What and Why This Refresher Blood Borne Pathogens on-line training is offered for all returning employees of Harnett County Schools who have previously completed the Initial BBP training video. This is a component of our efforts to fulfill the training requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration s (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, CFR 1910.1030. This standard has served as the basis for implementing policies and practices to minimize your risk of exposure to BBP's, such as Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The information contained in this training, if followed, are an effective means to reducing your risk of exposure to other pathogens as well.
Deadly Bloodborne Diseases Bloodborne Pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) and can cause disease in humans. Such pathogens include, but are not limited to: hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Half of those infected have no symptoms Most recover completely 10% become chronically infected Easily transmitted disease In a dried state, HBV may remain viable on surfaces for up to 1 week and maybe longer. No cure, prevented with a vaccine which requires three shots at specific intervals. Vaccines are a covered service of the North Carolina State Employee Health Plan. You may receive vaccines from your private provider or local health department (Co-pay may apply).
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Most of those infected have no symptoms 85% have chronic infections No preventative vaccine Antiviral drugs may be effective in some cases.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Attacks and weakens the immune system Infected people may remain apparently healthy for many years Some infected people develop AIDS No preventative vaccine.
Transmission of Bloodborne Pathogens Bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted when infectious blood or OPIM is introduced into the bloodstream of a person. Transmission of blood borne pathogens in the workplace can occur through the following routes of transmission: Parenteral exposure - the infected blood or OPIM is introduced directly into your body through a break in the skin. Examples include: a needle-stick injury or a cut with a piece of contaminated glass. Mucous membrane exposure - the infected blood or OPIM enters your body through contact with a mucous membrane found in your eye, nose or mouth. Blood borne pathogens may also be transmitted through unprotected sexual contact. Infected women may expose their newborn children to BBP's through amniotic fluid, through blood during the birthing process, and (less likely) through breast milk.
How Can I be Exposed at Work? Direct Transmission Infected blood enters your bloodstream through an open cut, abrasion, sore, acne, damaged or broken skin such as blisters, sunburn or rash, mucous membranes of the eyes nose and mouth. Indirect Transmission You can touch a contaminated object or surface and transfer the infection to your mouth, eyes, nose, or open skin. Accidental Injury - you may accidentally injure yourself with a sharp object such as contaminated glass, needles, metal or knife.
Standard Precautions Never underestimate the dangers of bloodborne pathogens Always practice Universal Precautions Treat all blood and OPIM as though infected with bloodborne pathogens. Practice Body Substance Isolation
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Always protect yourself first before becoming exposed to blood or body fluids by having a barrier between you and the potentially infectious material. Most injured individuals can manage self-care while you apply PPE s Always have PPE readily available and wear in exposure situations. Keep gloves in your desk, pockets, and crisis bags. Replace PPE s that are torn, punctured or are of poor quality. Put contaminated PPE in plastic-lined garbage containers. You should notify the custodian to collect asap.
Gloves Ideally you should cover all wounds you may have before you leave home to come to work. Certainly cover any open cuts or sores on your hands with bandages before putting on gloves. Replace and dispose of single-use gloves. Vinyl gloves are available for those with an allergy to latex. Remove gloves carefully - never touch the outside of the gloves with any bare skin Always wash hands with soap and warm running water after removing gloves.
Proper Glove Removal Technique With both hands gloved, pinch palm of glove on one hand and pull down off fingers. Form that glove into a ball and hold it in fist of gloved hand. Insert two fingers on the ungloved hand under the inside of gloved hand on palm side. Push glove inside out and down onto fingers and over gloved hand. Grasp gloves that are now together and inside out. Discard gloves and any used firs aid material in the appropriate designated waste receptacle. Wash hands. Remember wearing gloves is not a substitute for good hand washing.
Hygiene Hand washing is the single most important practice one can use to prevent the spread of infectious diseases Proper Hand Washing Technique Wet hands with running water Apply soap and lather well. Wash hands, using circular motion and friction for 15-30 seconds (or sing Happy Birthday 2 times). Include the front and back of hands, between fingers and knuckles, and around the nails and entire wrist. Rinse hands well under running water. Dry hands with paper towels, turn off the water faucet with a paper towel, and discard the paper towels. Alcohol cleansers or hand gels are effective when used properly
Other PPE Goggles and face shields should be worn if there is a risk of splashing or spattering of contaminated fluids Aprons and shoe covers may be worn to protect clothing and shoes from contamination. Always use resuscitative devices for Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Blood Spill Clean-up Kits will be kept in buses and school vehicles. Blood spill kits are available from custodians. They shall only be used in situations where a custodian is not available for clean up and decontamination.
