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

The alleged violations below have been grouped because they involve similar or related hazards that may increase the potential for illness. 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) On or about January 3, 1991, funeral service employees performing embalming and removals of remains were exposed to hazards of being infected by Hepatitis B virus and/or human immunodeficiency virus through possible direct contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. Feasible abatement methods for 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 offer all such employees Hepatitis B vaccinations in amounts and at times prescribed by standard medical pracatice. Reference: Centers for Disease Control Immunization Practices Advisory Committee: Recommendations for Protection Against Viral Hepatitis. MMWR 1990:39 (No.S2). 2) Establishment of a training policy and program for employees (as above) which includes 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.