I. Introduction
II. Definitions
For purposes of the Exposure Control Plan the following definitions will apply. Blood means human blood components, and products made from human blood. Bloodborne Pathogens means 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 (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Contaminated means laundry which has been soiled with blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item or surface. Contaminated sharps means any contaminated object that can penetrate the skin including, but not limited to, needles, scalpels, broken glass, broken capillary tubes, shards of metal, and exposed ends of wires. Decontamination means the use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate, or destroy bloodborne pathogens on a surface or item to the point where they are no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles and the surface or item is rendered safe for handling, use, or disposal. Engineering controls means controls (e.g. sharps disposal containers, self-sheathing needles) that isolate or remove the bloodborne pathogens hazard from the workplace. Exposure incident means a specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of an employee's duties. First aider means a person who is occupationally exposed by being available and participating in providing first aid to an injured person. Hand washing facilities means a facility providing an adequate supply of running potable water, soap and single use towels or hot air drying machines. Licensed healthcare professional includes persons who's legally permitted scope of practice allows them to independently perform the activities of examination, preliminary diagnosis, diagnosis, triage, medication administration, and injection. HBV means hepatitis B virus. HIV means immunodeficiency virus. Occupational Exposure means reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee's duties. Other potentially infectious materials means (1) the following human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrol spinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids; (2) any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human (living or dead); and (3) HIV-contaminated cell or tissue cultures, organ cultures, and HIV- or HBV-containing culture medium or other solutions; and blood, organs, or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV. Parenteral means piercing mucous membranes or the skin barrier through such events as needle sticks, human bites, cuts, sticks by sharps, and abrasions. Personal Protective Equipment is specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against a hazard. General work clothes (e.g., uniform, pants, shirts or blouses) not intended to function as protection against a hazard are not considered to be personal protective equipment. Regulated Waste means liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials; contaminated items that would release blood or other potentially infectious materials in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed; items that are caked with dried blood or other potentially infectious materials and are capable of releasing these materials during handling; contaminated sharps; and pathological and microbiological wastes containing blood or other potentially infectious materials. Source individual means any individual, living or dead, whose blood or other potentially infectious materials may be a source of occupational exposure to the employee. Examples include, but are not limited to, hospital and clinic patients; clients in institutions for the developmentally disabled, trauma victims; clients of drug and alcohol treatment facilities; residents of hospices, nursing, and retirement homes; human remains; and individuals who donate or sell blood or blood components. Sterilize means the use of a physical or chemical procedure to destroy all microbial life including highly resistant bacterial endospores. Universal precautions is an approach to infection control. According to the concept of Universal Precautions, all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens. Work practice controls means controls that reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the manner in which a task is performed.
III. Exposure Determination
The following job classifications and/or individuals at Grinnell College may have a potential occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens (a reasonably anticipated contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials which may result from the performance of an employee's duties).
| Faculty/Staff | Administration/Support Staff |
| Art - 5 fac., 1 staff | Bookstore - 4 staff |
| Biology - 11 fac., 3 staff | Computer Services - 5 staff |
| Chemistry - 9 fac., 1 staff | Dean of Students - 11 staff |
| Language Lab - 1 staff | Dean of the College - 1 |
| Library - 25 | Dining Services - 41 staff |
| Physical Education - 18 | Facilities Man. - 90 staff |
| Physics - 8 fac., 1 staff | Health Services - 6 staff |
| Psychology - 1 | Human Resources - 1 staff |
| Psychology Pre-school - 1 | Mail Service - 2 staff |
| Theatre - 3 fac., 1 staff | Music - 1 staff |
| Emeritus/Retired - 1 | President - 1 staff |
| Service Bureau - 2 staff |
These persons, for their job classifications, will have available to them the Hepatitis B vaccination series at no cost to them. Those persons who decline the vaccination series will be required to sign a waiver of vaccine declination.
