Bloodborne Pathogens

Exposure Control Plan

Contacts:

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources --- Randy Vaughn 864-941-5405

Worker’s Compensation Coordinator --- Rebecca Duncan 864-941-5418

Lead Nurse --- Nancy Moore, RN 864-941-5460 or Ext. 21571

Attachments:

1. Greenwood School District 50 BBP Training Documentation Form (Front and Back)

2. Hepatitis B Vaccine Acknowledgement Form

3. Report of Suspected BBP Exposure Incident Form

4. Occupational Exposure to BBP (Flow Chart)

Greenwood School District 50

Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan

INTRODUCTION

Greenwood School District 50 is committed to providing a safe and healthful work environment for our entire staff. Our Exposure Control Plan has been developed to comply with the regulations defined in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) final standard and the Infectious Waste Management Rules of South Carolina Dept of Health and Environmental Control (R.61-105). The primary purpose of this Federal Standard is to eliminate or minimize on-the-job exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials, which could result in the transmission of bloodborne pathogens, and lead to disease or death. The major pathogens are the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The Waste Management Rules of South Carolina determine proper disposal methods of items that are contaminated with blood and other potentially infectious materials.

This Exposure Control Plan addresses responsibilities, definitions of terms, exposure determination, methods of compliance and safe work practices, the Hepatitis B vaccination, post-exposure evaluation and follow-up, communication of hazards to employees, recordkeeping, and surveillance. All employees shall comply with the guidelines of this plan. Any employee who fails to follow the provisions of the Exposure Control Plan shall be retrained and may be subject to personnel counseling and/or discipline.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources shall ensure that:

§ The Exposure Control Plan is developed, implemented, reviewed annually, and updated as needed in conformity with applicable state and federal OSHA regulations and SC waste management laws.

§ Contents of the Exposure Control Plan are conveyed to employees.

§ Policies and procedures are established to minimize employees’ risk of exposure to BBP and protect employees’ safety.

Building Principals/Administrators shall ensure that:

§ Appropriate housekeeping standards are developed and met for the cleaning and decontamination of work areas where there is potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).

§ Appropriate personal protective equipment is adequately maintained and accessible.

§ All employees at their site receive annual Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) training and documentation of training is maintained for 3 years.

§ Employees who are identified as being at risk for occupational exposure are offered the Hepatitis B vaccine within 10 working days of initial assignment.

§ Employees comply with the Exposure Control Plan and noncompliance issues are addressed.

§ The Exposure Control Plan is reviewed annually, updated when information is received and employees are informed of any changes.

§ Incident Reports are completed for employees who have BBP exposure incidents.

§ Occupational exposure incidents are reported to the District’s BBP Exposure Coordinator.

§ Employees incurring exposures receive appropriate assistance, medical evaluation and follow-up.

§ Circumstances surrounding exposure incidents are evaluated and corrective actions to prevent future incidents are initiated.

§ All employee reports of unsafe conditions or potential safety hazards are investigated and resolved appropriately.

The District Lead Nurse shall:

§ Coordinate the administration of the Hepatitis B vaccine for eligible employees or assure the Hepatitis B Vaccination Declination form is signed if indicated.

§ Assure physician’s orders to administer the Hepatitis B vaccine as well as emergency medications for the management of anaphylactic reactions that may occur are reviewed and updated annually and that necessary supplies to administer medicines are available.

§ Submit records of Hepatitis B vaccination to Human Resources to be maintained in the employee’s record.

§ Post-exposure medical evaluation and follow-up procedures are followed.

§ Medical records are established and confidentially maintained.

§ Contaminated sharps disposal standards are met.

§ Conduct annual OSHA BBP training updates to School Nurses and others who may provide BBP training at school sites.

§ Annually review engineering and work practice controls for their effectiveness.

§ Act as resource for administration regarding BBP, exposures, or compliance issues.

BBP Exposure Coordinator shall:

§ Coordinate medical appointments and follow up appointments for employees who incur an exposure incident

§ Maintain OSHA reporting and logs according to the Federal Standard

§ Coordinates billing of physician visits and lab work related to exposure incidents.

§ Conduct quarterly District safety meetings.

Director of Transportation shall: (In addition to those items listed for Building Principal/Administrator)

§ Assure Blood Spill Kits and appropriate PPE are properly used, maintained, and easily accessible on buses and school vehicles

Employees shall:

§ Obtain mandatory Bloodborne Pathogens Training annually and when notified of updates.

