Austin Community College

WHY THIS TRAINING? OSHA & Texas Department of State Health Services Bloodborne Pathogen standard – OSHA and the TDSHS requires anyone whose job could result in exposure to BB pathogens to complete the training OSHA BBP regulations are found in 29CFR TDSHS BBP regulations are found in TX Health & Safety Code – ACC also has a BBP Program that must be followed. It can be found at the EHS On-line Safety Manual in the Bio-hazard/ Blood Borne Pathogens section… Remember: The more you know, the better you will perform in real situations!

6 Course Objectives 1.Know what Bloodborne pathogens are 2.Recognize potentially contaminated material 3.Identify exposure routes 4.Know how to protect yourself 5.Know what to do if you are exposed 6.Know how to clean up a spill

Who is covered by the standard? All employees who could be “ reasonably anticipated ”, as the result of performing their job duties, to face contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials “ Good Samaritan ” acts such as assisting a co- worker with a nosebleed would not be considered occupational exposure

Some Departments/Personnel that are at Risk: Nursing Education Dental Education Custodial Services Biology Laboratory Faculty and Staff Law Enforcement Personnel Childcare Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians Anyone providing first-response medical care

How does exposure occur? Most common: needle sticks Cuts from other contaminated sharps (scalpels, broken glass, etc.) Contact of mucous membranes (for example; the eyes, nose, mouth) or broken (cut or abraded) skin with contaminated blood

Exposure Control Plan Identifies jobs and tasks where occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material occurs Describes how the employer will: – Use engineering and work practice controls – Ensure use of Personal Protective Equipment – Provide training – Provide medical surveillance – Provide Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccinations – Use signs and labels

Exposure Control Plan Written plan required Plan must be reviewed at least annually to reflect changes in: – Tasks, procedures, or assignments which affect exposure – Technology that will eliminate or reduce exposure Annual review must document employer ’ s consideration and implementation of safer medical devices Must solicit input from potentially exposed employees in the identification, evaluation, and selection of engineering and work practice controls Plan must be accessible to employees ACC Exposure Control/Bloodborne Pathogen Plan is found on line at: – manual

What is a BB Pathogen? Microorganisms that are carried in the blood that can cause disease in humans

Common BB Pathogen Diseases Malaria Brucellosis Syphilis Hepatitis B(HBV) Hepatitis C(HCV) Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HIV is the virus that leads to AIDS HIV depletes the immune system HIV does not survive well outside the body No threat on contracting HIV through casual contact Further information on HIV can be found at

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Many people infected with HIV have no symptoms for 10 years or more Following may be warning signs of advanced HIV infection: – Rapid Weight LossDry Cough – Recurring FeverProfuse Night Sweats – FatigueSwollen Lymph Glands – Diarrhea for more than 1 weekPneumonia – Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth nose or eyelids – White spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, or in the mouth or throat

Hepatitis B (HBV) 1—1.25 million Americans are chronically infected Symptoms include: jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, intermittent nausea, vomiting Vaccination available since 1982 May lead to chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and death HBV can survive for at least one week in dried blood Symptoms can occur 1-9 months after exposure Further information on HBV can be found at

Hepatitis C (HCV) Hepatitis C is the most common chronic Bloodborne infection in the United States Symptoms include: jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, intermittent nausea, vomiting May lead to chronic liver disease and death Further information on HBC can be found at

Potentially Infectious Bodily Fluids Blood Saliva Vomit Urine Semen or vaginal secretions Skin tissue, cell cultures Any other bodily fluids, including……

Transmission Potential Contact with another person’s blood or bodily fluid that may contain blood Mucous membranes: eyes, mouth, nose Non-intact skin Contaminated sharps/needles

Possible Exposure Incidents Administering first aid Post-accident cleanup Handling of returned product Janitorial or maintenance work Handling of any waste products Industrial accidents

Universal Precautions Use of proper PPE Treat all blood and bodily fluids as if they are contaminated Proper cleanup and decontamination Disposal of all contaminated material in the proper manner

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Anything that is used to protect a person from exposure Latex or Nitrile gloves, goggles, CPR mouth barriers, aprons, respirators

PPE Rules to Remember Always check PPE for defects or tears before using If PPE becomes torn or defective, remove immediately and get new Remove PPE before leaving a contaminated area Do not reuse disposable equipment Discard all contaminated PPE in red Bio-hazard bags

Choosing appropriate PPE For small spills and areas of contamination, use safety glasses and nitrile gloves For larger areas of contamination with greater potential for contact from splashes, Tyvek coveralls, face shields or face masks should be worn along with gloves and safety glasses.

Decontamination When cleaning up surfaces use 10% bleach solution or approved disinfectant Do an initial wipe up Spray spill or contaminated area, allow it to stand for 15 minutes, and then wipe up Dispose of all wipes in biohazard containers PPE and any contaminated disposable cleaning equipment should be disposed of in biohazard containers

Hand Washing Wash hands immediately after removing PPE Use a soft antibacterial soap A hand sanitizer can be used but wash with soap and water as soon as possible.

Definition: Regulated Medical Waste Liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM) Contaminated items that would release blood or OPIM when compressed Contaminated sharps Pathological and microbiological waste containing blood or OPIM

Signs & Labels Labels must include the universal biohazard symbol, and the term “Biohazard” must be attached to: – containers of regulated biohazard waste – refrigerators or freezers containing blood or OPIM – containers used to store, transport, or ship blood or OPIM

Exposure Incident A specific incident of contact with potentially infectious bodily fluid Infiltrations of mucous membranes or open skin surfaces, as well as puncture wounds from sharps, are exposures Report all incidents involving blood or bodily fluids to supervisor within 1 hour Post-exposure medical evaluations and follow-up are offered at no charge

ACC Post-exposure Procedures  Responsibility of employee to notify supervisor within ONE (1) hour of exposure  Responsibility of the supervisor is to contact EHS within ONE (1) hour after notified of exposure  Following the report of an exposure, the employee will be sent for a confidential medical evaluation and follow- up

Post-exposure Evaluation Procedures Consist of A confidential medical evaluation Documenting routes of exposure Identifying whose blood was involved (source) Test source individuals blood (with individuals consent) Provide test results to exposed employee

Hepatitis B Vaccinations ACC Employees who may have potential exposure to blood borne pathogens but DO NOT wish to receive the Hepatitis B vaccination must sign a form from the EHS Department stating they decline the vaccination at this time. You may change your mind at any time – Just contact the EHS Office and request a Hepatitis B vaccination.

Hepatitis B Vaccination Strongly endorsed by medical communities Offered to all potentially exposed employees Provided free to employees Declination form - Must sign one if you don’t want vaccine

Recordkeeping Requirements Medical Records include: Hepatitis B vaccination status Any post-exposure evaluation and follow-up results Training Records include: Training dates Contents of the training Signature of trainer and trainee

In Conclusion BB pathogen rules are in place for your health and safety Failure to follow them is a risk that does not need to be taken

Call or David Watkins Austin Community College Environmental Health & Safety Dept or Austin Community College’s Blood Borne Pathogen Plan can be found at manual