Pathogen exposure

Health Act (OSHA), which regulates workplace safety. In particular, pharmacists who perform laboratory tests that require finger sticks are at risk from exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Pharmacies who perform these tests should have a blood-borne pathogen exposure control plan (BPEPC) that describes who should be trained about the hazards of blood-borne exposure, precautions that need to be taken to prevent exposure, and what to do when an exposure incident occurs (Rosenthal, 2000). More information regarding OSHA and an example BPEPC can be found at the OSHA Web site (www.osha.gov). 

As summarized by Bultman et al. (in press), a number of soil-borne pathogens have been linked to a variety of diseases, including protozoa, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and prions. Pathogens considered to be soil-borne include those that complete all or some of their life cycles in soils, and those whose life cycle is spent primarily in other organisms but that can survive for some period of time if released into soils from their hosts. Depending upon the particular pathogen, exposure can result from inhalation of dusts... 

Use recommendations (dosage, number of applications/season, duration of pathogen exposure, proportion of area treated)... 

Bloodborne pathogens exposure incident—Means a specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, no intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that result from the performance of an employee s duties. 

Bloodbome pathogens means microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. Examples are hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the human immunodehciency virus (HIV). OSHA established a standard addressing the safety and health of workers subject to potential bloodbome pathogen exposures. ... 

Employers having employees who are at risk of bloodborne pathogens exposure are required to prepare a written exposure control program. The plan must evaluate routine tasks and procedures in the workplace that involve exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) identify workers performing such tasks and use a variety of methods to reduce the risks. 

OSHA requires that all needlestick and sharps injruies and illnesses that resrdt from bloodbome pathogens exposure be recorded on the OSHA 300 Log, the sharps injruy log, and employee-related medical and training records. 

Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals Bloodhorne pathogens/exposure control plan Emergency action plan Fire prevention plan Respirator program... 

When an employee with bloodbome pathogens exposure risks declines the hepatitis B vaccine, he or she must read and sign the following declination form. 

To protect yourself, follow the bloodbome pathogens exposure control plan your employer has set up. 

Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control for Healthcare Facilities... 

Contact dermatitis is a physiochemical-related and debilitating hand injury that can result from excessive or repeated perspiration while a worker is wearing gloves. Such injuries are often worse if accompanied by chemical or pathogen exposure. Skin may crack, bleed or become infected if hand hygiene practices are not followed and workers do not wear appropriate hand protection products. 

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