Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan December 2003
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PURPOSE: The purpose of this exposure control plan is to: 1. Eliminate or minimize recognized and unrecognized occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). 2. Identify employees occupationally exposed to blood or other OPIM while performing their regular job duties. 3. Provide employees exposed to blood and OPIM information and training. A copy of this plan is available to all employees. 4. Comply with OR-OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, (OAR) 437-02- 1910.1030 POLICY: All employees and workers will practice universal precautions when there is a potential for exposure to blood and OPIM. A. COMPLIANCE METHODS Universal Precautions, hand washing, and other engineering and work practice controls will be in place to eliminate or minimize exposure of employees. Where occupational exposure remains after instituting these controls, personal protective equipment will be used. Employees found not in compliance are subject to disciplinary action. The following methods of compliance will be observed: 1. Universal Precautions Universal Precautions, a method of infection control in which all human blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) are treated as if known to be infectious regardless of the perceived status, will be observed by employees. 2. Hand Washing Readily accessible hand washing facilities with soap, warm water and paper towels are located in labs and restrooms near work areas. Antiseptic hand cleansers or towelettes will be used when hand-washing facilities are not immediately accessible. Hand hygiene will be practiced promptly and thoroughly between contacts and after contact with blood, OPIM, equipment or articles contaminated by them. B. ENGINEERING AND WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS 1. Shipments of blood or OPIM will be refused and not received if there are visible or apparent signs of leakage. Once received, only employees trained in bloodborne pathogens and appropriate PPE shall handle packages with visible or apparent signs of leakage. 2. The storage, transport and shipping of any blood or OPIM must be packaged, contained and accomplished in a manner that prevents leakage during collection, handling, processing storage, transport or shipping. 3. Refrigerators and freezers containing blood and other potentially infectious materials, and other containers used to store, transport, or ship blood or other potentially infectious H://winfiles/safety/bloodborne pathogens/ofd Bloodborne Pathogens Plan.doc pg 3
materials must have a bio-hazard label or be packaged in a red bag or container. Blood or specimen containers only need a label identifying their contents as long as the container does not leave the facility. Labels may be attached to each object by adhesive, string, wire, or another method to prevent loss or unintentional removal of the label. 4. Eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm and handling contact lenses are not permitted in work areas where there is a reasonable risk of occupational exposure. 5. Food and drink may not be kept in refrigerators, freezers, shelves, and cabinets or on counter tops or bench tops where blood or OPIM are present. 6. Blood exposures are to be minimized by performing all procedures in a way that minimizes splashing, spraying and spattering. 7. Mouth pipeting/suctioning of blood or OPIM is prohibited. C. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shall be readily available to the workplace in appropriate sizes or issued to employees who work with blood or OPIM. PPE will be worn during procedures and activities that are likely to generate contact with blood or OPIM. PPE includes: Splashproof Eyewear Disposable masks Disposable gloves Disposable lab coats, gowns or aprons Disposable sharps containers Red "Biohazard" bags Broom / dustpan Additional PPE may be considered as necessary to protect workers in special situations or settings. Precautions will be followed and equipment used consistently. a. All PPE will be repaired or replaced as necessary to maintain its effectiveness. b. Gloves must be worn where it can be reasonably anticipated that the employee will have contact with blood or OPIM. Gloves shall also be worn when handling or touching contaminated items or surfaces. Disposable gloves (single use gloves) used for procedures shall not be washed or decontaminated for re-use, but shall be replaced as soon as practical, when contaminated or as soon as feasible, if they are torn, punctured or barrier function is otherwise compromised. c. Utility gloves used for housekeeping services may be decontaminated for re-use if the integrity of the glove is not compromised. They must be discarded when they are cracked, peeling, torn, punctured, or exhibit other signs of deterioration or compromised barrier function. Use of Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves: Don gloves when there is a potential for contact with blood or OPIM. Change gloves between procedures or activities involving contact with blood, OPIM, equipment or contaminated articles. Remove gloves after contact. Do not wear the same pair of gloves more once and do not wash or reuse gloves between uses. H://winfiles/safety/bloodborne pathogens/ofd Bloodborne Pathogens Plan.doc pg 4
