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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health 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 blood and body fluids potentially infected with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and/or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): a) Throughout establishment, on or about 12/4/90. Laboratory technicians were exposed to blood and body fluids while performing daily work practices, such as transferring, pipetting, and preparing slides of blood and/or body fluids in that several employees had not received Hepatitis B vaccinations. The hazards of such exposure include, but are not limited to, the onset of clinical symptoms of acute Hepatitis B, anorexia, abdominal pain, jaundice, and the potential for becoming a chronic carrier of the Hepatitis B and/or Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Among other methods, one feasible abatement method to reduce this hazard is to establish and enforce adequate procedures regarding exposure to and handling of blood and body fluids, such as those stipulated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, June 24, 1988, Volume 37, Number 24. Elements essential to an Infection Control Program include at a minimum: Hepatitis B Vaccination. The facility's infection control policy regarding Hepatitis B vaccinations shall address all circumstances warranting such vaccinations and shall identify employees at substantial risk of directly contacting body fluids. All such employees shall be offered Hepatitis B vaccinations free of charge in amounts and at times prescribed by standard medical practices.