BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS EXPOSURE
In accordance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29CFR 1910.1030, the following exposure control plan has been developed. All employees may obtain a full description of the exposure plan by contacting the Safety Department.
- Exposure Determination
- Exposure will be considered present during first aid assistance whenever blood or body fluids are present.
- Job Classification
- All persons who have assumed the responsibility of ESCO Group designated first aid person, and all supervisory personnel, will be covered by this plan.
- A Hepatitis B vaccine must be made available to all employees if their job description states that they must provide first aid duties.
- This program will be made available to all employees and employees will be trained on the location of where to find this policy.
- Training
- In the training program you will learn:
- What a bloodborne pathogen is.
- The symptoms of Hepatitis B and HIV.
- How the diseases are transmitted.
- Proper work procedures to prevent exposure.
- What to do if an exposure occurs.
- The Hepatitis B vaccination.
- Medical surveillance.
- Signs and labels use with Bio-Fluids Spill Kit.
- Training must be given upon assignment and annually.
- Records of training will be retained for a duration of no less than three years.
- All medical records will be retained for at least the duration of employment. ESCO Group will retain these records for the duration of employment plus thirty years in compliance with IOSH 1910.20 Access to employee exposure and medical records.
- In the training program you will learn:
- Methods of Compliance
- Disposable gloves shall be used by providers of first aid where blood, or body fluids of any kind, may come in contact with a person or persons providing first aid. Gloves shall be in all first aid kits. All blood and body fluids shall be treated as if contaminated by HIV and HBV.
- Handwashing facilities shall be provided. Once first aid is completed, and as soon as possible after removing disposable gloves, said persons shall wash or cleanse their hands with facilities provided. If weather or other conditions are such that it is impractical to provide this method of cleaning, an antiseptic hand cleanser will be provided with a clean cloth or paper towels or antiseptic towelette.
- Upon completion of first aid for the individual, or individuals, all materials that have come in contact with blood, or any other body fluids, shall be recovered using Bio-Fluids spill kit and said materials placed in white Bio-Fluids plastic bag, then the white Bio-Fluids bag placed into the red secondary container. Then call Iowa Medical Waste Reduction Center, Inc. at (319) 368-3617 for them to pick up and dispose of the container.
- Equipment and work surfaces which have become contaminated with blood, or other potentially infectious materials, shall be isolated from all persons in area by means of roping off area until equipment decontaminated with household bleach.
- All personal protective equipment will be provided by the employer at no expense to the employees. All PPE and garments that become contaminated by blood or other potentially infectious materials shall be disposed of and the employer will replace the items at no expense to the employee(s).
- The employer shall make available the hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination series to all employees who have occupational exposure and post exposure evaluation and follow-up to all employees who have had an exposure incident. They shall be made available at no cost to the employee and at a reasonable time and place.
- Stericyle needle disposing containers are available in main restrooms of the corporate offices.
- After an Exposure
- ESCO Group shall follow Work Well/St. Luke’s Hospital’s or another designated qualified medical provider’s Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure incident policy. All employees may obtain a full description of the exposure plan by contacting the Safety Department.