§ Perform all duties in compliance with the Exposure Control Plan.

§ Make and/or keep appointments at the specified intervals for vaccination administration, if accepting the Hepatitis B vaccination series.

§ Immediately report any occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials to their supervisor.

§ Report any potential safety hazards to their supervisor.

DEFINITIONS

DEFINITIONS: For purposes of this plan, the following shall apply

“At-risk employees” means employees identified as being at risk for occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials.

“Blood and Body Fluids” means liquid blood, serum, plasma, and other blood products, emulsified human tissue, spinal fluids and pleural and peritoneal fluids.

“Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP)” means pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

“Collateral Exposure” means occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials as a consequence of collateral job duty (coincidental to the primary job duties).

“Contaminated” means the presence or the reasonably anticipated presence of blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item or surface.

“Contaminated Laundry” means laundry that has been soiled with blood or other potentially infectious materials.

“Contaminated Sharps” means any contaminated object that can penetrate the skin including, but not limited to, needles, scalpels, broken glass.

“Decontamination” means the use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate, or destroy bloodborne pathogens on a surface or item to the point where they are no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles and the item is rendered safe for handling, use, or disposal.

“Engineering Controls” means controls (e.g., sharps disposal containers, self-sheathing needles, safer medical devices, such as sharps with engineered sharps injury protections and needleless systems) that isolate or remove the bloodborne pathogens hazard from the workplace.

“Exposure Incident” means a specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials, which results from the performance of an employee’s duties.

“Good Samaritan Acts” means rendering assistance to accident victims and other exposures that cannot be anticipated. These do not constitute occupational exposure.

“Handwashing Facilities” means a facility providing an adequate supply of running potable water, soap and single use towels or hot air drying machines.

“Infectious Waste” means items that are “supersaturated” (see definition) with blood or other potentially infectious materials; contaminated items that would release blood or other potentially infectious materials in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed; contaminated sharps.

“Licensed Healthcare Professional” is a person whose legally permitted scope of practice allows him or her to independently perform the activities required for Hepatitis B vaccination and post-exposure evaluation and follow-up.

“HBV” means Hepatitis B virus.

“HCV” means Hepatitis C virus.

“HIV” means Human Immunodeficiency virus, the virus that can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

“Initial BBP Training” means Bloodborne Pathogens training required for all employees employed by Greenwood School District 50. This training is usually performed during new employee orientations.

“Needleless Systems” means a device that does not use needles for (1) the collection of bodily fluids or withdrawal of body fluids after initial venous or arterial access is established, (2) the administration of medication or fluids, or (3) any other procedure involving the potential for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens due to percutaneous injuries from contaminated sharps.

“Occupational Exposure” means reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee’s duties.

“Other Potentially Infectious Materials” means (1) the following human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal 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.

“Parenteral” means piercing mucous membranes or the skin barrier through such events as needle sticks, human bites, cuts, and abrasions.

“Personal Protective Equipment” is specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against a hazard. General work clothes (e.g., uniforms, pants, shirts or blouses) not intended to function as protection against a hazard are not considered to be personal protective equipment.

“Reasonably Anticipated” means an individual has reason to believe that exposure will occur while performing a task required by his or her job description.

“Red Biohazard Bag” refers to the bag used for disposal of infectious waste (20 ml. of blood or more in a container, such as a suction container; contaminated items that would release blood or other potentially infectious materials in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed.

“Regulated Waste” means liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials; contaminated items that would release blood or other potentially infectious materials in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed; items that are caked with dried blood or other potentially infectious materials and are capable of releasing these materials during handling; contaminated sharps; and pathological and microbiological wastes containing blood or other potentially infectious materials.

“Sharps” means any discarded article that may compromise intact skin by causing punctures or cuts, including but not limited to: needles, syringes, lancets, broken glass, and scalpel blades.

“Sharps with Engineered Sharps Injury Protections” means a nonneedle sharp or a needle device used for withdrawing body fluids, accessing a vein or artery, or administering medications or other fluids, with a built-in safety feature or mechanism that effectively reduces the risk of an exposure incident.

“Small Waste Generator” is a term given to facility, such as Greenwood School District 50 who produces less than 50 pounds per month of regulated or infectious waste.

