The Potentially Infectious Material/Bloodborne Pathogens Program affects a variety of areas on campus. As a result, many employees and students may perform tasks that are covered by this policy. These tasks involve much more than working only with human blood. An employee or student is covered by this policy if they work with or are potentially exposed to any of the following materials:
- Blood which includes human blood, human blood components and products made from human blood.
- Human body fluids including: semen, vaginal secretions, cerecerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, plural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, salvia in dental procedures and any body fluid visibly contaminated with blood.
- Any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human living or dead.
- Cell, tissue or organ cultures from humans or experimental animals unless known and proven to be free of bloodborne pathogens.
- Blood, organs, or other tissues from experimental animals unless known and proven to be free of bloodborne pathogens.
- Culture medium unless known and proven to be free of bloodborne pathogens.
Procedures and specifications for working with or handling potentially infectious material are covered in the Potentially Infectious Material/Bloodborne Pathogens Program Manual. This program encompasses all persons who work in jobs or as a part of their academic instruction may reasonably be exposed to those materials. This could include students or employees in teaching or research laboratories, police officers, housekeepers, emergency response personnel, health care providers and others.
The basic steps of the program are as follows:
- Determine if employees or students are at risk by completing a Risk Appraisal Survey.
- Establish an Exposure Control Plan. This should include Sharps Evaluation and Sharps Injury Log.
- Provide training to potentially exposed personnel via the SkillSoft Academy or by another avenue of approved training. If provided outside of the Academy, the PI or supervisor must ensure the completion and maintenance of Documentation of Participation in Bloodborne Pathogen Training Program.
- Implement the use of universal precautions as described in the Potentially Infectious Material/Bloodborne Pathogens Program Manual and the UA Biosafety Manual.
- Identify and use engineering controls, work practice controls and personal protective equipment as referenced in the Potentially Infectious Material/Bloodborne Pathogens Program Manual and the UA Biosafety Manual .
- The Hepatitis B Vaccination Information and Consent Form for vaccinations is provided by the medical provider upon evaluation. Otherwise the Hepatitis B Vaccination Decline to Accept Form must be completed for declination statements. Records of vaccination status can be maintained using the Documentation of Student/Employee Hepatitis B Vaccination Status (a generic form to track the Hepatitis B vaccination process).
- Use labels and signs to communicate hazards. Contact EHS to get signs and labels, if needed.
- Contact EHS anytime someone is potentially exposed to infectious materials, including needle sticks, spills, accidents, injuries, and near misses.
- Make available post exposure evaluation and follow up to those who experience an exposure incident.
For guidance and further information on the Bloodborne Pathogen Policy as it relates to research or academic laboratories or functions, contact EHS.
For further information as it relates to facilities or other service areas, contact EHS.