Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: BLOODBORNE

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Heath Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to: a) The hazards to employees working with blood and body fluids thus causing or likely to cause employees exposure to and contraction of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and/or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Health care workers exposed include physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, phlebotomists, medical technologists, technicians, housekeeping and maintenance personnel on or about 7/21/89. Feasible abatement methods for reducing this hazard, include but are not limited to: TRAINING AND EDUCATION Training and Education of employees, such as but not limited to, physicians, pathologists, dentists, dental technicians, x-ray technicians, phlebotomists, emergency room, intensive care and operating nurses and technicians, laboratory and blood bank technicians housekeeping personnel, laundry workers, orderlies, morticians, research laboratory workers, paramedics and medical examiners. Such training and education shall be at the time of initial employment and at least annually thereafter. The training materials used shall be appropriate in content and vocabulary to educational level, literacy, and language background of the employees being trained. The Training and Education Program shall contain as a minimum the following elements: I) A general explanation of the modes of transmission of bloodborne pathogens; II) An explanation of the employer's Infection Control Program; III) An explanation of the appropriate methods for recognizing tasks and other activities that may involve exposure to blood or body fluids and other potentially infectious materials; IV) An explanation of the use and limitations of work practices that will prevent or reduce employee exposure, including appropriate engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment; V) An explanation of the basis for selection of personal protective equipment; VI) Information on the Hepatitis B vaccination, including information on its efficacy, safety and the benefits of being vaccinated; VII) Information on the appropriate actions to be taken and the person to contact in an emergency; VIII) An explanation of the procedure to follow if an exposure incident occurs, including the method of reporting the incident and the medical follow-up that will be made available; IX) An explanation of the signs and labels and/or color coding used in the workplace; and X) A copy of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines. The CDC Immunization Practices Advisory Commitee has published its recommendations regarding HBV post-exposure prophylaxis in table format in the June 5, 1985, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. IV) If an employee refuses to submit to the procedures in (b) or (c) above, when such procedures are medically indicated, no adverse action can be taken on that ground alone since the procedures are designed for the benefit of the exposed employee. HANDLING OF LINEN The Infection Control Program shall have identified all laundry operations involving substantial risk of direct exposure to blood or body fluids. Linen soiled with blood or body fluids shall be handled as little as possible and with minimum agitation to prevent contamination of the person handling the linen. All soiled linen shall be bagged at the location where is was used: It shall not be sorted or rinsed in patient-care areas. Soiled lined shall be placed and transported in bags that prevent leakage.