“Source Individual” means any individual whose blood or other potentially infectious materials may be a source of occupational exposure to the employee.

“Sterilize” means the use of a physical or chemical procedure to destroy all microbial life including highly resistant bacterial endospores.

"Supersaturated material" means any material that contains enough fluid so that it freely drips that fluid or if lightly squeezed, fluid would drip from it.

“Universal Precautions” is an approach to infection control. According to the concept of Universal Precautions, all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for HBV, HCV, HIV, and other bloodborne pathogens.

“Work Practice Controls” means controls that reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the manner in which a task is performed (e.g., prohibiting recapping of needles by a two-handed technique).

EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

These guidelines apply to all employees in Greenwood School District 50. A copy of this plan shall be made accessible to all employees on the district’s website, in Human Resources and at each building site. Every new employee will review the plan during their orientation and employees shall review the plan at least annually. The ECP shall be referenced in all BBP training events.

The Exposure Control Plan shall be reviewed and updated at least annually and whenever necessary to reflect changes in at-risk job categories, tasks, and procedures. The review and update shall also reflect changes in technology that eliminate or reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens, updates in the state and federal OSHA BBP final standard and South Carolina’s Waste Management Rules.

EXPOSURE DETERMINATION

The work environment shall be evaluated to determine the actual and potential hazards for exposure to bloodborne pathogens. An exposure determination list identifying job classifications that have actual and collateral risk for occupational exposure has been made. Tasks have been identified and examined with recommendations made on how to reduce the potential of exposure to blood or other infectious materials through workplace controls, personal protective equipment, or other methods. Exposure determination has been made without regard to the use of personal protective equipment.

Employees listed in “at-risk” job categories are those who because of their usual duties might be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious fluids as part of performing occupational tasks. Therefore, it is reasonable to anticipate that exposure may occur. The list may not be all-inclusive for exposure determination. Employees not included in the list who believe they are at risk for occupational exposure may request an exposure determination from their Building Administrator.

Job Categories considered “At-Risk”: (Employees in these categories will be offered the Hepatitis B vaccine)

§ Athletic Directors/Trainers/Coaches

§ Bus Drivers/Monitors

§ Case Managers

§ Custodians

§ First Responders (Those who are assigned to provide coverage in the school’s Health Room)

§ Guidance Counselors

§ Health Occupations Instructors

§ Maintenance Personnel

§ Members of the school or Building’s Code Blue Team

§ Physical Education Teachers/Assistants

§ Principals and Assistant Principals

§ School Administrators - if responsible for discipline

§ School Nurses

§ School Psychologists

§ Special Education Teachers of EMD, TMD, PMD, ED and their assistants

§ Speech Therapists

§ Career Center Teachers working with potentially dangerous machinery

Job Categories with “Potential” for exposure (For persons in these job categories, the Building Administrator may request the Hepatitis B vaccination series be offered to the employee.)

Shadow positions (assigned to particular students)

Art Teachers (who may work with sharps such as sewing needles)

School Secretary (who may provide coverage for the school’s Health Room)

Biology/Chemistry Lab Teachers (who may work with sharps such as scalpels)

Teachers of BIC or ISS

The Hepatitis B vaccine shall be offered to any unvaccinated employee on a post- exposure basis. It shall be offered immediately and within 24 hours of the exposure incident. Employees who decline the Hepatitis B vaccine must sign the Hepatitis B Vaccination Declination form.

METHODS OF COMPLIANCE AND SAFE WORK PRACTICES

Universal precautions shall be observed to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. All body fluids shall be considered potentially infectious materials.

Engineering and work practice controls shall be used to eliminate or minimize employee exposure. Where occupational exposure remains after institution of these controls, personal protective equipment shall also be used. Engineering controls shall be examined and maintained or replaced on a regular schedule to ensure their effectiveness. Examples of engineering controls are sharps containers and safety needle devices.

Hand washing facilities shall be readily accessible to employees if feasible. When provision of hand washing facilities is not feasible, such as on school buses, an appropriate antiseptic hand cleanser in conjunction with clean cloth/paper towels or antiseptic towelettes shall be provided. After using antiseptic cleansers or towelettes, employees shall wash their hands with soap and water as soon as possible.

Hands shall be thoroughly washed between direct student contacts, after handling soiled or contaminated items and equipment, prior to gloving, and immediately after gloves or other personal protective equipment are removed. Hands and other skin surfaces shall be washed with soap and water and mucous membranes flushed with water immediately or as soon as feasible following contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.

Contaminated sharps shall be handled with caution. Contaminated needles and other sharps shall not be bent, recapped, or removed unless the employee can demonstrate that no alternative is feasible or that such action is required by a specific medical procedure. Such bending, recapping or needle removal must be accomplished through the use of a mechanical device or a one-handed technique. Shearing or breaking of contaminated needles is prohibited. Broken glass that may be contaminated should only be handled using mechanical means, such as a brush and dustpan, tongs, or forceps. Immediately or as soon as possible after use, contaminated sharps shall be placed in appropriate containers for disposal. These containers shall be puncture resistant, leak proof on the sides and bottom, and labeled with the biohazard warning symbol. Appropriate Sharps Containers are located in each school’s Health Room and are checked regularly by the school nurse and are replaced before becoming over-filled.

Activities likely to produce self-contamination such as eating, drinking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, and handling contact lenses shall be avoided in work areas where there is a reasonable likelihood of occupational exposure. Food and drink shall not be kept in refrigerators, freezers, shelves, and cabinets or on countertops where blood or other potentially infectious materials are present. All procedures involving blood or other potentially infectious materials shall be performed in such a manner as to minimize splashing, spraying, spattering, and generation of droplets of these substances. Mouth pipetting/suctioning of blood or other potentially infectious materials is prohibited.

Specimens of blood or other potentially infectious materials shall be placed in a container that prevents leakage during collection, handling, processing, storage, or transport. A readily observable biohazard warning label shall be attached on the container. Outside agencies providing services such as wellness and volunteer blood donation involving the collection and transportation of specimens shall be responsible for complying with the federal and state OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens regulations.

Equipment that may become contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials shall be examined prior to servicing or shipping and shall be decontaminated as necessary. If decontamination of equipment or portions of equipment is not feasible, a readily observable biohazard warning label shall be attached to the equipment stating which portions remain contaminated. This information shall be conveyed to all affected employees, the servicing representative, and/or the manufacturer, as appropriate prior to handling, servicing, or shipping so necessary precautions will be taken.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Provision: Where there is occupational exposure, Greenwood School District 50 shall provide, at no cost to the employee, appropriate personal protective equipment, such as, but not limited to, gloves, gowns, face shields or masks, eye protection, mouthpieces, resuscitation devices, pocket masks or other ventilation devices. Personal protective equipment will be considered appropriate only if it does not permit blood or other potentially infectious materials to pass through to or reach the employee’s work clothes, street clothes, undergarments, skin, eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes under normal conditions of use and for the duration of time in which the protective equipment will be used.

Use: Greenwood School District 50 shall ensure that the employees use appropriate PPE unless it is shown that the employee temporarily and briefly declined to use PPE when, under rare and extraordinary circumstances, it was the employee’s professional judgment that in the specific instance its use would have prevented the delivery of health care or public safety services or would have posed an increased hazard to the safety of the worker or co-worker. When the employee makes this judgment, the circumstances shall be investigated and documented in order to determine whether changes can be instituted to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Accessibility: Appropriate PPE shall be readily accessible to employees. Hypoallergenic gloves, glove liners, and powderless gloves, or other similar alternatives shall be accessible to employees allergic to the gloves normally provided.

Repair and replacement: Greenwood School District 50 shall, at no cost to the employee, repair or replace PPE as needed to maintain its effectiveness. Any garment that is penetrated by blood or other potentially infectious materials shall be removed immediately or as soon as feasible and placed in a leak proof plastic bag.

Removal and disposal: All PPE shall be removed prior to leaving the work area. Contaminated gloves shall be removed immediately after use using the proper removal technique. The PPE must be changed between each individual use and after use in other settings to avoid transmission of organisms to the environment or to other individuals. When PPE is removed it shall be placed in a leak proof plastic bag.

Gloves: Gloves shall be worn when it can be reasonably anticipated that hand contact may occur with blood, other potentially infectious materials, mucous membranes or non-intact skin, performance of vascular access procedures or handling of contaminated items or surfaces. Gloves shall be worn when the employee has cuts, scratches, or other broken skin. Additionally, employees with cuts, scratches, or other broken skin shall cover the exposed skin with an appropriate covering such as a protective band-aid or gauze dressing.

