OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.1030 titled BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS, stipulates specific requirements for any institution working with human blood, blood products, or blood components. In order to comply with the standard these human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), as well as other pathogens. Written rules must be in place that denote specific procedures for working with these materials as well as control procedures for dealing with potential exposures. The standard requires the employer to develop a written exposure control plan. At a minimum, the exposure control plan must include (l) the exposure determination, (2) the procedures for evaluating the circumstances surrounding an exposure incident, and (3) the schedule and method for implementing sections of the standard covering he methods of compliance, hepatitis B vaccination and post-exposure follow-up, communication of hazards to employees, and record keeping. The schedule of how and when the provisions of the standard will be implemented may be as simple as a calendar with brief notations describing the methods of implementation, and an annotated copy of the standard.

The plan must be reviewed and updated annually or whenever new tasks and procedures affect occupational exposure, made accessible to employees, and made available to OSHA an NIOSH.

All employees subject to the regulation will be provided with a copy of the OSHA regulation along with colleges’ written plan. Hepatitis B vaccine is an integral part of the plan and will be provided at no cost to employees. Employees who for whatever reason choose not to receive this vaccine must sign a statement to that effect. Protective clothing and other appropriate equipment (glasses, gloves, etc.) will be provided at not cost to the employee. Training sessions will be provided annually or within a reasonable time of new employees starting date. We propose that a competent consultant from MIT be hired to conduct these training sessions and to evaluate the colleges compliance with the OSHA regulations.

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