Which of the following is not a recommended action for health care workers to prevent occupational exposure?

Eating lunch in the break room is considered a practice that can potentially lead to occupational exposure if proper precautions are not taken. Break rooms can be environments where cross-contamination occurs, particularly if health care workers handle food in a space where they have also handled potentially infectious materials. It is generally recommended that health care workers should avoid eating in clinical areas or shared spaces to minimize the risk of inadvertently exposing themselves to pathogens.

In contrast, wearing gloves while treating patients is a standard infection control practice that helps protect both the healthcare worker and the patient from exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other infectious materials. Refraining from applying lip balm is also a precautionary measure, as applying personal care products may create a pathway for cross-contamination if hands are not clean. Regularly sterilizing instruments is a crucial part of infection control to ensure that all dental equipment is free of contaminants before being used on patients. Each of these actions directly contributes to the reduction of risk associated with occupational exposure.