The District has established an exposure control program designed to prevent and control exposure to bloodborne pathogens, toxic substances and hazardous waste. It will follow the standards established by the New York State Department of Labor’s Division of Safety and Health and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan
The District’s Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan will include scope and application, definitions, exposure control, methods of compliance, universal precautions, vaccination, post-exposure evaluation, follow-up, communication of hazards to employees, and recordkeeping.
Clean-up and Exposure to Bodily Fluids
The New York State Health Department has indicated the need for a procedure regarding the clean-up of body fluids in the event of an accident. Of particular concern is the cleaning of blood, but precautions should be taken for all body fluids. The following must be adhered to:
When assisting a person who is bleeding, non-latex gloves must be worn at all times to prevent contact with blood or other bodily fluids when treating or cleaning cuts, scrapes, abrasions, etc. or spills of blood or other bodily fluids. Preferably, treating or cleaning cuts, scrapes and abrasions would be accomplished by the school nurse. Body fluid clean-up will be conducted by custodial staff or the school nurse.
All articles in contact with body fluid must be disposed of in a plastic bag. When cleaning body fluids, wear gloves and use chemical germicides (always including 10% bleach or disinfectant). The use of dry powder to coagulate the substance is permitted.
Use of the sewer is acceptable for the disposal of body fluid waste, including feces.
Disposable trash liners will be used in the nurse’s office and changed daily by the custodial staff.
Mops and reusable items used to clean up spills must be disinfected with the bleach solution and washed out before reuse or being stored.
Personal non-disposable items must be cleaned with warm, soapy water and then disinfected with the bleach solution before reused or being stored. It is recommended that all non-disposable items should be bagged until they can be cleaned.
All persons must wash their hands with soap and water after cleaning up any spill of blood or other bodily fluid.
Each building will have a supply of non-latex gloves, bleach solution and plastic bags (Emergency Sanitation Kit) maintained by custodial staff
All required materials (i.e. plastic bags, Emergency Sanitation Kits) will be purchased by the District and dispensed through the building custodial staff.
Handling of Toxic Substances/Hazardous Waste
The management of hazardous waste from its point of generation to the ultimate disposal is regulated under specific federal and state laws. The Toxic Substances/Hazardous Waste Program will include:
Maintaining current records of the name, address and other req of every employee who handles or uses toxic substances, and which substance(s) were handled or used by the employee.
Making such records available to each affected employee, former employee, designated physician or representative, and the Commissioner of Health, upon request, for examination and copying.
Adopting rules to ensure District implementation of applicable federal and state laws pertaining to the maintenance of records, identification, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes.
Staff members will be provided with annual training to comply with the New York State “Right-to-Know” law and the Hazard Communication Standard.
These procedures will be posted in the health office, faculty room(s), principal’s office, athletic director’s office, gymnasium, cafeteria, locker room, and custodian’s area.
Adoption date: February 13, 2023
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