Text For Citation: 02 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 the following conditions which increase the risk of employees contracting blood-borne diseases: Appropriate post exposure evaluation and follow-up procedures were not implemented for the following employees: a) In the central sterilization area, a dental assistant who was punctured with a blood-contaminated instrument while removing instruments from the ultrasonic cleaner. b) In the central sterilization area, a dental hygienist who was punctured with a blood-contaminated instrument while scrubbing in the sink. In accordance with recommended practices from the CDC's guidelines for protection from blood-borne diseases, feasible methods of abatement include, but are not limited to: 1) Implement a determination and documentation of the exposure incident describing: - route of exposure - source patient's antibody status (positive, negative or unknown) - circumstances under which exposure occurred. 2) Request permission from the source patient for antigen/antibody testing HBV or HIV infection status. Such testing is voluntary for the source patient. 3) Offer blood collection and antibody testing to the exposed employee as soon as possible after the exposure incident. Blood testing is voluntary for the employee. Actual antibody/antigen testing may be done at the time of collection or at a later date if the employee so requests. Follow-up testing should be continued according to current standard medical procedures. 4) Provide counseling and illness reporting advice to the exposed employee. 5) Make available information on the exposed employee's job duties as relates to the exposure and on the exposure incident to the evaluating physician. Any medical assessment or written opinion from the evaluating physician must be kept as a medical record, with a copy made available to the employee within 15 working days.