III. X. Bloodborne Pathogens

WEST WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

Exposure Control Plan Policy

I.  RATIONALE

1. To provide a comprehensive plan that will:

1. Protect West Warwick Public Schools employees who may be occupationally exposed to blood, other potentially infectious materials, and/or certain other body fluid that may contain bloodborne pathogens.

2. Demonstrate West Warwick Public Schools compliance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030).

II. EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

A. Exposure Determination for Each Employee

The Principal, Administrator, Director, School Nurse, or Area Supervisor shall determine the potential occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM) of each employee in the department.

1. Appendix A (Exposure Determination/Job Classification) and Appendix B (Exposure Determination Worksheet hall be used as a guideline for identifying job classifications in which employees might reasonably anticipate exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM).

2. The potential for employee exposure shall be made without regard to the use of personal protective equipment

B. Infectious or Potentially Infectious Fluids/Materials

1. All blood/body fluids shall be considered potentially infectious, ie:

   1. Blood

   2. Saliva

   3. Urine

   4. Feces

   5. Amniotic fluid

   6. Semen

   7. Vaginal secretions

   8. Cerebrospinal fluid

   9. Pleural fluid 

   10. Synovial fluid

   11. Pericardial fluid

2. Any identifiable fluid or secretion or grossly contaminated secretion/excretion.

C. Utilization of Universal Precautions

Universal precautions, whereby all human blood and OPIM are considered potentially infectious, shall be practiced by all employees identified as having occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

D. Utilization of Engineering Controls

Engineering controls, e.g., needle disposal systems, red biohazard plastic liner bags, etc., shall be used to eliminate and/or minimize employees’ occupational exposure.  Such controls shall be examined and maintained or replaced at least annually to ensure their effectiveness.

E. Utilization of Work Practice Controls

Work practice controls, e.g., handwashing, sharp precautions, housekeeping, etc., shall be utilized to minimize and/or eliminate employee’s occupational exposure to blood or OPIM.

F. Utilization of Personal Protective Equipment

Employees subject to occupational exposure shall be provided with personal protective equipment which shall be maintained and used in all cases where there is exposure to blood or bodily fluids.  Personal protective equipment includes gloves and eye/face protection.

G. Immunization/Post – Exposure Follow-up and Treatment

Each employee subject to occupational exposure shall be strongly encouraged to receive Hepatitis B vaccine at no cost to the employee within 10 working days of initial assignment. Mandatory declination is necessary.  

H. Training and Education of Employees

Each employee shall receive training and education in accordance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter.

I.  Record Keeping/Compliance

 Record-keeping and compliance with this plan shall be in accordance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.

III.  METHODS OF COMPLIANCE

A. General

Hepatitis B vaccine shall be available to each employee who is subject to occupational exposure at no cost to the employee within 10 working days of initial assignment.

Each employee who is subject to occupational exposure shall be offered Hepatitis B vaccine series within10 working days of initial assignment unless the employee has previously received the complete Hepatitis B vaccine series, antibody testing has revealed that the employee is immune, or the vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons.  Hepatitis B vaccine shall be available to all current employee personnel subject to occupational exposure and/or after an exposure incident.  Any employee subject to occupational exposure (newly hired or currently employed) who declines to accept the Hepatitis B vaccination shall sign a statement noting that he/she has refused the vaccine and understands the risks of such refusal.  If, at any time, the employee should decide to accept the vaccine, it shall be made available.

B. Engineering Controls

Engineering controls to eliminate or reduce occupational exposure shall be examined, maintained, or replaced annually or as necessary, and shall be available and easily accessible for use by employees.

C. Work Practices

1. Hand and eye washing

   1. Environmental Factors:

Hand and eye washing facilities including hand washing liquid and paper towels shall be readily accessible in all areas where employees are subject to occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.  If handwashing facilities are not feasible in a given area or situation, an antiseptic hand cleaner and towels or towelettes shall be provided.  Bar soap shall not be left on sinks or countertops.

2. Practices:

Employees shall wash their hands immediately or as soon as feasible after removal of gloves or other personal protective equipment, or if there has been unanticipated contact with blood or body fluids.  Hands or skin surfaces shall be washed with soap and water or other approved hand washing solution and mucous membranes shall be flushed with water immediately or as soon as feasible following any contact with blood or body fluids.

2. Sharps Precautions

Disposal:

Designated leakproof, puncture-resistant containers shall be easily accessible to personnel and located as closely as possible to the areas where sharps are used or use can be reasonably anticipated.  Used needles and sharps shall be disposed of immediately.  Sharps disposal containers shall not be filled beyond three-fourths of their capacities and shall be closed prior to removal or replacement.

3.  Equipment

Equipment used shall not require special handling unless such equipment becomes visibly contaminated with blood or body fluids.  Visibly contaminated equipment shall be cleansed initially with soap and water followed by disinfection with approved disinfectant in a manner appropriate to the item.  If cleansing does not adequately remove blood or body fluids or if decontamination is not feasible, the item shall be discarded and replaced.

4. General Work Practices

Any and all procedures involving blood or body fluids shall be performed in a manner that eliminates or minimizes splashing, spraying, splattering, or generation of droplets of these substances.

Eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, and handling of contact lenses shall be prohibited in work areas where there is reasonable likelihood of occupational exposure.

D. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

1. General Rules

Whenever there is risk of occupational exposure, appropriate types and sizes of PPE shall be provided to all employees at no cost to the employees.  PPE shall include but is not limited to disposable gloves, face shields, masks and eye protection. The West Warwick Public Schools shall provide, repair, maintain, or dispose of PPE’s at no cost to the employee.

