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SECTION D1: BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS
Introduction
Blood or certain other body fluids may contain pathogenic agents, that
is, microorganisms that cause disease. Among those pathogens that may
be present are hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV or HCV) or human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV) which causes AIDS. If an individual has blood exposure to
broken or injured skin, mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, mouth, or
by needle stick or other injection, there is the potential of infection
with any possible pathogen that might be present. To minimize the risk
of infection, information and training must be provided to those who will
likely be exposed; hepatitis B vaccination is offered; protective measures
in the work environment are instituted; and exposures are reported to
ensure that proper medical evaluation and treatment can be provided. It
is especially important that employees with potential exposure understand
and follow the principle of "Universal Precautions" as required
in the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration standard. "Universal Precautions"
is the infection control approach in which all blood and body fluids are
treated as if they are infected and the necessary precautions are taken.
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Scope and Application
Federal OSHA standards require a Bloodborne Pathogens Program for employees
with job responsibilities which "reasonably expose" them to
blood and certain other body fluids, unfixed human tissue or cell cultures.
This program is intended to prevent infection with bloodborne pathogens.
Under University policy, the Bloodborne Pathogens Program applies to
all individuals, including students, who may be exposed through University
programs and activities.
At Princeton University, individuals with responsibilities for medical
support (e.g., McCosh Health Center patient care and support staff)
and emergency response (e.g., Public Safety security officers and proctors)
are examples of those who have potential exposure and are included in
the program. Research activities involving human blood or tissues places
laboratory personnel at risk of exposure and requires those researchers
to be in the program.
However, "good Samaritan" actions, such as an employee or
student who provides assistance to another individual in the case of
a nose bleed or other injury, are not covered under the Bloodborne Pathogens
Program.
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Program Description
Exposure Control Plan
Each department develops a written Exposure Control Plan indicating
those job classifications and the tasks and procedures which involve
potential exposure. The plan also includes an indication of the required
engineering and work practice controls, personal protective equipment,
housekeeping, labeling, training, and medical surveillance functions
that will be instituted.
A model Exposure
Control Plan is available through Environmental Health and Safety
(EHS) in the Biosafety
Manual.
Training
Training must be provided initially at the time workers are assigned
tasks involving exposure and annually thereafter. This training is
provided through an on-line, interactive web-based program, Protection
Against Bloodborne Pathogens.
The online training consists of a number of informational modules
including explanation of the OSHA Standard, epidemiology and transmission
of bloodborne pathogens, appropriate work practices, and exposure
control procedures.
Training will be followed by a testing section and concludes with
registration in the Bloodborne Pathogens Program and offer of Hepatitis
B vaccination. Each training module offers the opportunity to e-mail
any questions you may have and to receive a response by the end of
the following day.
It is the responsibility of the supervisor to ensure that workers
complete initial and annual training.
Medical Surveillance
Those who are potentially exposed to bloodborne pathogens are offered
the hepatitis B vaccination at no cost to the individual. Although
this vaccination is strongly recommended, an individual can choose
not to accept it and sign a declination statement. Employee
Health staff at McCosh
Health Center will administer the vaccination series and provide
any necessary medical follow-up as a result of exposures.
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Roles and Responsibilities
Department
- Identify individuals at risk of exposure and notify EHS.
- Develop a written departmental Exposure Control Plan as described
above.
- Review the plan on an annual basis or as exposure conditions change.
- Ensure that employees complete the required initial and annual training.
- Provide personal protective equipment and engineering controls to
eliminate or reduce exposure.
- Maintain current written Exposure Control Plan.
Supervisor
- Ensure that those exposed complete the required training.
- Ensure that those exposed have available and use the appropriate
personal protective equipment and that "Universal Precautions"
are followed.
EHS/Employee Health
- Conduct initial and annual training.
EHS
- Provide and update on-line training program and training data base.
- Provide assistance in meeting OSHA standard requirements.
Investigate exposure incidents.
- Audit department program periodically.
Employee Health
- Provide medical surveillance to include administration of hepatitis
B vaccine and medical follow-up for exposures.
Individual
- Complete the provided training and understand the risk associated
with the job.
- Consider seriously the offer of hepatitis B vaccination.
- Follow the appropriate practices and procedures established for
the work environment to limit or prevent exposures, and adopt the
principle of "Universal Precautions".
- Report any exposures to supervisory personnel and undertake the
necessary medical review and treatment.
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For More Information
Contact EHS Sanitarian at 258-5294
Further information is available in the following references:
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