|
|
|
VI-11.00(B) UMCP POLICY ON OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS
APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT, JUNE 19, 1996
I. Policy Statement
A. Purpose
It is recognized that certain job activities at the University of
Maryland at College Park may result in occupational exposure to
human blood and other body fluids. It is also recognized that
some of these body fluids may contain bloodborne pathogens such
as the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV). This is a statement of official University policy
to describe the mechanism for compliance with the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation, "Occupational
Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens; Final Rule" (29 CFR Part
1910.1030)" to insure worker safety and environmental protection.
B. Policy
The University is dedicated to providing a safe workplace for
employees, and to complying with federal and state occupational
health and safety standards. Laboratory administrators,
managers, supervisors, faculty and staff share responsibility for
minimizing their occupational exposure to human blood and other
potentially-infectious materials. For purposes of this policy,
"human blood" is defined as human blood, human blood components,
and products made from human blood; and "potentially-infectious
materials" is defined as (1) semen, vaginal secretions,
cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial
fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental
procedures, and body fluids that are visibly contaminated with
blood, all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or
impossible to differentiate between body fluids; (2) any unfixed
tissue or organ (other than intact human skin) from a human
(living or dead); and (3) HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures,
organ cultures, and HIV- or HBV-containing culture medium or
other solutions; and blood, organs, or other tissues from
experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV.
The Exposure Control Plan shall be implemented for all facilities
at the University of Maryland College Park where performance of
employees' duties can be expected to result in skin, mucous
membrane or parenteral contact with human blood or other
potentially-infectious material (which, for purposes of this
Policy, shall be considered "occupational exposure").
The Exposure Control Plan shall be reviewed and evaluated for its
effectiveness at least annually. It will be updated as needed to
reflect new or modified procedures which affect occupational
exposure and to reflect new or revised employee positions with
occupational exposure.
C. Responsibilities
1. Department of Environmental Safety shall:
a. Prepare the Exposure Control Plan with annual
review, and revisions as necessary;
b. Distribute the Plan to each affected worksite;
c. Investigate, document and report to the University
Health Center, incidents of suspected exposure to
human blood or other potentially-infectious
material;
d. Collect and dispose of Biological, Pathological
and Medical Waste;
e. Provide or coordinate training for all affected
workers (including laboratory workers involved in
HIV or HBV research laboratories, as specified in
the "Training" section, below) concerning the
following:
i. Applicable regulations and provisions of
the Exposure Control Plan;
ii. Epidemiology and symptoms of bloodborne
diseases;
iii. Measures to protect employees from
contact with potentially-infectious
materials;
iv. Information about and availability of
effective vaccines; and
v. Procedures to follow if exposure to
potentially-infectious materials occurs
or is suspected;
f. Prepare an exposure determination which shall
contain the following:
i. A list of all job classifications in
which all employees in those job
classifications have occupational
exposure;
ii. A list of job classifications in which
some employees have occupational
exposure; and
iii. A list of all tasks and procedures or
groups of closely related tasks and
procedures in which occupational
exposure occurs and that are performed
by employees in job classifications
listed in accordance with the provisions
of the OSHA standard.
This exposure determination shall be made without
regard to the use of personal protective equipment.
2. The University Health Center (UHC) shall:
a. Provide or direct all required or recommended
medical examinations, treatment and counseling
following an exposure incident;
b. Provide vaccinations, as required;
c. Maintain medical records relating to
consultations, examinations and medical
surveillance as required by law; and
d. Provide training to UHC and Athletic Department
employees, as required.
3. The University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD)
shall:
a. Provide training to UMPD employees, as required.
4. Campus Recreation Services (CRS) shall:
a. Provide training to CRS employees, as required.
5. The affected department heads shall:
a. Ensure the provision of all necessary training,
equipment and medical services required by the
Exposure Control Plan;
b. Ensure that the Exposure Control Plan is
accessible to all employees in the worksite and
that the employees comply with the requirements of
the Plan;
c. Provide specific work practice training; and
d. Maintain copies of training records in
departmental personnel files.
6. UMCP employees with occupational exposure to human
blood or other potentially-infectious materials shall:
a. Adhere to the requirements of the Exposure Control
Plan;
b. Complete all safety training requirements and
comply with documentation procedures; and
c. Report all suspected exposure incidents.
D. Information
Assistance will be provided by the Department of
Environmental Safety to any Department requesting guidance
or training to satisfy implementation of this policy. A
complete copy of the Exposure Control Plan can be obtained
from the Department of Environmental Safety.
|
