Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Plan (5000:15:04)

Print this Page

PURPOSE

To protect students and employees, the College will maintain a plan to address training and procedures to be used in controlling the threat of exposure to bloodborne pathogens as a standard part of their educational program or position responsibilities. The plan is to comply with the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration standards.

SCOPE

All students and employees who can reasonably expect to be exposed to bloodborne pathogens as a standard of their educational program or position responsibilities will receive training on dealing with their anticipated exposure and will be issued appropriate protective equipment.

RESPONSIBILITY

Because different divisions/departments and their employees have exposure to different bloodborne pathogens, it is necessary that each division/department determine the procedures, training, and equipment needed to be in compliance with federal regulations and standards and college practices that are appropriate for their activities.

Division Chairs and Department heads need to be aware of the types of exposures anticipated in their area and the appropriate training and preventive measures required to deal with them. It is recommended that divisions and departments adopt the Casper College Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan as their standard practice.

The Director of Student Health Services is responsible for maintaining and disseminating information regarding federal and state regulations regarding bloodborne pathogens and for providing consultation and assistance relative to compliance measures.

DEFINITIONS

Bloodborne Pathogens: Pathogenic micro-organisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These include, but are not limited to, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV).

Occupational Exposure: Reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane or parental contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that result from the performance of an employee’s duties.

Other Potential Infectious Materials:

1. The following human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids;

2. Any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human (living or dead);

3. HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures, organ cultures, and HIV or HBV-containing culture medium or other solutions; and blood, organs or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV.

PROCEDURE

All blood or other potentially infectious materials will be considered infectious regardless of the perceived status of the source individual. If presented with an emergency, use protective devices as available (gloves, goggles, face protection, gowns, etc). Improvise protection if necessary with available materials such as plastic bags, etc.

JOB CLASSIFICATIONS DETERMINED TO HAVE RISK OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE

The following job classifications have been identified as having risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

• Athletic Department Trainers: May be exposed while administering minor first aid or CPR.
• Biology/Microbiology Instructors: May be exposed during labs dealing with blood and other potentially infectious materials, dissection with sharps/scalpels.
• Campus Security: May be exposed while administering minor first aid and CPR to an accident or crime scene victim, while investigating a disturbance or crime report and while attempting to detain a suspect.
• Custodians: May be exposed when cleaning up blood, cleaning rest room facilities and through contact with trash receptacles.
• Family Resource Center Staff: May be exposed when changing diapers, tending to a sick child, cleaning vomit, administering minor first aid or CPR.
• Nursing Instructors: Teach in a hospital or clinic setting and are exposed to blood, needles and other body fluids. Exposure may also occur during CPR.
• Radiology Instructors: Work in a hospital or clinic setting and are exposed to blood, needles, and other body fluids. Exposure may also occur during CPR.
• Residence Hall Directors: Are frequently the “first responder” to a first-aid or emergency situation in the Residence Halls.
• Student Health: Work in a clinic setting and is exposed to blood, needles, and other body fluids. Exposure may also occur during CPR.

If a Casper College entity develops its own practice, the following elements must be considered:

• Engineering controls
• Work place controls
• Personal protective equipment
• Labels and signs
• Housekeeping
• Regulation of waste
• Laundry
• Hepatitis B. Vaccine
• Training
• Record keeping

Specifics relating to each of these items are covered in the Casper College Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan.