Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green State UniversityBloodborne Pathogen ProgramBloodborne Pathogen Program

Established under the provisions of the Ohio Public Employment Risk Reduction Program – OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

Bloodborne Pathogen StandardBloodborne Pathogen Standard

Employers must develop a Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan

Purpose is to protect employees from health hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that are present in blood, tissue, blood products, other potential infectious materials (OPIM)

What are Bloodborne Pathogens?

Bloodborne Pathogens:Bloodborne Pathogens: Other Potentially Infectious Materials:Other Potentially Infectious Materials:

Semen Vaginal secretions Spinal, pleural, peritoneal, pericardial,

amniotic, and synovial fluids Saliva from dental proceduresAny body fluid visibly contaminated with

blood

What Are Fluids NOT What Are Fluids NOT Considered a Risk for BBPConsidered a Risk for BBP

VomitFecesUrineSweatNasal dischargesSaliva (non dental)Tears

Bloodborne Pathogens of Most Bloodborne Pathogens of Most Concern in the WorkplaceConcern in the Workplace

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

Human Immunodeficiency VirusHuman Immunodeficiency VirusHIV affects the body’s immune

system and can lead to AIDSSymptoms of early infection – night

sweats, weight loss, swollen glandsVery fragile virus and will not survive

for a long period of time outside the body

Risk of transmission through an exposure is 3-4%

Hepatitis B VirusHepatitis B Virus Virus affects the liver

Symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, jaundice

100 times more infectious than HIV

Can live on dried surfaces for up to one week

Hepatitis B Virus (cont.)Hepatitis B Virus (cont.)

6-30% chance of infection from a puncture wound (contaminated needle)

Up to 30% of infected individuals can become carriers without having symptoms

Vaccine preventable

Two Specific CriteriaTwo Specific Criteriafor Infection to Occurfor Infection to Occur

The blood/body fluid must be infected

AND

The virus must enter the body – exposure incident

““Exposure Incident”Exposure Incident”Virus enters the body:Through a mucous membrane (eyes, mouth,

or nose)

Through an opening in the skin (cuts, abrasions, open sores, acne)

Through a penetration of the skin by a contaminated sharp object (parenteral exposure – includes needlesticks and human bites)

BGSU’s Responsibilities Under theBGSU’s Responsibilities Under the Bloodborne Pathogen StandardBloodborne Pathogen Standard

Establish a Committee to develop and implement an Exposure Control Plan

Identify employees/job duties at high risk for exposure (having “occupational exposure”)

Provide pre-exposure vaccinations for HBV to those employees at no cost

BGSU’s Responsibilities (cont.)BGSU’s Responsibilities (cont.)

Assure all high risk employees are appropriately trained

Assist departments/areas in developing internal standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Establish procedures to protect all BGSU employees regardless of risk

Composition of BGSU’s Composition of BGSU’s Bloodborne Pathogen CommitteeBloodborne Pathogen Committee

DDepartments/Areas Represented on the epartments/Areas Represented on the Bloodborne Pathogen CommitteeBloodborne Pathogen Committee::

Student Health Services Public Safety Athletics Recreational SportsFacilities Services Dining ServicesFirelands Branch Campus Residential Services Environmental Health and Safety

Categorization of EmployeesCategorization of EmployeesSeparation into two categories based upon risk

Category 1 – employees having “occupational exposure”

Category 2 – employees having minimal to moderate “occupational exposure”

Dictates levels of protection, training, etc.

““Occupational Exposure”Occupational Exposure”

“Having a reasonable anticipation of coming into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) as part of one’s job duties”

Category 1 Departments/AreasCategory 1 Departments/AreasStudent Health Services Physicians, Nurses,

and other medical staff who provide medical treatment

University Police Officers (main campus)Athletic Department Trainers and specifically

designated personnel from Recreational Sports who respond to athletic injuries

Custodial personnel (both main and Firelands campuses) who have the potential of cleaning up blood and OPIM

Category 1 Departments/AreasCategory 1 Departments/Areas(cont.)(cont.)

Dining Services personnel who clean areas contaminated with blood and/or OPIM

Maintenance Repair Workers I (Firelands campus) who clean areas contaminated with blood and/or OPIM

Category 2 Departments/AreasCategory 2 Departments/Areas

Resident Advisors, Residence Hall and House Directors

School of Art faculty/staff

Child Development Specialists

Others who respond to injured individuals as a Good Samaritan

All other University departments/areas including:

Category 1 EmployeesCategory 1 EmployeesMust be offered pre-exposure vaccine at no

cost – 3 doses, highly effective (90%) – given at: initial dose, 1 month, and 6th month intervals. Employee may decline (declination form)

Must complete bloodborne pathogen training at the time of initial assignment and annually thereafter (new or changed rules)

Must follow provisions of individual department/area SOPs that include:

Universal PrecautionsUniversal Precautions

This is a prevention strategy in which all blood and other potentially infectious materials are treated as though they were infectious.