Decontaminate hands after removing gloves. The integrity of the glove may have been compromised during tasks. Disposable Coat, Gown, Apron or Coverall: Wear a clean disposable coat, gown, apron or coverall to protect skin and prevent soiling of clothing during procedures that are likely to generate splashing, spraying, spattering of blood or OPIM. Remove and dispose of the coat, gown, apron or coverall prior to leaving the work area. Eye Protection, Mask, Face Shield: Wear splashproof eyewear and a mask or a mask with face shield to protect mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth during procedures and activities that are likely to generate contact with blood or OPIM. Dispose of mask or mask with faceshield and disinfect splashproof eyewear prior to leaving the work area. D. HOUSEKEEPING All work areas must be maintained in clean and sanitary condition in accordance with a written schedule for cleaning and method of decontamination with an EPA approved disinfectant agent, of each area where there is blood or OPIM present. The schedule and method will be posted in a conspicuous place and include: a. All equipment and environmental and working surfaces shall be cleaned and decontaminated after contact with blood or OPIM. o Immediately or as soon as feasible after incidental spill of blood or OPIM. o At the end of each work shift if the surface may have become contaminated since last cleaning. b. All equipment, pails, cans, similar receptacles and reusable supplies intended for reuse which have a reasonable likelihood of becoming contaminated with blood or OPIM shall be inspected and decontaminated on a regularly scheduled basis, and cleaned and decontaminated immediately or as soon as feasible upon visible contamination. These items will be cleaned with disinfectant per manufacturers instructions or a bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Decontaminated items may be double bagged and discarded in normal waste disposal. c. Broken glass, which may be contaminated, shall not be picked up directly with the hands. The employee must use mechanical means such as brush and dustpan, tongs or forceps. d. Sharps such as broken glass vials, bore tubes, centrifuge tubes, beakers, stir bars etc. which have been contaminated with human blood or OPIM will be placed in a properly labeled or color coded puncture resistant, leak proof sharps container. The sharps container will be sealed prior to disposal into the red biohazard bag. Transporting Blood or OPIM: Blood component containers will be labeled and transported according to OSHA standards: The storage, transport and shipping of Blood Platelets must be packaged, contained and accomplished in a manner that prevents leakage during collection, handling, processing storage, transport or shipping. Gloves must be worn where it can be reasonably anticipated that the employee will have contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Person(s) responsible for transporting specimens will refuse receipt of a blood component container if it is leaking or shows signs of previous leakage. H://winfiles/safety/bloodborne pathogens/ofd Bloodborne Pathogens Plan.doc pg 5
Infectious Waste Disposal: Contain and secure infectious articles in a red impervious bag, e.g. any item that will splash or seep body fluid when handled or compressed. Double bagging is only necessary when the outside of the bag is also contaminated with body fluids. Call Bio Med at 1-800-622-1378 to have the bag picked up and disposed of. Bio Med will leave a new bag in its place. Sharp Items Disposal: Place sharp items such as broken glass, bore tubing, syringes or other sharp items in appropriate puncture-resistant sharps containers that are: o Not filled above the maximum fill line o Located as close as practical to the area in which the item was used. Do not remove any items from sharps container Place sharps container into red biohazard bag. Call Bio Med at 1-800-622-1378 to have the bag picked up and disposed of. Bio Med will leave a new bag in its place. E. EXPOSURE: In the event of a spill, anyone not involved in the cleanup will exit the spill area to avoid contact with blood or OPIM. Mark the affected area with a wet floor sign and cover the spill with paper towels. If an exposure occurs (pathogens enter body through eyes, wound or sharp object penetration): wash vigorously and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 10 seconds. If the eyes are involved, rinse eyes for at least 5 minutes. Notify the Supervisor or Safety Committee Member to report the location, time, and approximate size of the spill. Seek immediate medical attention through Occupational Medicine or Albany General Hospital. The attending physician will determine the level of exposure and required treatment. Post exposure HIV vaccine is effective if administered within 2 hours of exposure. Post exposure Hepatitis vaccine is effective if administered within 72 hours of exposure. H://winfiles/safety/bloodborne pathogens/ofd Bloodborne Pathogens Plan.doc pg 6