Bloodborne Pathogens

Bloodborne Pathogens Presentation By: Mike Pettit, Senior Loss Control Consultant Tallahassee, Florida

Bloodborne Pathogens: Protecting Yourself & Your Co-Workers

What We Will Cover • What are Bloodborne Pathogens? • Facts and Statistics • Types of Bloodborne Pathogens • How is it Transmitted? • How Do I Protect Myself? • Training • Personal Protective Equipment • Decontamination • Hygiene • Knowing your BBP Kit

What Are Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP)? Bloodborne Pathogen are microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria that are carried in blood and can cause disease in people. Types of BBP: • Malaria • Syphilis • Brucellosis • Hepatitis B (HBV) • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) The two diseases specifically addressed by the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.

Hepatitis B (HBV) • Over 300K people are infected with Hepatitis B each year in the US • This virus is transmitted primarily through “blood to blood” contact • There is no cure for this disease

Need To Know Facts of HBV • This virus is very durable...it will survive in dried blood for up to seven (7) days. • Based on the duration of 7 days, employees such housekeepers and custodians should wear personal protective equipment (gloves, mask, etc).

HBV Symptoms: • Fatigue • Stomach pains • Nausea • Symptoms are like mild “flu”. Note - It can take 1 to 9 months before symptoms become noticeable

HEPATITIS B … IS PREVENTABLE • Prevention – safe practices and IMMUNIZATION • Pre exposure – series of 3 vaccinations • 90% effective for up to 7 YEARS

HEPATITIS B … POST-EXPOSURE • Initiate vaccination series (70-88% effective) • Give immune globulin within 1 WEEK of exposure • 90% effective if given in combination

What Is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)? • AIDS is caused by a virus called HIV • It may take many years to develop AIDS. • HIV attacks the body’s immune system

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) • Over 35K people are infected every year. • There is no known cure. • Seek Medical attention immediately

HIV INFORMATION: • HIV virus is very fragile and will not survive very long outside of the human body. • The primary concern to employees providing first aid or medical care in situations involving fresh blood or other potentially infectious materials. • It is estimated that the chances of contracting HIV in the workplace is only 0.4%. However, all precautions must still be taken.

HIV SYMPTOMS: These are basic symptoms and all employees should consult a physician for proper diagnosis: • Symptoms can vary but often include weakness, fever, sore throat, nausea, headaches, diarrhea, a white coating on the tongue, weight loss, and swollen lymph glands. CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY IF YOU BELIEVE YOU MAY HAVE HIV.

MEANS OF TRANSMISSION HBV, HIV and other blood borne pathogens may be present in: • Blood, vaginal secretions, semen and certain other body fluids; • Body tissues or organs.

MEANS OF TRANSMISSION To cause infection, the virus must enter your body. Some likely ways are: • Sexual contact with an infected partner; • Sharing infected needles; • Cutting yourself with a sharp object that is contaminated with infected blood or fluids

TRAINING 29CFR1910.1030 (g)(2)(i) states training is to be provided: • At the time of initial assignment to tasks where occupational exposure to blood or other potential infectious materials (OPIM) may take place • Annually, thereafter

TRAINING 29CFR1910.1030 (g)(2)(vii) states training is to include: • Hepatitis B vaccine information • Explanations of symptoms • Post-Exposure follow-up procedures • Means of transmission • Location and handling of PPE

PREVENTION • Always take time to put on a pair of leak-proof gloves • Make sure you are wearing eye protection to prevent the transmission of blood borne pathogens through the eyes. • If you get blood or other potentially infectious materials on your skin, immediately wash with soap and water.

PREVENTION • If potentially infectious materials get in your eyes, nose or mouth, immediately flush with running water at a sink or eyewash fountain • Any unprotected contact with blood or other bodily fluids to your supervisor so proper medical follow-up can be made.

CLEAN-UP When blood or body fluids are cleaned up after an accident: • Restrict access to the area • Wear two pairs of leak-proof gloves; avoid tearing gloves • Wear a leak-proof apron to protect your clothes • Do not pick up contaminated sharp objects (glass, nails, sharp metal, etc.) with your hands--sharp objects might cut both your glove and your hands. • Use disposable towels to soak up most of the blood

CLEAN-UP When blood or body fluids are cleaned up after an accident: • Place all contaminated towels and waste in sealed, color-coded or labeled leak-proof container • Dispose of as a regulated waste. • Clean with an appropriate disinfecting solution. • After cleaning, promptly disinfect mops and any other cleaning equipment.

