Environmental Health & Safety
Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030
In March 1992, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) issued a standard to protect all workers exposed to human blood or body fluids as a routine part of their job. Complying with this standard will help minimize potential exposure to blood and body fluids, and thus to diseases carried by these fluids. The following is a list of requirements in the standard:
Exposure Control Plan: A written plan
documenting how the University will fulfill the requirements of any standard. Copies of the plan can be
found in any Infection Control Manual, in most department offices, at University Health Service -
Occupational Health, at Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), and in the SMH Director's Office.
Exposure Determination:
Each position code/job title has been evaluated for potential occupational exposure to human blood or body
fluids. Copies of the exposure determination can be reviewed at University Health Service - Occupational
Health, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), SMH Director's Office, and the Infection Control Office.
Methods of
Compliance: Each of the following is a method by which to minimize exposure to blood or body
fluids.
Universal
Precautions: An approach to infection control which assumes that the blood, body fluids, and
tissues of ALL persons are potentially infectious. Thus, precautions to prevent exposures will be used
universally without regard to the source.
Engineering
Controls: Control measures which isolate or remove the hazard from the workplace including
sharps disposal containers and biological safety cabinets.
Workpractice
Controls: Controls that reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the manner in which a
task is performed such as frequent handwashing and no recapping of needles.
Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE): equipment which is designed to place a barrier between the employee and the
potentially infectious materials to which he/she may be exposed. The University supplies appropriate
protective clothing at no cost to employees. PPE is required to be worn whenever exposure to blood or
body fluids is possible.
Housekeeping/
Waste Disposal: It is everyone's responsibility to maintain a
safe working environment for themselves and others. This includes proper clean up of contaminated work
areas and proper disposal of potentially infectious waste.
Hepatitis B
Vaccination: Everyone listed in the exposure determination is eligible to receive the hepatitis
B vaccination free of cost. The vaccination is highly recommended for all who have potential occupational
exposure to blood and body fluids. If you choose not to receive the vaccine you will be required to sign
a declination statement explaining that while you are choosing not to be vaccinated at the present time,
you may change your mind in the future: ** Note: Students are not eligible to receive the vaccination
series. **
Labels/Signs:
any materials and equipment which may be contaminated must be labeled with a biohazard symbol. The
exception to this rule is in the hospital where under Universal Precaution specimen containers do not
need to be labeled.
Training:
All new employees will receive training at orientation and annually thereafter.
Post-Exposure Follow
Up: In the event of an exposure to blood or body fluids, contact your supervisor, fill out an
incident report, and call University Health Services (x51164) or Infection Control (x57716). The
circumstance surrounding the exposure will be documented and the employee will receive medical
consultation, follow-up, and treatment, if necessary, in a timely manner.
Go to Important Notices - Post-Exposure Procedure for Human Blood & Body Fluids
QUESTIONS??
Hepatitis B Vaccination - ext. 5-2662
Blood/Body Fluid Exposures - ext. 5-2662
Policy & Procedures - ext. 5-3016
Protective Equipment
Hospital Stores - ext. 5-8211
QUESTIONS? Contact EH&S at (585) 275-3241 or e-mail EH&S Questions.
This page last updated 8/21/2019. Disclaimer.
