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: (a) The hazard of being infectd by HBV and/or HIV through direct contact with blood or other body fluids. 1. Embalmers were exposed due to lack of use of protective aprons and arm sleevs during embalming. The gowns worn by the embalmers were cloth, not an impervious material, and had sleeves that stopped at the elbow, thus leaving the forarms exposed. (b) The hazard of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. 1. Embalmers were exposed due to lack of a comprehensive infection control program. The infection program did not include the work pratice controls and housekeeping pratices to be used by embalmers to reduce their risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing these hazards, among others are: 1. Requiring the use of protective aprons and the use of protective arm sleevs or imprevious gowns with full length sleeves by embalmers at risk of directly contacting blood another potentially infections body fluids. 2. Establishing and implementing an infection control program that includes the work pratice controls and housekeeping pratices to be used in reducing the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, as required by CPL 2 - 2.44B. 3. Providing training for all employees in the use of personal protective equipment, proper work and housekeeping pratices, and precautionary measures for employee protection against bloodborne pathogens.