METHODS OF COMPLIANCE “UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS” All human blood and certain human body fluids are to be treated as if KNOWN to be infected.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT You must do the following: • Always wear PPE in exposure situation • Remove and/or Replace PPE that is damaged (torn or punctured). • Remove PPE before leaving the work area.

PPE ITEM - GLOVES • Gloves should be made of latex, nitril, rubber, or other water impervious materials – the fluid must not come into contact with your skin • Double gloving can provided an additional layer of protection. • Bandage any known cuts prior to putting on gloves • Inspect your gloves for tears or punctures before putting them on.

REMOVING CONTAMINATED GLOVES • Disinfect gloves in solution if possible • Grasp palm of glove with other hand • Remove that glove inside out • Slide finger at wrist of gloved hand • Remove second glove inside out • Dispose of both properly

PPE ITEM – EYE PROTECTION Eye Protection: If there is a risk of splashing contaminated fluids, you should wear eye protection Splashing can occur while: • cleaning up a spill • while providing first aid or medical assistance

PPE ITEMS—MASK & APRONS • Face Shields/Mask • Aprons/Gowns

PPE MUST BE … DON’T TRUST IN LUCK ! • Appropriate to the task • Readily available • Readily accessible • Properly maintained • USED!!!

DECONTAMINATE YOURSELF! • Wash thoroughly with soap and water. • Flush eyes for 15 MINUTES • After removing PPE, wash hands with soap and water

DECONTAMINATE THE AREA • Work surfaces • Pails, bins, receptacles • Labware (decontaminate broken glassware BEFORE DISPOSAL) • Use plastic-backed absorbent paper; dispose of as biohazard waste

HOW TO DECONTAMINATE • Household bleach FRESHLY MADE; 10% V/V (¼ cup bleach to 1 gallon water) • Allow sufficient time (At least 10 minutes; depends on surface/material) • Use after spills, at completion of task, and at the end of shift

OTHER HYGIENE PRACTICES • Never eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics, or handle contact lenses if you are working in an area where there is possible exposure. • No food or drink is permitted in laboratories or lab refrigerators designated for lab use.

HAZARD COMMUNICATION • Use warning labels • Post the biohazard symbol • Use red bags / containers • Post signage – agent, entry requirement, contact info • Provide training

Where is your BBP Kit located?

What is available in yourBBP Kit?

BROKEN GLASSWARE • Broken glassware that has been visibly contaminated with blood must be sterilized with an approved disinfectant solution before it is disturbed or cleaned up. • It must be disposed of in an appropriate sharps container. **ONLY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE CONSIDERED TRAINED RESPONDERS SHOULD BE HANDLING ANY OF THESE ITEMS.**

SIGNS, LABELS, & COLOR CODING • Look for warning labels • The labels should be florescent red, orange, and/or orange-red • See your supervisor or the EPA for additional information www.epa.gov 800-368-5888 or 202-566-2075

FOR ANY POTENTIAL BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN EXPOSURE … • Seek IMMEDIATE medical attention • Go to the NEAREST medical facility

RESPONDING TO AN EXPOSED WORKER • Arrange for immediate and confidential medical evaluation • Document how the exposure occurred • Identify and test the source individual, if possible

RESPONDING TO AN EXPOSED WORKER • Test the exposed employee’s blood, if consent is obtained • Provide counseling • Evaluate any reported illness

POST-EXPOSURE EVALUATION& FOLLOW-UP • A confidential medical evaluation and follow-up is available to employees

MEDICAL RECORDS Must be made available to employee

MEDICAL RECORDS All medical records should include: • Employee name and social security number • Status of Hepatitis B vaccination • Results of all exams, testing, and follow-ups

MEDICAL RECORDS Should also include: • Copy of physician’s professional opinion • Copy of information provided to healthcare professional

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE • 29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iii) • Exposure control plans

EXPOSURE CONTROL PLANS Exposure control plans include: • Policy statement • Steps to the determination of employee exposure • Implementation of control methods including: • Universal Precautions • Engineering and work practice controls • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) • Housekeeping

EXPOSURE CONTROL PLANS Exposure control plans include: • Hepatitis B Vaccination • Post-exposure evaluation and follow – up • Communication of hazard to employees and training • Recordkeeping • Procedures for evaluating circumstances surrounding exposure incidents.

EXPOSURE CONTROL PLANS http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3186.pdf

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE ! REMEMBER … For Successful Post-Exposure Treatment

Mike Pettit, Senior Loss Control Consultant Tallahassee, Florida Thank You

Bloodborne Pathogens