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Bloodborne Pathogens

Subpart 1910.1030

General Industry Standard

What is a Bloodborne Pathogen?

Any microorganisms, present in human blood and bodily fluids, that can cause disease (pathogenic)

Two most prevalent are:– Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Liver Disease– Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Aids

Hepatitis B - Facts

Hepatitis B is a liver disease, resulting initially in inflammation of the liver.

Frequently leads to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Approximately 300,000 new cases of Hepatitis B are diagnosed each year in the U.S.

Hepatitis B - Facts

There is no cure for Hepatitis B. Enters through breaks in the skin

– Needle sticks– Bites– Existing cuts or abrasions

2-6 months for HBV to develop.

Hepatitis B - Facts

A vaccine exists that can prevent infection.

Employees who render first aid and cpr must be offered this vaccine– Within 10 days following start of that

position– Provided by employer at no cost to the

employee – 3 shots over a 7 month period

HIV (AIDS) - Facts

Newest major bloodborne disease Currently 9 million active cases of AIDS and 7

million AIDS deaths Currently 23 million people are HIV Positive

– Majority of infected persons live in underdeveloped countries

• 15 million – Africa• 5 million SE Asia

HIV (AIDS) - Facts

Over 1 million U.S. citizens are infected. HIV/AIDS is on the increase among

women, Blacks, Hispanics, adolescents, IV drug users, homosexuals and their partners, and people living in the rural Midwest and South.

The HIV virus is never inactive-it replicates rapidly and attacks the immune system from the onset.

HIV (AIDS) - Facts

Many people have no apparent symptoms for years after infection.

There is no cure for AIDS, but people are surviving longer due to new anti-retroviral drugs

Definitions

Occupational Exposure Routes – – Unprotected contact with organic waste

(sewage), non-sterile needles, skin lesions, eye fluids, saliva, mucous, blood or materials that have been in contact with body fluids.

Non-Occupational Exposure Routes - – Sexual transmission

Definitions

Parenteral – – Piercing of mucous membranes or the

outer skin with needles, bites, cuts, or abrasions

Universal Precautions –– Treat all blood and other body fluids as if

they are infected – wear latex gloves, masks, and wash hands

Definitions

Body Fluids and Specific Exposures – – Fluids around the heart and lungs(pleural,

pericardial)– Fluids around unborn babies(amniotic and

peritoneal) – Saliva (specifically in dental procedures) – Brain/Spinal fluids (cerebrospinal)– Any body fluid that contains blood– Vaginal Secretions– Semen

Exposure Control Plan

In writing, employers must identify all tasks where occupational exposures to body fluids may occur

Compliance – – Mandates universal precautions– Emphasizes engineering and work practice controls– Mandates employer provision of all Personal

Protective Equipment as required– Requires a written procedure for clean-up and

decontamination

Personal Protective Equipment

Items to be added to First Aid Kits– Two sets of rescue breathers with one-way

valve– Four pair of disposable latex gloves– Ten separately-packaged alcohol prep

pads

Personal Protective Equipment

Bloodborne Pathogens Clean up kit– One full length

impervious apron– One fluid shield mask– Two pair latex gloves– One antimicrobial wipe– One biohazard waste

bag– scoop

Bleach– ½ gallon of bleach to

a gallon of water for decontamination

– Each mixture must be used within 24 hours

Absorbent– Good source is cat

litter

Most important!!!

Wash hands immediately and thoroughly after any exposure or potential exposure

Clean Up

Always wear protective equipment

Always use a bag with a bio-hazard label for disposal of waste

Always wash hands after exposure Biohazard Symbol

Recordkeeping

OSHA requires all medical records for employees with occupational exposure to be kept for duration of employment plus 30 years

Must be kept confidential Retrain employees each

year and keep training records for 3 years

REMEMBER!

Always treat blood and body fluids as infectious

Always report incidents of possible (unprotected) contact to management

Always wash hands immediately and thoroughly with non abrasive soap and water

Be trained and prepared to act BEFORE an emergency occurs

Summary

Protecting yourself from bloodborne diseases requires: – knowing the facts– practicing good hygiene– taking sensible precautions

These are measures that you can control These measures are critical - take them

seriously - and live to tell others about it!