Procedure:     Bloodborne Pathogens: Exposure
Department:    Human Resources
Contact:          Dennis Carr, (541) 463-5583         carrd@lanecc.edu

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 29CFR1910.1030 requires supervisors to evaluate employees' occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.  For employees with occupational exposure, the supervisor is expected to reduce the risk of infection by using a combination of engineering and work practice controls, personal protective clothing and equipment, medical follow-up of exposure incidents, vaccination and extensive training.

A master list of all college positions determined to have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens is maintained in Human Resources. The supervisor is responsible for notifying Human Resources when positions need to be added to or deleted from the master list.  The supervisor is also responsible for notifying Human Resources when new employees are hired into covered positions. Human Resources collaborates with Student Health Services to provide training and Hepatitis B vaccinations to all employees in positions on the master list.

Exposure Incidents

Exposure incidents need to be medically evaluated within 2 hours of exposure.

All college employees are considered to be SAIF-eligible (covered by workers compensation coverage) while performing their college jobs, including Cooperative Work Experience (CWE), Workstudy, and Learn and Earn students.

Staff covered by workers compensation coverage (SAIF): 

Call Cascade Health Solutions at 2650 Suzanne Way #200, Springfield, 541-228-3096 immediately and make arrangements to be seen.  If Cascade Health Solutions is not available the employee should go to the emergency room of a major hospital and state that they have an occupational exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens.

Complete a SAIF accident form.  Human Resources will provide assistance to the department and employee in completing the required worker's compensation insurance paperwork.


Persons not covered by workers compensation coverage:

For example visitors to campus, students in labs, etc shall be directed to seek medical care within two hours at a major hospital.  Treatment and evaluation costs are the responsibility of the person seeking treatment.  

Staff need to document persons name and advise given.

A student accident form needs to be completed.

Record Keeping

Human Resources is responsible for maintaining training records. 

Definitions

Bloodborne Pathogens - Any pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans.  These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Occupational Exposure - Having a reasonable chance of skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral (piercing) contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials in the performance of assigned job duties.
 
Staff Covered by Workers Compensation Coverage – SAIF eligible: All college employees including Cooperative Work Experience (CWE), Workstudy, and Learn and Earn students while performing their college jobs.