Disposable (single use) gloves shall be replaced as soon as practical when contaminated or as soon as feasible if they are torn, punctured or when their ability to function as a barrier is compromised. Disposable (single use) gloves shall not be washed or decontaminated for reuse. Utility gloves may be decontaminated for reuse if the integrity of the glove is not compromised. However, they must be discarded if they are cracked, peeling, torn, punctured, or exhibit other signs of deterioration or when their ability to function as a barrier is compromised.

Masks, eye protection, and face shields: Masks in combination with eye protection devices, such as goggles or glasses with solid side shields, or chin-length face shields, shall be worn whenever splashes, spray, splatter, or droplets of blood or other potentially infectious materials may be generated and eye, nose, or mouth contamination can be reasonably anticipated.

Gowns, aprons, and other protective body clothing: Appropriate protective clothing such as but not limited to, gowns, aprons, lab coats, clinic jackets, or similar outer garments shall be worn in situations involving occupational exposure. The type and characteristics shall depend upon the task and degree of exposure anticipated. Surgical caps or hoods and/or shoe covers or boots shall be worn in instances when gross contamination can reasonably be anticipated.

Resuscitation devices: Mouthpieces or pocket masks for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, bag-valve-mask devices, or other resuscitation devices shall be available to prevent oral fluids or blood from coming in contact with the provider of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or other ventilatory support. Resuscitation devices are maintained in each site’s Emergency Bag and checked at least annually and replaced as needed by the school nurse.

Housekeeping

Each work site shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. The Building Principal/Administrator shall provide an appropriate written schedule for cleaning and method of decontamination based upon the facility, types of surface to be cleaned, type of soil present, and tasks or procedures being performed in the area

All equipment and work surfaces shall be cleaned and decontaminated immediately after contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials with an appropriate disinfectant.

Reusable sharps that are contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials shall not be stored or processed in a manner that requires employees to reach by hand into the containers where these sharps have been placed.

Disposal of routine waste

To minimize risk of exposure, gloves shall be worn when handling waste.

Diapers soiled with urine and/or feces are not regulated medical waste and may be disposed as general solid waste.

Sanitary pads, used dressings, bandages, tissues, etc, unless they are supersaturated, can be disposed of as solid waste.

Disposal of regulated medical waste

South Carolina’s infectious waste management rules shall be followed. Greenwood School District 50 has been granted Small Waste Generator status and the certificate is on file with the Superintendent of Human Resources and the District’s Lead Nurse. SC DHEC’s regulations regarding regulated medical waste can be found at: www.scdhec.gov Regulation R.61-105

Contaminated Sharps

Contaminated sharps shall be discarded immediately or as soon as feasible in containers that are closable, puncture resistant, leak proof on sides and bottom and appropriately labeled with the biohazard warning symbol.

During use, containers for contaminated sharps shall be easily accessible to personnel and located as closely as possible to the immediate area where sharps are used or can be reasonably anticipated to be found. They shall be maintained upright throughout use, replaced when necessary, and not be allowed to overfill.

When moving containers of contaminated sharps from the area of use, the containers shall be closed immediately prior to removal or replacement to prevent spillage or protrusion of contents during handling, storage, transport, or shipping. If leakage of the primary container is possible, this container shall be placed in a secondary container that is closable, constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage during handling, storage, transport, or shipping, and labeled or color-coded with the biohazard warning symbol.

Reusable sharps containers shall not be opened, emptied, or cleaned manually or in any other manner which would expose employees to the risk of percutaneous injury.

The filled sharps container shall be placed in a closable, leak proof container labeled with a biohazard warning symbol and disinfected according to SC DHEC’s regulations.

Contaminated Laundry

Contaminated laundry shall be handled using universal precautions and minimal agitation. It shall be placed in plastic, leak proof bags or containers labeled with the biohazard warning symbol at the location where it was used and should not be sorted or rinsed in the area of use. Contaminated laundry that is wet and presents a reasonable likelihood of soak-through or leakage from the bag or container shall be placed and transported in properly labeled bags or containers that prevent soak-through and/or leakage of fluids to the exterior. A red bag with the biohazard warning symbol may be used. Although contaminated laundry must be handled more carefully and stored in properly labeled bags, it can be washed with the regular laundry using hot water.

