Exposure Control Plans

OSHA Requires Annual Updates

OSHA has determined that each employer having an employee(s) with occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious body fluids including semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, and any body fluid visibly contaminated with blood MUST establish a written Exposure Control Plan designed to eliminate or minimize employee exposure.

OSHA further stipulates that the Exposure Control Plan shall be reviewed and updated at least annually and whenever necessary to reflect new or modified tasks and procedures which affect occupational exposure and to reflect new or revised employee positions with occupational exposure.

Many citations have been issued to facilities that have NOT updated their Exposure Control Plan to reflect changes in technology that eliminate or reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Other citations have been issued for those that fail to document annually consideration and implementation of appropriate commercially available and effective safer medical devices designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure.

The following are links to information about Exposure Control Plans.
Exposure Control Plan PowerPoint Presentation by ISIPS
CPL 02-02-060 - CPL 2-2.60 - Exposure Control Plan for OSHA Personnel with Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens
OSU BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN
The Western Kentucky University Industrial Hygiene Student Association BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN
University of IOWA Sample Exposure Control Plan
MSU Exposure Control Plan - Exposure Determination
Ernst Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Exposure Control Plan Cal OSHA - Department of Industrial Relations - Exposure Control Plan
Quality America's Exposure Control Plan contains everything ambulatorymedical facilities need to meet OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens, HazardCommunication & TB regulations.

For more information on sharps safety contact the ISIPS website.
The Compendium of Infection Control Technologies is now available for only $89.95

UNOLOK Winged Infusion Set from Myco Medical

I recently had the opportunity of reviewing the UNOLOK Winged Infusion Set from Myco Medical. The UNOLOK PLUS offers a high quality Infusion Set with kink resistant PVC tubing. The siliconized needles have a short bevel and three facet points that minimize the chance of vein perforation during insertion.

The UNOLOK's superior design offers:

• Needle that is shielded throughout withdrawal minimizing risk of accidental needlesticks.


• Shield design maximizes wing flexibility, therefore enhancing ease of use and patient comfort.


• Safe one hand safety shield activation

The UNOLOK Plus’ superior design offers:

• Kink resistant tubing


• Color coded wings for easy gauge identification


• Safe single-handed safety shield activation


• Needle that is shielded throughout withdrawal minimizing risk of accidental needlesticks
  Shield design maximizes wing flexibility, therefore enhancing ease of use and patient comfort

For more information on the UNOLOK PLUS click here.

OOPS! I MADE A MISTAKE! NOW I WANT A HEPATITIS B VACCINATION!

Question:
The question keeps coming up in healthcare facilities. If I declined the hepatitis B vaccination 3 months ago when I started working at this hospital, can I request the employer to provide it for me now?

ANSWER:

Employers MUST Provide Hepatitis B Vaccination if Requested

OSHA has indicated that even if an employee has declined the hepatitis B vaccination and if they are still covered by the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, the employer must provide the vaccination at no charge to the employee. The vaccination must be provided to the employer on company time.

Employers can deny the vaccination only if:

• The healthcare employee has already received the completed hepatitis B vaccination series in the past.


• The vaccination is contraindicated for medical reasons or


• If antibody testing has shown that the employee is immune to Hepatitis B.

More information on sharps safety products and policies can be found at the ISIPS website.