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: a) On or about June 11, 1990, radiological technicians and medical technologist were exposed to the hazard of being infected by HBV and/or HIV through possible direct contact with blood or other potentially infectious material i.e., manually recapping needles, opening tubes containing blood, or mucous membrane (splashes to eye, nasal mucosa, or mouth exposure). Feasible abatement methods of reducing this hazard include: 1) Establishment of a Hepatitis B vaccination policy and program which addresses all circumstances warranting such vaccinations and identifies all employees at substantial risk of directly contacting blood or other potentially infectious materials, and offers all such employees Hepatitis B vaccinations in amounts and at times prescribed by standard medical practice. Reference: Centers For Disease Control Immunization Practices Advisory Committee: Recommendations for Protection Against Viral Hepatitis. MMWR 198;35:313-24,329-35. 2) Establishment of a training policy and program for employees which includes: a) Education on Epidemiology, modes of transmission, and prevention of HIV/HBV, b) Counseling regarding potential risks to the fetus from HIV/HBV, c) Training regarding Centers for Disease Control Guidelines concerning "Universal Precautions" as it applies to their workplace, and specifies procedures for workpractices. d) Training about Hepatitis B vaccination program and procedures to be followed and provided if they are exposed to a needle stick or other direct contact with blood or other potentially infectious material. Reference: Centers for Disease Control. Recommendations for Prevention of HIV Transmission in Health-Care Settings: MMWR 1987;36 (suppl. 2S).