Bodily Fluid Handling and Disposal

Whenever there is an exposure risk of contact with blood and body fluids in handling bodies for any purpose, you should always wear personal protective equipment and other protective equipment that is available as necessary.   Sites in the body that pose a risk of leaking body fluids should be sealed as soon as possible for example, open wounds and drainage tube sites should be covered with waterproof dressings. 

If you are aware or suspect that the deceased person is infected with a blood-borne pathogen, it is your duty to ensure that those who need to handle the body are made aware that there is a potential risk of infection. For example, funeral personnel, mortuary and post-mortem room staff should be informed. This is a statuary requirement under the HSWA.  The diagnosis should be kept confidential, but the discreet use of “danger of infection” or similar labelling should be used. You should also include on the label a note of which type of precautions are required.

A body which is externally contaminated with blood or is suspected to be infected with a Bloodborne pathogen should be placed in a disposable plastic body bag as soon as possible. You should use absorbent material if there is a leakage of body fluids.

If you work in the mortuary, you should communicate properly with your co-workers and other staff who submit bodies for post-mortem examination or storage and who collect bodies for disposal purposes.  If you undertake post-mortem examinations, you should follow similar personal protection as those recommended by your employer and the latest guidelines.