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 are exposed to the hazards of working with blood and body fluids thus causing or likely to cause employee exposure to and contraction of H.B.V. and/or H.I.V.: a) Operatories: Syringes contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials (saliva) are recapped and the employer could not demonstrate that no alternative was feasible or that such action is required by a specific medical procedure. Also, containers for contaminated sharps were not easily accessible to personnel and located as close as is feasible to the immediate area where sharps are used. On or about 6/11/92. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is: Eliminate the policy and practices of recapping used (contaminated) syringes. Move sharps disposal containers into each operatory where sharps are used, so that they are easily accessible for personnel. Require all used (contaminated) sharps to be immediately disposed of in an appropriate container which is located as close as is feasible to the immediate area where sharps are used. b) Establishment: The employer did not make available the Hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination series to all employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (e.g., saliva in dental procedures). On or about 6/11/92. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is: Make available the Hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination series to all employees who have occupational exposure to blood or saliva. The vaccination shall be available at no cost to the employee; make available to the employee at a reasonable time and place; performed by or under the supervision of a licensed physician or another licensed heathcare professional; provided according to current recommendations of the U.S. Public Health Service; provided after employee receives infection control training; provided without making participation in a prescreening program a prerequisite.