What precautions should you take to avoid exposure to bloodborne pathogens workday
April 2022 Show
Bloodborne PathogensIn accordance with the requirements of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 and the Amherst College Environmental Health & Safety Policy, the following guidelines have been established to reduce the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens for our faculty, staff and students. Amherst College has developed this plan to properly mitigate the hazards of blood, body fluids, sewage and other similar materials that may pose a risk to the campus community. Through engineering controls, work place practices, personal protective equipment, housekeeping, immunizations and training, Amherst College will take the necessary steps to help protect our employees and the campus community from the risk of exposure and/or infection.
INFORMED CONSENT FOR AMHERST COLLEGE EMPLOYEES Definitions:
Affected Employees:Amherst College employees that have been identified as those for whom the risk of exposure is a possibility must not only acquire the appropriate training, but should seek (through their supervisor) immunizations for
Hepatitis B (HBV), the virus that causes liver disease.
Amherst College Campus Police
Facilities
Workplace Transmission:Bloodborne pathogens are transmitted in the workplace the same ways, HBV, HIV and other pathogens are transmitted elsewhere, through blood, body fluids, unfixed tissues or organs other than intact skin. The primary routes of disease transmission into the body are;
Universal Precautions:All blood, body fluids and sources of potentially infectious human body fluids including sewage shall be considered infectious until proven otherwise. Since Amherst College personnel can not identify person(s) who may be infected, they shall not take unnecessary chances. It takes just one exposure to become infected. Therefore, any employee who has been assigned the responsibility of providing First Aid / CPR care, clean up or other tasks dealing with blood, body fluids, needles and sewage should take the following protective action; First Aid
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Gloves
Blood and Body Fluid Clean-Up:As soon as a blood and body fluid spill has occurred, the first issue is to deal with the patient and any necessary first aid that is required. Once the patient has been taken care of, the clean up needs to begin.
Sewage and Sewer Back-upThe Centers for Disease Control has warned of the hazards associated with the inadequate cleaning of business, homes and other properties as a result of a sewer malfunction that resulted in an overflow or back-up of the sanitary sewer system. In order to properly mitigate the hazard, the CDC has published a document that instructs persons on how to effectively deal with this type of problem and the long term hazards. Our first goal is to protect the staff whose responsibility it is to clean up the spill. Sewer back-ups may be house specific or a back up from the street that has come from one or more homes
and businesses. Since we are unable to tell the difference, we must assume the worst, that this is someone else’s sewage and that the potential for blood and body fluid exposure is significant. Boots that can be properly bleached and washed should be utilized only in the room or house of origin. These boots like the gloves should not move from place to place because this may spread the contamination. Other types of PPE should be used during the cleanup process. · Never use a solution of bleach greater than 1:6, regardless of soilingAnother recommendation of the CDC is to (while decontamination is in progress) install a temporary de-humidifier. This unit (with a small amount of bleach in its reservoir) should be run for not less than 3 days so as to remove the
moisture (bacteria and mold) and any residual bleach from the room or area. The water from the reservoir is contained and can be properly discarded into the sanitary sewer. Safe Housekeeping:
Laundry:When dealing with or handling bags of laundry that could contain blood
Needles and SyringesNeedle sticks could pose a significant health risk for the recipient of any contaminated or potentially contaminated needle. Precautions must be taken to minimize the hazard. Regardless of who you are and what you do…
General Practices
Biohazard / Infection Control Kits:
It shall be the responsibility of each departmental supervisor to make sure that the kits are inspected and refilled as necessary to insure adequate means of handling a biohazardous incident. EH&S suggests that a plastic tie be attached to the biohazard spill kit container to indicate if it has or has not been opened. Training:Training shall be provided to all affected or potentially exposed employees of Amherst College on an annual basis. Additional training will be given if changes to the rules, regulations or policies have changed. Employees who may not deal with this type of situation on a routine basis may (if needed) request additional or follow-up training from the office of Environmental Health and Safety.
Recordkeeping RequirementsConfidential Medical Records will be maintained on all Amherst College employees with an occupational exposure. These records will include the following information;
Training Records shall include the following;
Incident Exposure Reporting:Incident Exposure Report Post-Exposure Evaluation
Follow-Up Health Care Professional – Provided Information:
Healthcare Professionals – Written Opinion
All other information is confidential and shall not be in the written report.\ Exposure Control Plan Evaluation What precautions should be taken to avoid exposure to bloodborne pathogens?Wear disposable gloves whenever providing care, particularly if you may come into contact ■ with blood or body fluids. Also wear protective coverings, such as a mask, eyewear and a gown, if blood or other body fluids can splash.
What precautions should you take to avoid exposure to bloodborne pathogens quizlet?You should always treat all body fluids as if they are infectious and avoid direct skin contact with them. You should never eat, drink, or smoke in a laboratory or other area where there may be potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
What are the 5 steps you should take if you are exposed to a bloodborne pathogen?What should you do if you're exposed?. Wash needlesticks and cuts with soap and water.. Flush splashes to nose, mouth, or skin with water.. Irrigate eyes with clean water, saline, or sterile wash.. Report all exposures promptly to ensure that you receive appropriate followup care.. How can you be exposed to bloodborne pathogens at work?Occupational exposures can occur through needlesticks or cuts from other sharp instruments contaminated with an infected patient's blood (including blood contaminated saliva) or through contact of the eye, nose, mouth, or skin with a patient's blood.
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