Engineering and Work Engineering and Work Practice ControlsPractice Controls

Engineering and Work Practice Controls are procedures that are established to minimize or eliminate personal contact with bloodborne pathogens including:

Avoiding actions which may splash, spray, splatter, or create droplets

Never pipette or suction infectious materials by mouth

Always using appropriate personal protective equipment

Using approved sharps containers whenever necessary

Disposing of glass, etc. in puncture resistant containers

Engineering/Work Practices Controls (cont.)

Engineering/Work Practices Controls (cont.)

Using needleless systems, if possible

Never eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, or handling contact lenses where blood or other potentially infectious materials are present

Decontaminating all surfaces, tools, and equipment that come in contact with blood or potentially infectious materials as soon as possible

Engineering/Work Practices Controls (cont.)

Decontamination Procedures:Decontamination Procedures:

Use a freshly prepared bleach solution diluted 1:10 with water or other EPA registered tuberculocidal disinfectant

Wear gloves and other personal protective equipment, as necessary

Cover the spill with paper towels or rags, gently pouring the disinfectant over the towels, and let it set at least 10 minutes

Engineering/Work Practices Controls (cont.)

Decontamination procedures (cont.)Decontamination procedures (cont.)

Assure that all areas of blood/OPIM are in contact with the disinfectant

Dispose of decontaminated material in the normal trash

Decontaminate mops and other reusable equipment after use

HandwashingHandwashing

One of the most important work practice controls!

Handwashing facilities should be readily accessible and adequately stocked or utilize a waterless hand disinfection system

HandwashingHandwashing(cont.)(cont.)

Always wash hands after taking off gloves

If you are using an antiseptic hand cleaner or wipes, you must wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible after contact with blood or other body fluids

Personal Protective Equipment Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)(PPE)

Personal protective equipment is specialized clothing or equipment worn or used by you for protection against a hazard.

PPE (cont.)PPE (cont.) Examples of PPEExamples of PPE::

Latex gloves Goggles Gowns Lab coats Aprons Face shields CPR masks

Selection of what to use must follow BGSU’s Personal Protective Equipment Program

PPE (cont.)PPE (cont.)Latex or nitrile gloves are probably the most important protective apparel that can be worn to protect yourself from bloodborne pathogens

PPE (cont.)PPE (cont.)Anytime there is a risk of splashing of contaminated fluids, goggles and/or other eye protection should be used to protect your eyes

PPE (cont.)PPE (cont.)Waterproof clothing such as lab coats or aprons may be worn to protect your clothing and to keep blood or other contaminated fluids from soaking through to your skin.

PPE (cont.)PPE (cont.)

Face shields may be worn in addition to goggles to provide additional face protection. A face shield will protect against splashes to the nose and mouth

Use Safe Clean-up Practices:Use Safe Clean-up Practices:Wear appropriate gloves and other

required PPENever pick up broken glass or similar

items with hands - use dust pan and broomPut glass, etc. in “puncture resistant”

container and properly disposeAlways handle trash as if a sharp might be

present

Exposure and Post-Exposure Exposure and Post-Exposure Procedures for All EmployeesProcedures for All Employees

If a potential exposure incident hasoccurred:Immediately care for the site of exposure -

either wash with soap and water or if in eyes, nose or mouth – flush with water

Notify supervisor immediately

Exposure and Post-Exposure Exposure and Post-Exposure Procedures for All EmployeesProcedures for All Employees

Go to a healthcare provider (hospital emergency room, Ready Care, etc.) for evaluation within 24 hours:

- To verify whether an exposure incident has indeed occurred

- To receive HB vaccine, if indicated

Exposure and Post-Exposure Exposure and Post-Exposure Procedures for All EmployeesProcedures for All Employees

Complete a BGSU Injury and Illness Report form and submit it to Environmental Health and Safety

There is no charge to the employee for these services

Infectious Waste ManagementInfectious Waste Management Untreated infectious waste (blood-soaked

towels, clothing, applicable sharps, etc. must be managed in accordance with BGSU’s Infectious Waste Management Program. This means that:

Infectious wastes are stored separately from regular waste

Infectious wastes must be placed in containers that are leak proof, closable, puncture resistant and labeled with the universal biohazard label

Infectious Waste ManagementInfectious Waste Management(cont.)(cont.)

Infectious wastes are treated chemically on-site or transported by a licensed transporter to an approved infectious waste treatment and disposal facility

On-site treatment (autoclaving) may be accomplished through arrangements with the Student Health Center or the Department of Biology

RecordkeepingRecordkeepingAll Category 1 Departments/Areas are required to maintain the following records:

Medical Records – including dates of Hepatitis B vaccinations and related information as well as medical evaluations and reports. These records must be maintained for the duration of employment plus 30 years and must be kept confidential.

Recordkeeping (cont.)Recordkeeping (cont.)

Training Records – including the dates of training and the name(s)/title(s) of the individual(s) who provided the training. These records must be maintained for three years. A copy of these records must also be maintained by Environmental Health and Safety.

Exposure Control:Exposure Control:Protect YourselfProtect Yourself

Read the Exposure Control Plan – a copy is available to you

Use engineering and work practice controlsUse personal protective equipmentKnow what to do in case of an exposure