Bloodbome pathogens

This book wfil help you comply with the OSHA bloodbome pathogens standard, ft includes guidance in setting up a bloodborne pathogens program, writing an exposure control plan, and training employees. 

Universal Precautions Specimen Handling and Laboratory Testing AIDS, hepatitis B, and other bloodbome pathogens pathogen types routes of entry barrier concepts and protective measures disposal of sharps and other contaminated items personal hygiene and emer-... 

Workplace Precautions Against Bloodbome Pathogens OSHA standard on bloodbome pathogens, HIV virus and AIDS, methods of transmission, exposure risks, universal precautions, and legal requirements. 

HBV and HCV are diseases of the liver, sometimes referred to as hepatitis or inflammation of the liver. Both HBV and HCV are bloodbome pathogens, like HIV. The virus is most concentrated in blood, serum, and wound exudates. The virus is also present in smaller concentrations in semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. Low concentrations exist in urine, feces, sweat, tears, and saliva. The incubation period for HVB is from 45 to 160 days, and for HCV 2 to 26 weeks, with a fatality rate of 1 to 1.4%. Like HIV, symptoms are insidious at onset. They include anorexia, malaise, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, skin rashes, arthralgies, and arthritis. A vaccine is available for HBV. 

The virus spreads through close personal contact with a person who is infected with the disease and can also be spread through sexual contact. Universal bloodbome pathogen precautions should be practiced when treating victims. It is not known what the natural host is for the virus or how a person contracts the disease initially. The incubation period is 2 to 21 days. 

L. Simonsen, A. Kane, J. Lloyd, M. ZafEran, M. Kane, Unsafe injections in the developing world and transmission of bloodbome pathogens a Review. Bull. World Health Orgarr 77, 789-800 (1999)... 

Workers who work with items possibly contaminated with diseases communicable to humans, including tissue, fluids, fecal materials, and equipment which has come into contact with any of these, should be offered appropriate immunizations, if safe effective vaccines are available. Tetanus shots are recommended for all who work with animals, while those who work with wild animals should be ofleied rabies vaccinations. A preemployment medical examination is mandatory and should include medical and work histories. Periodic examinations may be desirable and should be considered. Any worker who may come into contact with human or primate tissue, blood, and fluids must receive training to meet the standards of the OSHA bloodbome pathogen standard and be offered shots for Hepatitis-B. 

Much of this material was prepared by David M. Moore, D.V.M., for the third edition of the handbook but this section now includes some material deriving fixim the bloodbome pathogen stand d and infectious waste regulations. 

If it is reasonably anticipated that employees will be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials while using first aid supplies, employers are required to provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in compliance with the provisions of the Occupational Exposure to Bloodbome Pathogens standard, Sec. 1910.1030(d) (3) (56 FR 64175). This standard lists appropriate PPE for this type of exposure, such as gloves, gowns, face shields, masks, and eye protection. 

E. The OSHA Bloodbome Pathogen Standard Infection from Work with Human Specimens... 

OSHA published 29 CER 1910.1030, relating exposures to bloodbome pathogens on December 6, 1991. The rule took effect on March 6, 1992. Under the standard, employers affected by the standard were to be in fttU compliance by July 6, 1992. An exposure control plan was to be in effect by May 5, 1992, and employee training made available by June 5, 1992. OSHA has taken a firm posture on implementation of the mle. OSHA can impose a fine of up to 70,000 per willful violation. 

The employer shall make available the HBV vaccine to aU employees who have occupational exposures. The vaccinations shall be made available to the employee at no cost to the employee at a reasonable time and place. The vaccinations shall be performed by or under the supervision of a hcensed physician or by or under the supervision of another licensed health care professional. The health care professional responsible for the vaccinations must be given a copy of the bloodbome pathogen standard. Any tests must be done by an accredited laboratory at no cost to the employee. 

Doniiii, MA and Smith, C.E., OSHA s final rule on occupational exposure to bloodbome pathogens,... 

Update universal precautions for prevention of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus and other bloodbome pathogens in healthcare settings, in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, 37, 24, June 24, 1988, 377-382, 387-388. 

Infectious materials are those that can cause disease in humans or animals. Note that this is a broader definition than that described earlier in the section on bloodbome pathogens. 

Centers for Disease Control, Update Universal Precautions for Prevention of Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B Virus and other Bloodbome Pathogens in Healthcare settings, MMWR,... 

Special instmctions depend upon the hazards of the specific CMR and may vary among experts. Instmctions will emphasize the serious nature of exposure and will generally follow precautions found in OSHA s substance-specific standards. Twenty-eight (28) of OSHA s 30 substance-specific standards are direct CMRs. The other two, bloodbome pathogens and cotton dust, are related indirectly (HBV may cause liver cancer and cotton dust includes pesticide residues). 

OSHA considers skin diseases as illnesses caused by exposure to chemicals, plants, or other hazardous substances. OSHA dehnes respiratory conditions or illnesses as breathing-related problems associated with pneumonitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, farmer s lung, beryllium disease, tuberculosis, occupational asthma, reactive airways dysfunction syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypersensitivity. Examples can include heatstroke, hypothermia, decompression sickness, effects of ionizing radiation, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, anthrax, and bloodbome pathogen diseases. 

Provide the healthcare professional designated by the employer to implement this part of the standard with a copy of the Bloodbome Pathogens standard. 

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