Student clothing that becomes contaminated with blood and other potentially infectious materials while at school shall be removed as soon as possible and placed in a leakproof plastic bag for transport home.

HEPATITIS B VACCINATION,

POST-EXPOSURE EVALUATION

AND FOLLOW-UP

Greenwood School District 50 shall make available the Hepatitis B vaccination series to all employees who are in job categories at risk of occupational exposure and post-exposure evaluation and follow-up to all employees who have had an exposure incident.

The Hepatitis B vaccination series and post-exposure evaluation and follow-up, including prophylaxis, shall be made available at no cost to the employee, at a reasonable time and place; performed by or under the supervision of a licensed health care provider; and provided according to recommendations of the U.S. Public Health Service. An accredited laboratory shall conduct all laboratory tests at no cost to the employee. Hepatitis B vaccination records shall be kept in the employee’s record in the Human Resources Dept.

Hepatitis B vaccine for employees at risk for occupational exposure

Employees at risk for occupational exposure (who have not previously received the complete Hepatitis B vaccination series, had antibody testing revealing Hepatitis B immunity, or have medical contraindications) may sign to accept the Hepatitis B vaccination at the Required BBP Training during Employee Orientation. Vaccination shall be offered within 10 working days of initial assignment. If the employee initially declines Hepatitis B vaccination but at a later date while still covered under the standard decides to accept the vaccination, Greenwood School District 50 shall make available Hepatitis B vaccination at that time. Documentation of previous vaccination series or antibody testing must be provided to the School’s Nurse or District’s Lead Nurse. Information about the Hepatitis B vaccine shall be given to each employee and discussed during the Required BBP Training session. (See Handout) Employees accepting the Hepatitis B vaccinations shall be responsible for making and/or keeping appointments at the specified intervals for vaccination administration by contacting the District’s Lead Nurse or District’s designee.

Employees who decline the Hepatitis B vaccination must sign the Hepatitis B Vaccination Declination. Employees who have received prior vaccinations shall provide documentation of the vaccination series, or sign the Hepatitis B Vaccination Declination.

Hepatitis B vaccine for employees having collateral exposure

The Hepatitis B vaccine shall be offered to unvaccinated employees having collateral occupational exposure on a post-incident basis and within 24 hours of the exposure. Collateral exposure means occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials as a consequence of collateral job duty (coincidental to the primary job duties).

Hepatitis B vaccine for contract workers

Greenwood School District 50 shall not be responsible for the provision of the Hepatitis B vaccine to persons contracted to perform services for the school system.

Post-exposure: evaluation and follow-up

All exposure incidents shall be reported, investigated, and documented. Following a report of an exposure incident, the exposed employee shall:

§ Immediately wash/flush as appropriate the exposed site.

§ Seek/receive first aid as indicated.

§ Report the incident to their immediate supervisor/Building Principal/Administrator

§ The Supervisor shall immediately notify the District’s BBP Exposure Coordinator or District’s Lead Nurse and assist the employee in completing the BBP Exposure Incident Report.

§ The source individual’s blood shall be tested as soon as feasible in order to determine HBV and HIV infectivity. Testing may occur at Piedmont Health Group, the District’s designated Health Care Provider, or at the source individual’s Health Care Provider. The District’s Lead Nurse or BBP Exposure Coordinator can facilitate the coordination of the source individual’s testing and communication of results. Consent for testing should be obtained. If consent is not obtained, the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources shall establish that legally required consent cannot be obtained. When the source individual’s consent is not required by law, the source individual’s blood shall be tested and the results documented. When the source individual is already known to be infected with HBV or HIV, tested need not be repeated. Results of the source individual’s testing shall be made available to the Health Care Provider and the exposed employee.

§ As soon as practicable following completion of the BBP Exposure Incident Report, Greenwood School District 50 shall make available a confidential medical evaluation at Piedmont Health Group including the following elements:

o Exposed employee’s identification data.

o Documentation of the type, route, and circumstances of the exposure.

o Identity of the Source individual, unless impossible or prohibited by law.

o Hepatitis B vaccination dates, if any.

o Result/status of source individual’s blood testing.

o A written description of the employee’s duties as they relate to the exposure.

o A copy of OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens final standard 29 CFR 1910.1030

o A copy of Greenwood School District 50’s Exposure Control Plan

Health Care Provider’s Written Opinion:

§ The physician at Piedmont Health Group shall assess the employee’s exposure and determine if an exposure incident has occurred as defined by OSHA.

