2332 R&P

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS EXPOSURE CONTROL PROCEDURES

2332 R&P

3032 R&P

3032 R&P

4032 R&P

4032 R&P

1.0

HUMAN RESOURCES EMPLOYEE HEALTH OFFICER - The Human Resources Employee Health Officer (hereinafter referred to as "health officer") for the Wake County Public School System shall be responsible for the development, implementation, and appropriate updating of a Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan in conformity with applicable state and federal occupational safety and health regulations and in conformity with this regulation and procedure.

2.0

DEFINITION OF "POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS MATERIALS" - As used herein, "potentially infectious materials" shall mean human blood, human blood components, products made from human blood, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluids visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids.

3.0

EXPOSURE CONTROL DETERMINATION - As a part of the Exposure Control Plan, the health officer shall evaluate the work environment in the Wake County Public School System and prepare a written Exposure Determination which identifies those job classifications in which all or some employees have occupational exposure to potentially infectious materials and which further identifies the work tasks and procedures in which such occupational exposure occurs.

4.0

METHODS OF COMPLIANCE - As part of the Exposure Control Plan, the health officer shall develop appropriate measures to protect employees engaged in work activities from exposure to pathogenic organisms carried in potentially infectious materials.  These measures shall include universal precautions, work practice controls, the provision of personal protective equipment, and housekeeping standards.

4.1 Universal Precautions — The Exposure Control Plan shall mandate that, under circumstances in which differentiation between body fluids is difficult or impossible, all body fluids shall be considered potentially infectious materials.

4.2 Work Practice Controls — The health officer shall determine, and the Exposure Control Plan shall specify, methods of performing work tasks and specific restrictions in the work place that reduce the likelihood of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

4.3 Personal Protective Equipment — The health officer shall determine, and the Exposure Control Plan shall specify, those situations in which occupational exposure to potentially infectious materials remains even after the institution of work practice controls.  For those situations, the Exposure Control Plan shall require the use of personal protective equipment (such as gloves, face shields, masks, eye protection, etc.), which shall be provided by the Wake County Public School System at no cost to the employee.

4.4 Housekeeping Standards — The health officer shall determine appropriate standards and methods for the periodic cleaning and decontamination of work stations in which there is occupational exposure to potentially infectious materials.

5.0

HEPATITIS B VACCINATION PROGRAM - The Exposure Control Plan shall mandate that the Wake County Public School System provide the Hepatitis B vaccination series free-of-charge to all employees in job classifications with occupational exposure.  The Exposure Control Plan shall further provide that each employee receiving or declining the vaccination be required to sign an appropriate form indicating that decision.

6.0

POST-EXPOSURE FOLLOW-UP - The Exposure Control Plan shall provide for medical testing and follow-up as required by law by an appropriately licensed health care professional following each reported incident of eye, mouth, mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or skin-piercing exposure to potentially infectious material.  The Exposure Control Plan shall provide for identification and testing of the individual who was the source of the potentially infectious material and for testing of the exposed employee, as required under state and federal law.  Post-exposure medical treatment and follow-up as required by applicable state and federal regulations shall be provided to employees free-of-charge.

7.0

EMPLOYEE TRAINING - The health officer shall develop and the Exposure Control Plan shall provide for appropriate training on the transmission of bloodborne pathogens for all employees in job classifications determined to have occupational exposure to potentially infectious materials.  Training shall also include effective ways to minimize contact with infectious materials and procedures to be followed in the event of accidental exposure.  The Exposure Control Plan shall specify that training will be provided to an employee within ten (10) days of assignment to a job classification in which there is occupational exposure to potentially infectious material and shall be reviewed and/or updated at least annually.

8.0

MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS - The health officer shall be responsible for maintaining all medical records as specified under law for the duration of employment plus thirty (30) years and for maintaining the appropriate records of employee training for three (3) years from the date of training.

9.0

ACCESSIBILITY OF EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN - The health officer shall ensure that the Exposure Control Plan is accessible to all employees and a copy maintained in each school and department.

10.0

EMPLOYEES TO COMPLY WITH PLAN - It shall be the responsibility of each employee to familiarize himself or herself with the Exposure Control Plan and to comply with the dictates and provisions of the plan.  Any employee who fails to follow the provisions of the plan shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Issued: March 15, 1993

Revised:    September 27, 1999