Vincent J. Giblin, General President 1293 Airport Road Beaver, WV Phone: (304) Fax: (304) Bloodborne Pathogens

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program2 This material was produced under grant number 46C5-HT16 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program3 UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program4 TERMS USED IN EPIDEMIOLOGY Epidemiology - The evaluation of the causes, occurrence, distribution, and control of disease. Infection - The presence and multiplication of infectious microorganisms in a host’s tissue.

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program5 TERMS USED IN EPIDEMIOLOGY Sub-Clinical Infection - When the reaction between an infecting agent and host is so limited that the diagnosis of infection can only be established by laboratory or other testing. Carrier - A person infected with a disease-causing microorganism who is free of clinical signs of the disease.

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program6 Microorganisms that can be present in human blood and other body fluids and can spread disease. Chiefly: HIV, the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome) Hepatitis B WHAT ARE BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS?

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program7 HOW ARE WORKERS EXPOSED? While giving first aid By handling infectious waste or other contaminated material

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program8 HIV Human Immuno-deficiency Virus Attacks body’s immune system and causes AIDS The HIV virus is fragile, and does not live long outside the human body Since symptoms may not develop for as many as 10 years, you do not know who may be infected with HIV

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program9 AIDS About 220,000 Americans have AIDS Up to 897,000 Americans are HIV- positive AIDS is spread most often by male-to- male sexual contact and IV drug use

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program10 INITIAL SYMPTOMS OF AIDS Only 50% have symptoms at initial infection Mononucleosis-like Constant fatigue White spots or unusual blemishes in the mouth Unexplained weight loss

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program11 HBV Hepatitis B Virus Starts as “inflammation of the liver,” can cause –severe liver damage –liver cancer –death

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program12 SYMPTOMS OF HEPATITIS B Flu-like Fatigue and weakness Diarrhea and vomiting Fever Jaundice Loss of appetite

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program13 HEPATITIS B IN THE U.S. 1 to 1.25 million are carriers 80% of these are unaware of their infectious status 140,000 to 320,000 infections/year 5,000-6,000 deaths/year

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program14 TREATMENT OF HEPATITIS B There is no specific treatment Bed rest may be required Hospitalization may be needed for severe vomiting Alcohol must be avoided; a low-fat diet is recommended

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program15 HEPATITIS B CARRIERS Most people who are infected with HBV get well, but some develop chronic (long-term) hepatitis They have vague symptoms You can not tell who might be a hepatitis B carrier

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program16 THE HBV VIRUS IS TOUGH It can live outside the body on contaminated needles and other infectious waste You can get hepatitis B from dried blood

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program17 THE HBV VIRUS IS TOUGH You can get hepatitis B by touching a contaminated object and then your eyes, nose, or mouth

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program18 HIV AND HBV Both can be found in any body fluid that is contaminated with blood Can enter the body through mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, nose) or lacerated/punctured skin.

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program19 PARENTERAL TRANSMISSION Occurs when skin or mucous membranes are pierced by: –puncture wounds –human bites –abrasions This is a risk to maintenance workers when machinery has been used in landfills

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program20 TAKING HOME HBV AND HIV Both can be transmitted sexually Both can be passed to their babies by pregnant women When you protect yourself, you also protect the people you care about

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program21 VACCINATION AGAINST HBV The vaccine is safe Almost everyone can be vaccinated Vaccination is recommended for anyone who is at increased risk

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program22 RESPONSIBILITIES OF EMPLOYERS 29 CFR explains the employer’s responsibilities to protect employees:

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program23 EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN Describes employees at risk Methods of eliminating or reducing exposure How employer will handle exposure incidents

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program24 REQUIRE UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS Approach to infection control All human blood and some body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program25 BODY FLUIDS REQUIRING UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS Blood Semen and vaginal fluids (including menstrual blood) Amniotic (pregnancy) fluid, cerebrospinal (brain and backbone) fluid, synovial (joint) fluid, pleural (chest) fluid, peritoneal (abdominal) fluid, pericardial (heart) fluid

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program26 BODY FLUIDS NOT REQUIRING UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS –Feces –Nasal secretions –Saliva –Sputum –Sweat –Tears –Urine –Vomit Unless visibly containing blood :

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program27 UTILIZE ENGINEERING & WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS Hand washing Use of resuscitation devices for mouth- to-mouth breathing Cover broken skin Good housekeeping

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program28 PROVIDE SUITABLE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT When appropriate, employers must provide: –Gloves –Masks and eye protection –Gowns, aprons, and other PPE

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program29 MAKE HEPATITIS B VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE Vaccination must be offered to at-risk employees at no charge Employees may decline to be vaccinated; however, they must be offered free vaccination if they change their minds

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program30 OFFER POST-EXPOSURE EVALUATION Employees may be tested and vaccinated after an exposure A health care professional must provide a written evaluation and treatment plan

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program31 COMMUNICATE HAZARDS TO EMPLOYEES Warning labels must be displayed on hazardous materials. Red bags or containers may substitute for labels

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program32 COMMUNICATE HAZARDS TO EMPLOYEES Initial training must be offered to employees when they are assigned to jobs that involve a risk of bloodborne pathogens Follow-up training must be given annually

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program33 This material was produced under grant number 46C5-HT16 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program34 End This publication was made possible by grant numbers 5 U45 ES AND 5 U45 ES from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), NIH. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIEHS, NIH.