§ The District’s BBP Exposure Coordinator shall obtain and provide a copy to the employee of the Health Care Provider’s written opinion within 15 days of the completion of the medical evaluation.

§ The Health Care Provider’s written opinion shall be limited to the following information:

o Whether the Hepatitis B vaccine is indicated for the exposed employee and if the employee received the vaccine

o The exposed employee has been informed of the results of the evaluation

o The exposed employee has been told of any medical conditions resulting from exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials which require further evaluation or treatment

o All other findings or diagnoses shall remain confidential and shall not be included in the written report.

Medical records for employees who incur occupational BBP exposures shall be established by the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and confidentially maintained for the duration of the exposed employee’s employment plus 30 years. The record shall include:

§ Name and social security number of the exposed employee.

§ A copy of the employee’s Hepatitis B vaccination status, including dates of vaccination.

§ A copy of the information provided to the Health Care Provider regarding the exposure.

§ A copy of the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Report form.

§ A copy of all results of examinations, medical testing, and follow-up procedures.

§ A copy of the physician’s written opinion.

The District’s BBP Exposure/Worker’s Compensation Coordinator, through quarterly Safety Committee meetings, shall review circumstances surrounding exposure incidents and standard operating procedures to formulate methods to prevent future exposures.

COMMUNICATION OF HAZARDS TO EMPLOYEES

Labels:

Warning labels shall be affixed to containers used to dispose of and store regulated waste and containers used to dispose of items containing blood or other potentially infectious materials. These labels shall be fluorescent orange or orange-red or predominantly so, with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color. Red biohazard containers may be substituted for labels.

Labels shall include the following or similar legend:

Information and Training

BBP Training shall be offered to all new employees during orientation and annual BBP Training shall be presented annually to all employees. BBP Training shall be offered at no cost to the employee during working hours.

BBP Training shall be conducted by individuals knowledgeable in the subject matter covered by the elements contained in the training program as it relates to the workplace that the training will address.

An accessible copy of Federal Regulation 29 CFR 1010.1030(g)(2) and explanation of its contents

A general explanation of the epidemiology and symptoms and mode of transmission of bloodborne diseases

An explanation of the school’s exposure control plan and the means by which an employee can obtain a copy of the written plan. An explanation that noncompliance may incur personnel counseling, retraining, and/or discipline

An explanation of the appropriate methods for recognizing tasks and other activities that may involve exposure to blood and other potentially infections materials

An explanation of the use and limitations of methods that will prevent or reduce exposure including appropriate engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment

Information on the types, basis for selection, proper use, location, removal, handling, decontamination and disposal of personal protective equipment

Information on the Hepatitis B vaccine, including information on the efficacy, safety, method of administration, the benefits of being vaccinated, and that the vaccine will be offered free of charge to employees at risk of exposure

Information on the appropriate actions to take and persons to contact in an emergency involving blood or other potentially infectious material

An explanation of the procedure to follow if an exposure incident occurs, including the method of reporting the incident and the medical follow-up that will be made available

Information on the post-exposure evaluation and follow-up that the employer is required to provide for the employee following an exposure incident

An explanation of the signs and labels and/or color coding required by Federal Regulation 29 CFR1010.1030(g)(2)

An opportunity for interactive questions and answers with the person conducting the training session

RECORDKEEPING AND SURVEILLANCE

Training Records shall include:

Dates of training

Contents or a summary of the training sessions

Name and qualifications of persons conducting the training

Names, job title, and work location of training participants

Any relevant concerns or unanswered issues that were raised during training

Training records shall be maintained for 3 years

Medical Records

§ Medical records of occupationally exposed employees shall be established and maintained for the duration of employment plus 30 years as required by OSHA’s regulations.

§ Confidentiality of the exposed employee’s medical records shall be maintained and shall not be disclosed or reported without the exposed employee’s expressed written consent to any person within or outside the workplace except as required by state and federal law.

§ Confidential medical records shall be made available if requested by the employee.

Sharps Injury Log

The District’s BBP Exposure Coordinator shall establish and maintain a Sharps Injury Log for the recording of percutaneous injuries from contaminated sharps. The information shall be recorded and maintained in such a manner as to protect the confidentiality of the injured employee.