No. 831
SOUTH
WILLIAMSPORT
AREA
SCHOOL DISTRICT
SECTION:
OPERATIONS
TITLE:
BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS
ADOPTED:
May 5, 2014
REVISED:
831. BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS
1. Purpose
South Williamsport Area is committed to providing a healthful environment for its
students and employees. To this end, the following procedures and policies related to
blood borne pathogens, such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), have been developed.
This policy applies to all district employees who could reasonably anticipate
occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials in the
normal performance of their duties.
2. Definitions
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a concept of
“universal precautions” designed to limit occupational exposure to blood borne
pathogens. The term universal precautions refers to a system of infection control
that assumes that every direct contact with body fluids is potentially infectious. This
concept requires that all employees who may incur direct contact with body fluids be
protected as though fluids were HIV or HBV infected.
The term body fluids includes blood, semen, drainage from scrapes and cuts, feces,
urine, vomitus, respiratory secretions (e.g., nasal discharge) and saliva. Contact with
body fluids presents a risk of infection from a variety of germs. In general, however,
the risk is very low and dependent on a variety of factors including the type of fluid
with which contact has been made and the type of contact made with it.
3. Guidelines
When possible, direct contact with body fluids should be avoided. If hands or other
skin surfaces come in contact with blood or body fluids, they should be washed
thoroughly as soon as possible with soap and running water. In the event of mucous
membrane or eye exposure to contaminated materials, the area should be flushed
thoroughly with water.
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831. BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS - Pg. 2
Protective gloves should be available in all classrooms as well as in other school
facilities such as the cafeteria, gym, athletic fields, etc. These should be worn by
school employees whenever direct contact with body fluids is anticipated and
certainly in all of the following instances:
1.
In caring for an injury that results in bleeding, menstrual accidents, etc.
2.
During cleanup of spills of blood or other body fluids, cleanup of contaminated
surfaces, and disposal of contaminated wastes.
3. When in contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, non-intact skin,
and items soiled with blood or body fluids.
4. Thick-cloth barriers (such as terry cloth towels or 4x4 dressings) may be used to
apply pressure to a bleeding wound, but gloves should also be worn.
Contaminated environmental surfaces should be thoroughly washed with soap and
water and disinfected with a fresh solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water or any
EPA approved disinfectant.
Sanitary absorbent agents specifically intended for cleaning body fluids should be
used where appropriate (e.g. in carpeted areas). The dry material is applied to the
area, left for a few minutes to absorb the fluid and then vacuumed or swept up. The
vacuum bag or sweepings should be disposed of in a plastic bag. Broom and dustpan
should be rinsed in disinfectant. No special handling is required for vacuuming
equipment.
Disposable towels should be used for cleanup. Mops should be thoroughly rinsed in
the disinfectant solution. Personnel should wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly
when finished.
Trash containing blood, body fluids that contain blood, used gloves and absorbent
materials should be enclosed in a red hazardous waste bag prior to disposal.
Soiled linens should be washed with detergent in water at least 160 degrees for 25
minutes. Addition of bleach will further reduce the number of potentially infectious
agents.
Protective mouthpieces for resuscitation should be available at all athletic events,
physical education classes, and the nurses’ offices.
Whenever possible, individuals with open sores, cuts, abrasions, and weeping
dermatitis should not serve as care givers to an individual with a wound.
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831. BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS - Pg. 3
Personal protective equipment shall be available and worn by all persons who can
reasonably anticipate exposure to contaminated materials. This equipment will be
cleaned or replaced by the district.
Sharps Precautions
Needles are not to be bent or broken by hand. Contaminated sharps are not to be
recapped. Used sharps are to be stored in an approved sharps container, which is to
be disposed of at an approved facility.
Training and education programs will be made available to all employees and
updated periodically. Training programs may include speakers, on-the-job
instruction, videocassette training, and/or informative literature. Training will be
provided on an annual basis and to new employees who may be at risk for exposure.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for exposure to BBPs. Employee will be
advised to seek vaccination with primary care provider, PA Department of Health or
local emergency department.
Disposal Of Waste
1.
Blood, other potentially infectious material, used gloves, and absorbent
materials should be placed in a red hazardous waste bag/container and disposed
of in the usual procedure.
2.
Needles, syringes, and other sharp disposable objects should be placed in an
approved sharps container and be disposed of as regulated waste.
3.
Bodily wastes such as urine, vomitus, or feces should be disposed of in the
sanitary sewer system.
Communication Of Hazards
The universal biohazard symbol shall be used throughout the district to indicate the
presence of blood or other potentially infectious materials and shall be affixed to
containers of infectious waste, refrigerators and freezers containing these materials,
containers used to transport these materials, contaminated equipment and at the
entrances of areas where these materials are used and stored.
Copies of the Exposure Control Plan will be made available to employees.
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831. BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS - Pg. 4
Exposure
An Exposure Control Plan, which is in compliance with the present OSHA
guidelines, will be followed to reduce exposure, determine risk potential and
evaluate exposure incidents. An exposure control committee comprised of one (1)
member of the Board of Education, the Superintendent, one (1) district-appointed
doctor, one (1) administrator, one (1) athletic trainer and one (1) school nurse who
will act as recorder, will be responsible for identifying district employees who are or
may be exposed to blood borne pathogens, as well as the risk potential and the
amount of protection required.
An exposure incident to blood or other potentially infectious material through
contact with broken skin, mucous membrane or by needle or sharp stick requires
immediate washing, reporting and follow-up.
1.
Wash exposed area immediately with soap and water.
2.
If it is a membrane splash (eye or mouth) or exposure of broken skin, irrigate or
wash the area thoroughly.
3.
If it is a cut or needle stick injury, wash the area thoroughly with soap and
water.
Exposure incidents should be reported immediately to the nurse. Incidents
involving students will be reported to parents or guardians. Staff members will be
encouraged to contact their individual physician if exposed.
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