Bloodborne Pathogens Training for School Personnel

Cal/OSHA BBP Regulation  CCR, Title 8, Section 5193  Covers occupations that may be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM)  Requires employers to have an Exposure Control Plan

Exposure Control Plan  Available to all employees  Defines who is at risk  Outlines procedures to minimize or  eliminate exposures to bloodborne diseases  Procedures to follow in the event of an exposure

Who Is Covered?  Any employee that can anticipate coming in contact with blood or body fluids  Your District is required to identify personnel whose job duties may expose them to BBP’s  Information and training must be provided to these employees

Bloodborne Pathogens—What Are They?  Pathogenic microorganisms that are transmitted via human blood and cause disease in humans  Exposure can result in serious illness or death  Include, but aren’t limited too: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Hepatitis B Virus  Infection of the liver  Can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and death  20% risk of infection by a contaminated sharp  Virus can survive in dried blood up to 7 days!

Symptoms of HBV  Fatigue  Loss of appetite, nausea  Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)  Fever  Abdominal pain, joint pain  30% carriers, no symptoms  Preventable with vaccination series

Hepatitis B Vaccine  Recommended for high risk groups  Is offered free of charge to employees  Consent/waiver form available  3 shot series – initial, 1 month, 6 months  Safe and should provide life long immunity

Hepatitis C Virus  Most common chronic bloodborne infection in the U.S.  Causes liver damage, cirrhosis and liver cancer  Leading reason for liver transplants  2% risk of infection by contaminated sharps

Symptoms of HCV  Same as HBV  May occur within 2 weeks, to many years  85% don’t know they are infected  There is no vaccine for HCV

Major Risk Factors for HBV & HCV  Sexual activity  I V drug use  HBV – neonatal transmission  HCV – blood transfusion prior to 1990  Accidental occupational exposure

HIV/AIDS  Attacks the body’s immune system  Unable to fight off other infections  No vaccine and no cure  6,000 new infections every day

Symptoms of HIV  Mild flu-like symptoms initially  May be free of symptoms for months or years  Eventually can lead to AIDS or possibly death

HIV Transmission  High risk sexual activity  IV drug use  Neonatal transmission  Accidental occupational exposure

These Diseases Are Not Spread By:  Casual contact  Hugging or kissing  Mosquitoes or insects  Donating blood  Telephones  Sharing food  Hot tubs or swimming  Being a friend

Risk Identification  What employee groups may be exposed to blood or other body fluids?  What tasks may have the most exposure to potential BBP’s?

Workplace Transmission  Special Ed. Employees  Nurses  Custodians  Maintenance  Playground Supervisors  Any employee as first aid responder  Accidental injuries – bloody noses, scratches, abrasions.  Needle sticks  Broken glass  First aid response  Working in restrooms, sewer systems, etc.

How Do BBP’s Enter Your Body?  Indirect transmission  Open cuts  Skin abrasions  Dermatitis  Acne  Mucus membranes – eyes, nose or mouth

Universal Precautions  The term “universal precautions” refers to a concept of infection control in which all human blood and most body fluids are considered to be potential carriers of infectious disease  You must take every precaution and treat all blood and body fluids as if they are infected with BBP’s  Many have no symptoms or knowledge of their condition…

Reducing Your Risk of Exposure  Personal protective equipment (PPE) – gloves, protective eyewear, masks  Engineering controls  Work practice controls

Personal Protective Equipment  Gloves – any time contact with blood or body fluids may occur. Cleaning procedures.  Protective eyewear – goggles or face shield if there is a potential for blood splashing into eyes  Masks – if there is a chance of blood splashing into mouth  Protective clothing – lab coat, smock, shoe covers for large spill response

Engineering Controls  Devices that reduce employee risk by isolating or removing the hazard  Sharps containers  Safety needles  Biohazard bags (red bags)

Work Practice Controls You are responsible!  Hand washing  Proper disposal of bloodborne waste  Proper handling and disposal of sharps  Getting HBV vaccine  Wearing appropriate PPE

Hand Washing  After touching or handling potentially infectious material  After removing gloves  After using the restroom  Before eating, smoking, applying cosmetics or handling contact lens

(Lather 15 sec.) * Waterless hand cleaner-only if no soap and water available!  Hand washing- Single most important means of preventing the spread of infection

Spill Response and Cleanup  If blood or OPIM are present prevent exposure to others  Wear appropriate PPE  Spray area with disinfectant to saturate  Absorb spill with absorbent powder or paper towels  Dispose into trash bag or red bag for large spills

Biohazard Waste Disposal  Small quantities can be disposed into normal waste stream  Large amounts must be disposed of as biohazardous waste  Sharps must be disposed of into sharps containers. If one is not available tongs and plastic bottle.

What To Do In The Event Of An Exposure  Wash area immediately with soap and water  Splash to mucous membranes rinse or flush with water for 15 minutes  Call Company Nurse or designated medical provider immediately  HBV vaccine can be provided within 24 hours after an exposure

Questions?