How can I find out about workplace regulations for co-workers who openly dress their wounds?

There is a person that I work with who has strange "wounds" all over his body and he sits at his desk and openly dresses, cleans the wounds. Sometimes, there will be bloody gauze and napkins on his desk. He throws these materials in his trash or in the kitchen trash. How can I find out about workplace safety? I have looked online but do not really know where to look and my company doesn't have anything listed.

Also, this person says his wounds are from a biking accident, yet, he has had them and they keep growing, since I have worked here - for over 3 years, others say he has had them for 5+ years. He is not open about the wounds and it is all very strange, but either way, there is now blood involved and it grosses me out.

If it concerns you maybe you can check with your local health department. Just call them and tell them about the situation and maybe they can help you.

Go to your supervisor and tell them, ask them to
address the problem for you. this is against most safety policy. It is hazardous to everyone in the work environment.

I don't know where you are geographically, but most states and provinces have a labour board-its free for Canadians to call in and ask these types of questions that are not covered on the boards' website or information packets. I'm not sure about the U.S. or other countries although I'm sure most places have similar organizations. The best place to check to find these numbers is to call or visit your local employment/unemployment agency or career counselling areas- (just look under the yellow pages for the aforementioned titles) they might be able to help you and if not definetely be able to point you in the right direction. As far as your co-worker goes, you should probably just ask him what his wounds are from. If he is open about dressing them in public he should be open about talking about it. I would casually and nicely make a joke about him doing that in the open (with no one else around) and if he still does it then let him know how it bothers you. Then if he still does it-definetely look into it more and find out what actions you need to take. It is possible that he is unaware as to how it may gross people out. Good Luck.

if he's lying about it then it's possibly contagious like hepititus or something. It's not illegal to be contagious but you might want out for your own good. Thems the breaks. Company can't fire him because of it though. least i don't think. Talk to your boss and let him know it worries you. If in US OSHA is in charge of worker safety and can tell you the legalities.

Even in public schools there are health standards and regulations about any body fluid, especially blood. Anyone involved in the clean up has to wear gloves and it has to be disposed in a special way not to contaminate anything. You didn't say what kind of job you have, but that is just common knowledge these days with aids and hepatitus.

I would tell you supervisor first and see what they say, then if they blow you off, you have the right to contact the local health department and/or OSHA.

That is just plain gross that he does that at his desk! What if he had aids? someone came along with an open cut and boom they were exposed.

The wounds could be from diabetes or something but better be safe than sorry, and he should be doing that in the bathroom not for public display!