalo, NY. This renovation project started in June and is projected to complete by the end of the year.

If you work in a hospital, or anywhere surgeries are performed, you should be aware of the dangers a blood spill can pose. Human blood can contain dangerous pathogens that have to be disinfected and disposed of properly. In addition to blood spills being harmful, they are regulated by OSHA. There is a stringent provision that details what to do in the event of a blood spill to prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. Provision 1910.1030 explicitly states “All procedures involving blood or other potentially infectious materials shall be performed in such a manner as to minimize splashing, spraying, spattering, and generation of droplets of these substances.”

Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Needlesticks and other sharps-related injuries may expose workers to bloodborne pathogens. Workers in many occupations, including first responders, housekeeping personnel in some industries, nurses and other healthcare personnel, all may be at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

We all know the feeling, a slight itch in the back of the throat that will inevitably develop into an annoying bug. Many people will push through common illnesses like sinus infections or mild strains of the flu, and they will also encourage their children to do the same. However, sometimes sending them to school isn’t beneficial to them or their classmates. Sometimes even the slightest symptoms can warrant a doctor’s visit to get your child back on track.

Targeted Pain Relief When You Need It

In our current age, hygiene and disease awareness is at an all-time high. People now know that germs can quickly spread if they aren’t adequately controlled. A large part of infection control comes from hand care, in the form of sanitization and cleaning. However, it still isn’t common knowledge to know when soap and water will suffice, or if a strong sanitizer, like Safetec’s Hand Sanitizer, will be needed.