PPE shall be used whenever there is risk of splash, splatter, or aerosolization of potentially infectious substances.

In general, PPE shall:

• Not permit blood or body fluids to pass through to the employee’s skin or mucous membranes.

• Be removed when penetrated by blood or body fluids prior to leaving the work area if visibly contaminated with blood or body fluids.  Items shall be disposed of appropriately.

2. Gloves

Supplies of gloves (vinyl or latex free) shall be readily accessible in all work areas where the risk of exposure exists.  Gloves shall be worn whenever the employee can reasonably anticipate contact with blood or bodily fluids, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, and when handling or touching visibly contaminated items or surfaces.  Each employee who has routine exposure to blood or bodily fluids shall carry a pair of gloves in his/her pocket to ensure that protection is immediately available.  Disposal single-use gloves shall be replaced immediately if they become contaminated, torn, punctured, or whenever their ability to function as a barrier has been compromised.

Utility gloves shall be washed and decontaminated provided the integrity of the glove has not been compromised prior to reuse.  Utility gloves shall  be discarded if they begin to peel, become cracked, torn, punctured, or exhibit other signs of deterioration or compromise.

3. Masks, Eye Protection, Face Shields

Masks in combination with eye protection devices such as goggles, glasses with solid side shields, chin length face shields, etc. shall be worn whenever splashed, sprays, splatters, or droplets of potentially infectious materials may be generated and it can be reasonably anticipated that there may be contamination of eyes, nose, or mouth.  If masks are used for protection from blood or other potentially infectious materials, they may be worn until they are moist; once wet, masks are no longer effective and shall be changed.

E. Housekeeping Practices

1. The workplace shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.  Environmental surfaces that have been in contact with blood or body fluids shall be cleaned and decontaminated with an approved disinfectant immediately or as soon as feasible after contamination. Work surfaces shall be routinely cleaned and immediately or as soon as feasible after any spill  of blood or body fluid.

2. Reusable bins, pails, cans, and similar receptacles which are reasonably likely to become contaminated with blood or other body fluids shall be  decontaminated immediately after clean up of OPIM.

 IV. POST-EXPOSURE EVALUATION/FOLLOW-UP

An employee who suffers an exposure to blood or bodily fluids must report such exposure to 

his/her  supervisor who shall immediately refer the employee to an Occupational Health Facility for a post-exposure evaluation and follow-up.  Upon the return of the employee, an accident report needs to be completed by the supervisor and employee.

 V. COMMUNICATION OF HAZARDOUS INFORMATION TO EMPLOYEES

1. Labels and Signs

   1. Warning labels shall be affixed to containers of regulated waste containing blood or other potentially infectious material.

2. Training    

   1. Employees in classifications that are listed in Category A of Appendix B, (Exposure Determination Worksheet) will be trained at no cost to the employee upon hire and annually thereafter:

   2. How to obtain a copy of the OSHA regulatory text and an explanation of its contents. Explanation of and how to obtain a copy of the West Warwick Public Schools Exposure Control Plan.   Information regarding:

      1. Epidemiology and symptoms of bloodborne diseases;

      2. Ways in which bloodborne pathogens are transmitted;

      3. How to recognize tasks that might result in occupational exposure;

      4. Types, selection, proper use, handling, decontamination, and disposal of personal protective equipment;

      5. Hepatitis B vaccine, e.g., safety, benefits, efficacy, methods of administration, and availability;

      6. How to report an exposure incident and post exposure evaluation and follow-up.

      7. If exposure involves a needle stick, a separate log will be maintained.  It should contain: name, date, status of Hepatitis vaccination, and event.

   3. Specific training individualized to the department and the tasks, responsibilities, and potential for the employee’s risk of occupational exposure.

3. Training of all other employees

   1. All other employees will receive upon hire a copy of the Bloodborne Pathogens Control Plan Policy and will be trained at no cost to the employee  upon hire and annually thereafter:

   2. How to obtain a copy of the OSHA regulatory text and an explanation of its contents.Explanation of and how to obtain a copy of the West Warwick Public Schools Exposure Control Plan.  Information regarding:

      1. Epidemiology and symptoms of bloodborne diseases;

      2. Ways in which bloodborne pathogens are transmitted;

      3. How to recognize tasks that might result in occupational exposure;

      4. Types, selection, proper use, handling, decontamination, and disposal of personal protective equipment;

      5. Hepatitis B vaccine, e.g., safety, benefits, efficacy, methods of administration, and availability;

      6. How to report an exposure incident and post exposure evaluation and follow-up.

      7. If exposure involves a needle stick, a separate log will be maintained. It should contain: name, date, status of Hepatitis vaccination, and event.

VI.  RECORDKEEPING

1. The employer shall maintain the records required for at least the duration of employment plus 30 years.

   1. Medical Records

The employer must establish and maintain an accurate record for each employee with occupational exposure in accordance with 29CFR  1910.20.

2. Confidentiality

   1. The employer will ensure that employee medical records are kept confidential.

3. Training Records

The training records shall include the following information:

1. dates of training sessions

2. contents of training material

3. name and qualifications of trainer

4. name and job titles of all persons attending the training

5. training records shall be maintained for 3 (three) years from the date on which the training occurred.

VI.  COMPLIANCE, REVIEW and UPDATE

1. Principals, Administrators, Directors, Nurses and employees shall comply with this plan.

2. This plan shall be reviewed/revised annually and whenever new or modified tasks and procedures which may involve potential occupational exposure by the affected department are implemented.

References: 

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030

Adoption Date: 

1/2001

Revision Date:

06/10/2020

Reviewed:

12/14/2022