Safe Work Practices Follow Exposure Control Plan Clean all blood and body fluids immediately Proper waste disposal
Housekeeping Custodians should be contacted for thorough cleaning and decontamination. Clean and decontaminate cleaning supplies such as mops, cloths and reusable gloves. Never use your hands to pick up broken glass. Always use broom and dustpan and dispose in sharps container. Regularly inspect and decontaminate containers such as garbage cans and buckets.
Waste Disposal Schools do not routinely generate regulated waste or regulated medical waste as defined by either OSHA or North Carolina Waste Management guidelines. Most items contaminated in the school setting are Band-Aids, bandages, gauze sponges, catheters, and facial tissues soiled with blood or other potentially biologically hazardous or infectious material but do not require disposal as regulated medical waste. Such trash should be doubled bagged in regular trash bags and disposed as regular trash. Harnett County Schools retain the services of a biohazard pick-up company to collect any waste requiring collection in a red biohazard bag or biohazard labeled sharps containers. Contact your school nurse for consideration of biohazard transport and pick-up.
Contaminated Sharps "Contaminated Sharps" means any contaminated object that can penetrate the skin including, but not limited to, needles, scalpels, and broken glass. Wear gloves! Use a brush and dustpan or tongs to pick up broken glass and other sharp objects. Never directly use your hands. Place the items in a closable, leak proof, puncture resistant container with a biohazard label attached. Use a properly labeled sharps container for needles. Never recap, bend, break, or shear needles. Replace sharps containers when full never overfill. To dispose of filled sharps container, contact your school nurse. Never reach into a trash container or push trash down with hands or feet.
LAUNDRY CONTAMINATED WITH BODY FLUIDS Common sense practices are recommended when handling soiled clothing. Wear gloves and other appropriate PPE Handle soiled clothing as little as possible Place contaminated clothing in double plastic leak proof bags. (If grossly contaminated affix a biohazard label to the bag).
Exposure Incident A bloodborne pathogens exposure incident is a specific eye, mouth, or other mucous membrane, non-intact skin or parental contact with blood or other potentially infectious material. Potentially infectious materials are defined as semen, vaginal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, or any fluid containing visible blood or where it is impossible to differentiate between body fluids. Examples of exposure incidents include, but are not limited to parenteral exposure to blood; sharps incidents, (e.g., contaminated needle sticks during or after needle disposal, recapping used needles, transferring uncapped needles, handling sharp contaminated instruments); non-intact skin, eyes, and mucous membranes (e.g., traumatic physical altercation with infected person, handling or disposing of contaminated waste, linen, laboratory specimens, spills and splashes of blood and other body fluids); and human bites.
If You re Exposed Wash skin area with soap and warm water or flush exposed mucous membranes with clean water for 10-20 seconds Notify school principal, supervisor or school nurse Arrangements shall be made for immediate clean up of blood or other potentially infectious materials. Arrange prompt decontamination with an EPA-approved disinfectant by an employee (e.g., custodian) trained in it s use. A biohazard injury/exposure incident shall be reported immediately and in all circumstances within 24 hours to the individual school s Worker s Compensation Representative for completion of appropriate forms. In the event a work related exposure occurs outside of the routine school schedule (e.g. evenings, weekends, holidays), employees should seek medical evaluation from the nearest urgent care facility or if necessary, hospital emergency room. Such occurrences should be reported to principal or supervisor as soon as possible.
Need to Know More Initially, you should refer any questions to your school nurse, principal or your Worker s Compensation Representative at your school. You may also contact: Stanley Williams, Superintendent (893-8151) Monica Thompson, Director of Human Resources (893-8151) Janet Johnson RN, Lead Nurse (897-5711) Your assigned school nurse can also answer any clinical questions you may have about Blood Borne Pathogens or the information contained in this training.
Please make sure you complete the Certificate of Training questions located just below the link to this training. Your responses will be automatically collected. Take care of yourself and have a great year!