IV. Exposure Incident
A. All exposure incidents-a specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, cut (non-intact skin) or parenteral contact (needle or other sharp instrument puncture)-with blood or other potentially infectious materials (or suspected exposure incidents) must be reported to the Departmental chair or supervisor immediately or as soon as practicable. The Office of Human Resources and the Grinnell College Safety Officer shall also be notified as soon as practicable by the Departmental chair or supervisor. B. Exposure incidents and suspected incidents will be investigated immediately by the Office of Human Resources or the Safety Officer, depending upon availability. The investigator shall:
- Identify the source individual.
- Identify all employees who were and/or may have been exposed to bloodborne pathogens.
- Document the route and circumstance of exposure.
C. Employees involved in an exposure incident or suspected incident will be provided post-exposure health evaluation and follow-up at no cost to the employee. The program may include the following:
- With the consent of the injured person (source Individual), their blood shall be tested for HBV and HIV. Results of the test will be given to all exposed persons. Exposed persons may be required to obey legally imposed rules regarding confidentiality concerning the source individual. When consent by the injured person is not obtained the College shall document that legally required consent could not be obtained.
- With the consent of the exposed employee, their blood shall be collected as soon as feasible and tested. Blood samples should be held for 90 days if the employee does not consent to HIV serologic testing.
- The amount and type of post-exposure medical follow-up will be directed by the local treating physician, in consultation with the exposed person.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis, when medically indicated, will be available to all exposed employees.
V. Work Practices (First Aid Procedures)
A. All individuals who become involved in a first aid situation involving blood or other body fluids are required to wear safety glasses and gloves, no matter how small the cut or injury (e.g., small sliver, band aid cuts, etc.). Face masks will be used if there is a potential for blood splashing or spraying. B. Mouthpieces and/or masks will be available and used for artificial respiration. C. All individuals involved in a first aid situation, upon completion of duties or treatment, must immediately wash their hands and exposed skin with soap and water. Any clothing contaminated with blood or other body fluids should be removed immediately and discarded. D. All contaminated materials-gloves, cotton, clothes, swabs, rags, towels, masks, etc.-shall be put in plastic self-sealing bags for disposal. E. The First Aid Log must be completed by the person administering first aid. It must list the name of the injured person, type of injury, and the names of all employees involved in providing first aid. F. Equipment and/or surfaces contaminated with blood and/or other body fluids should be cleaned and disinfected as soon as possible. (A solution of one part household bleach and ten parts water is an effective disinfectant concerning bloodborne pathogens.) G. All equipment such as tweezers, scissors, needles (used to remove slivers) which contact blood or other body tissues must either be discarded or sent to the local hospitals for sterilization. Under no circumstances shall non-sterile equipment be used to treat an injury. H. Eating, drinking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, and handling contact lenses is prohibited in all first aid rooms.
VI. Health Care Professionals
The administration of the health care and exposure evaluation and follow-up involving exposure to bloodborne pathogens is not a workers' compensation issue until actual disease is detected and diagnosed; as a result, Grinnell College will select the health care professional for the administration of all vaccinations and all post-exposure evaluations and follow-up. A. The physician involved in the administration of the exposure incident follow-up shall be provided the following information:
- Copies of the OSHA standard.
- Any and all information developed or discovered regarding the exposure incident, including the description of the incident, possible route of exposure, and if available, results or the source individual's blood testing.
- All medical records relevant to the appropriate treatment of the employee including vaccination status.
B. Results of any testing and medical follow-up shall be kept confidential. Exposed persons shall be provided a written report within 15 days of the completed evaluation. The report should be limited to the following:
- A written opinion whether Hepatitis B vaccination is indicated for the exposed person, and if the exposed person has received such vaccination.
- A statement that the exposed person has been informed of the results of the evaluation and he/she has been told about any medical conditions resulting from exposure to blood or other infectious materials which require further evaluation or treatment.
VII. Record Keeping
All written documents and information, i.e., investigation results, doctor opinions, records of vaccinations, shall be kept indefinitely by the College.
VIII. Training
The College will provide yearly training regarding bloodborne pathogens to occupationally exposed persons in the job classifications noted under Section III, above.
