What should members do if they come into contact with blood or potentially infectious materials?

Wearing department-approved disposable gloves is essential when members come into contact with blood or potentially infectious materials. Gloves serve as a critical barrier to protect the skin from exposure to pathogens that may be present in blood or bodily fluids. This precaution helps minimize the risk of transmission of infectious diseases, safeguarding both the member's health and the health of others.

While handwashing and hand sanitizer are important in maintaining hygiene, they do not provide the immediate protective barrier that gloves do during direct exposure situations. Reporting to a hospital may be necessary under certain conditions after exposure, but it is not the first immediate step in handling contact with infectious materials. Hence, the first and most crucial action is to wear gloves as part of standard safety protocols.