Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 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 February 22, 1990, funeral services employees performing embalming, applying cosmetics and dressing of remains were exposed to the hazard 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 Heptitis 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 1985;35:313-24, 329-35. 2) Establishment of a training policy and program for employees (as above) 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 and other associated infectious agents. c) Training regarding Centers for Disease Control Guidelines concerning "Universal Precautions" as it applies to their workpractices e.g., cleaning and disinfection of work tables, equipment and removal vehicles, use of personal protective equipment, laundry and waste disposal. 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). 3) Implementation of engineering controls and workpractices as necessary to reduce risk of contact with blood (e.g., splashes, aerosols, cuts) such as: a) Placement of embalming table drain tube and aspirator discharge below water surface in the embalming sink. b) Covering of embalming sink. c) Maintenance of regulated areas to preclude access of unprotected employees to areas of facility where fixtures, equipment, etc., may be contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials.