Embedded Files
ADM 16.0
Principals develop a written plan which describes management of exposure to blood borne pathogens in the school.
Purpose:
To comply with the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) Regulations.
To ensure the health and safety of all persons in the school community.
Commentary/Procedural Points:
Principal works in consultation with the nurse to create an Exposure Control Plan.
A sample Exposure Control Plan may be obtained from the Department of Catholic Schools.
The Exposure Control Plan includes a list of job classifications of school employees who have “occupational exposure,” defined as those employees who can reasonably anticipate being exposed to blood or other potentially infectious material in the performance of their duties. Such job classifications may include school nurses, physical education teachers and coaches whose job duties include first aid, maintenance personnel, some science teachers, etc.
The Plan also identifies the schedule, means and methods that the school uses to comply with the regulations. The school ensures that all employees with “occupational exposure” participate in a training program at the time of initial assignment and at least annually thereafter. The school maintains training records as required by the applicable regulations.
All Plans require the use of “universal precautions,” which means that all blood or other potentially infectious materials are treated as if known to be infectious for HIV (which causes AIDS), HBV (Hepatitis B) and other blood-borne pathogens.
The Plan includes a section, which details the school’s procedures for hand washing. In general, these procedures require washing as soon as practical after blood contact with skin, eyes or mucous membranes, and after removing gloves or other protective equipment. If running water is not immediately available, the plan describes what alternative the employees use to clean their hands.
Needles are not bent or recapped by hand unless absolutely necessary because of the nature of a specific medical procedure. The plan also requires that sharps be placed in identified, puncture-resistant containers which are located as close as practical to where sharps are used or likely to be found. (Example, nurses office).
Equipment is decontaminated prior to being shipped or repaired so that those involved in the transportation, handling and repair are not exposed to potentially infectious material.
The Plan specifies what personal protective equipment/clothing (e.g., gloves, masks, lab coats, etc.) are worn in specific situations (example, bio-labs).
The Plan indicates the type of disinfectant, method, and schedule that the school uses to clean surfaces and equipment.
The school makes available the hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination series to all employees who are determined to have “occupational exposure.” The vaccination is made available within 10 working days of initial assignment and after receiving training, at no cost to the employee (i.e., the school pays for the vaccine and any travel expense or lost work time associated with the vaccination). Employees who decline the vaccination sign a specific waiver. (See Appendix)
The school provides an exposed employee with a confidential post-exposure evaluation and follow-up by a licensed healthcare professional at no cost to the employee. The school investigates and documents the circumstances of any exposure incident.
The school establishes and maintains an accurate confidential medical record for each employee with “occupational exposure.”
Each school makes its Exposure Control Plan accessible to all employees, and reviews and updates the Plan at least annually.
*This policy highlights only some of the requirements of the applicable regulations. Schools should refer to the full regulations and MOSH bulletins in developing their Exposure Plan.
References:
Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Regulations https://www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/mosh/
Maryland State School Health Guideline Bloodborne Pathogens
https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Documents/DSFSS/SSSP/SHS/SHSGuidelines/BBP1207.pdf
December 28, 2022
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