Protecting Against Infectious Materials

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

Bloodborne pathogens (BBP) are pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood; these and other potential infectious material (OPIM) can cause disease. Examples include Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). 

HBV vaccinations are available to all employees who have potential for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens and provides post-exposure follow-up for all employees who experience an occupational exposure to potential bloodborne pathogens. Labcorp Bloodborne Pathogen Policy is located in the EH&S Manual. Employees are required to sign the Hepatitis B vaccination declination or acceptance form. If the employee would like to receive the vaccination, this will be provided at any time of employment at no cost to the employee.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

It is mandatory that all employees wear the required personal protective equipment (PPE) for their specific job task. PPE is provided by Labcorp, free of charge. No employee should wear personal PPE at the worksite. Cleaning of PPE is conducted by Labcorp. If your PPE becomes damaged or lost, contact your supervisor for replacement. All employees, contractors and visitors must always wear personal protective equipment when performing tasks as outlined in the Blood-Borne Pathogens Personal Protective Equipment Policy, located in the EHS Manual.

PPE must also be worn correctly to maximize protection, example: full length, buttoned lab coat.

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM

Routinely, PSC facilities do not use respirators. In the event of a state mandate for use of respirators, refer to your supervisor and/or EHS Manger for guidance.

SHARP SAFETY

Labcorp employees (and students) must only use the standards safety needles provided by Labcorp. Employees

will be trained on proper use and disposal of these safety needles by the supervisor or trainer. 

All sharps and broken glassware are to be disposed of immediately in sharps containers that are closable, puncture-resistant, leak proof on the side and bottom, and appropriately labeled with a biohazard symbol. You should never shove or push any item into the sharp's container When full, the sharps containers can be placed inside of the Stericycle cardboard medical waste box or plastic biowaste containers that are lined with a red biohazard bag.

Materials placed inside of sharps containers must not be retrieved. Filled and sealed sharps containers must not be reopened. Filled sharps containers must not be emptied, disinfected/sterilized, or reused. If you are at a location that reuses sharp containers, never disinfect or empty, follow established guidelines set up at the location, used safety needles or used safety lancets must be placed in sharps containers; they must not be discarded directly into

medical waste shipping containers.

Sharps containers must be placed within arm’s reach of the patient service technicians (PSTs) before beginning their draws. Sharps containers should not be readily accessible to the patient

and out of the reach of children. The removal of a used needle from a needle holder and the reuse of the needle holder is prohibited. 

The removal of a used needle from a syringe and reuse of that syringe is prohibited. The needle holder with the used needle attached must be discarded as a single unit into a sharp's container immediately after a single use. The entire unit must be dropped horizontally into the opening in the top of the sharp's container. Employees must be trained on how to properlyactivate the safety features, how to verify that these features have been properly activated, and how to properly dispose of the used sharp prior to use. PSTs must complete the Phlebotomy

Safety training in LearningPath as part of their department specific EHS training. Contact your EHS Manager regarding information about these programs or check the Corporate EHS Intranet site. If specimen collection devices are not listed in the EHS standard EHS PPE and supplies list, the supervisor must be notified.

Transfer straws, collection straws or lids containing recessed needles which are used as part of a

urine collection system must be discarded into a sharps container after use.

GENERAL HYGIENE

• Purses or other personal items are not allowed in area where patients are being seen or specimen being handled. Each location will have a clean area to store personal items.

• Do not smoke, drink, eat, or apply cosmetics in the draw area. Standardized approved moisturizing hand cream is not considered a cosmetic and is allowed. Chewing gum and chewing tobacco are not allowed in the draw area.

• Keep hands away from the face, mouth, and eyes when working.

• Do not use the location apparatus for preparation of food or drink. Do not store food or drink in worksite cabinets or refrigerators that are located in Universal Precaution areas.

• All contaminated surfaces must be decontaminated as soon as possible.

Remove gloves when handling such things as phones, doorknobs, etc. to avoid possible contamination. Phones and other items that can be used with gloves must specifically labeled.

COVID-19

Labcorp has a COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan. This plan outlines our policy and procedures in reference to COVID-19. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, do not come to work. If you begin to experience symptoms while at work notify your supervisor immediately. All the symptoms are listed in the COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan.

HAND HYGIENE

Hand hygiene is the first line of defense and hand washing is generally considered the single most important procedure for preventing the spread of infection.

When should you clean your hands?

• Upon completing required tasks and before leaving the location

• Immediately after removing gloves and other PPE

• Upon contact when there is visible contamination of blood and OPIM

• Before and after patient care

• Before eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics, or handling contact lenses

• Before and after the restroom

How to clean your hands?

• Wet hands with warm running water

• Apply enough soap to cover all surfaces

• Thoroughly wash all parts of hands and fingers and up to wrists, rubbing together for at least 20 seconds

• Rinse hands under running water and dry thoroughly

CDC guidelines recommend that healthcare workers use an alcohol-based had rub routinely to clean hands between patient contact, as long as hands are not visibly soiled.