4-14 Infection prevention and exposure control practices
Background
Firefighters, in the course of their work, may be exposed to blood, bodily fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, sharps, medical waste or soiled items. It is important to follow infection prevention and control practices (IPAC) to reduce the risk of contracting diseases if you encounter these fluids or materials.
Concerns and hazards
Firefighters are at risk of contracting communicable diseases from infectious persons. It is sometimes difficult to identify patients with infectious diseases as they may not initially display symptoms.
Actions for employers
Employers should:
- assess the risk of occupational exposure to communicable diseases in the workplace
- apply a standard of routine practices to prevent or reduce the risk of transmission
- train workers on routine practices so that the worker can perform a “point of care” risk assessment and evaluate the general risk of each encounter with persons and determine the best course of action
- provide training and education on selection, use and limitations of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- provide education on infectious diseases and methods of spread/exposure
- develop protocols which limit exposure
- ensure adequate stock of PPE and develop an inventory control program to ensure stock is not out-of-date
- consult local public health for most recent direction on protection, vaccinations, contact management, post exposure management and designated officer role
Routine practices
Routine practices include:
- an ongoing or “point of care” risk assessment
- hand hygiene
- barrier equipment
- environmental controls
- education
A “point of care” risk assessment is used to determine the potential for exposure to blood and bodily fluids or contaminated equipment.
Firefighters should always use routine practices for infection prevention and exposure control with persons during care, including in station operations. This includes:
- proper hand washing
- cleaning and disinfection practices
- appropriate use of PPE
When the ongoing or “point of care” risk assessment indicates a potential for transmission, firefighters should use appropriate PPE. When used properly, PPE provides a barrier to prevent transmission from person to worker and worker to person. Barrier equipment includes:
- hand protection
- eye protection
- respiratory protection
- skin protection
Employers should consult with infection control experts, to determine the appropriate PPE for use in each of the categories listed above. Experts may include:
- local, provincial and federal health officials
- the Medical Officer of Health
- emergency medical services
- health and safety associations
Applicable regulations and acts
- Occupational Health and Safety Act
- clause 25(2)(a) for providing information and instruction to a worker
- clause 25(2)(d) for making workers aware of hazards
- clause 25(2)(h) for taking every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers
- Regulation 833 - Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents for respiratory protection program requirements
Related
For information on immunizations to reduce your risk of contracting communicable diseases, read National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Canadian Immunization Guide (Public Health Agency of Canada).
Read the Ontario Public Health Standards administered by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
Read about routine practices to protect workers in pre-hospital settings from the Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee.
Read an overview of a Designated Officer Program.
Use this self-assessment tool for a Designated Officer Program Assessment.
Read firefighter guidance notes:
Revised by committee: June 4, 2026
This resource does not replace the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations, and should not be used as or considered legal advice. Health and safety inspectors apply the law based on the facts in the workplace.