HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 PD Exposure Control PlanGeneral Order Number. 490U
Subject: EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN
Indexed as: Bloodborne Pathogens; Communicable Disease; Exposure Control
Special Instructions: Amends 490h( (dated 0312497 01/04119)
Date Issued Effective Date Rev. # 0 10 Page
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I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to establish guidelines for taking precautionary actions when
dealing with communicable diseases.
II. SCOPE
This procedure shall apply to all Sebastian Police Department personnel
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It is the policy of the Chief of Police to safeguard, to the highest degree possible, Department employees and members
of the public who come in contact with people who have, or are suspected of having, a communicable disease without
sacrificing essential services to the community or individual citizens.
Employees are always responsible for treating people fairly and humanely. When handling or assisting persons with
medical afflictions, employees bare the additional responsibility of being especially sensitive towards the person's
condition and to treat the person with the same dignity reserved for all people with whom they have contact.
Information on record (i.e. test results) regarding an employee or arrestee with AIDS or other communicable disease is
confidential. Access to such information is limited to only staff who have a legal need to know. Disclosure of any
information except as required by law must not be made unless the express written consent of the person is obtained.
IV. STATEMENT OF REASSURANCE
The precautionary measures found in the Bloodbome Pathogens; Policies and Procedures Manual are necessary under
certain, specified conditions to minimize the risk of infection to employees of the Department. However, employees are
reminded that there is no medical evidence indicating that Hepatitis B or AIDS can be transmitted by casual contact.
The kinds of non -sexual person to person contacts that generally occur between an employee and ameslee or victim do
not pose a risk of disease transmission. The routine handling, transporting and detention of persons should continue
according to present policy and procedures.
V. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
One of the major goals of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Is to regulate facilities where work
is carded out. The goal is to promote safe work practices In an effort to minimize incidences of illness and injury
experienced by employees. Relative to this goal, OSHA has enacted the Bloodbome Pathogens Standard, coded as
29 CFR 1910.1030. The purpose of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard is to 'reduce occupational exposure to
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other bloodborne pathogens" that employees may
encounter in their workplace. The City of Sebastian meets OHSA regulations regarding infectious diseases.
The City of Sebastian is committed to ensuring the personal health and safety of all its employees. The prevention of
occupationally induced injuries and illnesses is of such consequence that it will be given precedence over operating
productivity whenever necessary. The prevention of occupationally induced illness is the responsibility of each
employee. To the greatest degree possible, the City will provide the facilities, the equipment and the training required
for the personal safety and health of each employee in keeping with the highest professional standards.
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The City of Sebastian believes that there are a number of good general principles to be followed. These principles
include:
It is prudent to minimize all exposure to bloodbome pathogens and hazardous materials.
Risk of exposure to bloodbome pathogens and hazardous materials should never be underestimated.
We will institute as many work practices and engineering controls as possible to eliminate or minimize
employee exposure to bloodbome pathogens and hazardous materials.
This Exposure Control Plan meets the letter and intent of the OHSA Bloodbome Pathogens Standard. The objective of
this plan is twofold:
To protect employees from the health hazards associated with bloodbome pathogens and hazardous materials.
To provide appropriate treatment and counseling should an employee be exposed to bloodbome pathogens
andlor hazardous materials.
W. DEFINITIONS
A. Biohazardous Materials — Primarily medical waste, but may include disease causing agents that are not
medical waste. Medical waste is often referred to as "red bag waste due to the fact that it is packed in
lined cardboard boxes, Both types of containers are clearly marked "biohazardous" and should display
the identity of the generator of the waste.
B. Bloodbome Pathogens — 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).
C. Exposure to Communicable Diseases —An exposure occurs when a person's blood or body fluids
transfers to another person's blood stream. This can occur in three ways:
1. Needle sticks (i.e. accidental needle stick while searching people or places).
2. Through human bites or through openings in the skin (i.e. cuts, sores, abrasions, etc.) which
are exposed to blood or body fluids.
3. Splashes into eyes, nose or mouth.
Fluids include: blood, semen, saliva, urine, tears, stool, vomit.
The mere handling of an arrestee during the arrest process or during subsequent detention does not
constitute an exposure. For an actual exposure to occur, at least one of the above conditions must be
met.
D. Exposure Control Officer — Deputy Chief
E. First Responders — All sworn personnel shall be considered as "First Responders". Additionally, this
shall also include the Crime ScenelEvidence Technician.
F. Hazardous Materials —Any explosive, flammable oxidizer (i.e. acids) poison, biohazardous (i.e. medical
waste or disease causing agent), corrosive, pesticide, radioactive substance or other substance in a
quantity or form that may pose an unreasonable risk to health, safety or property.
G. Hazardous Materials Incident (HMI) — Encompasses a wide variety of potential situations. Each
particular incident is different and must be handled according to the situations present. These Incidents
include, but are not limited to, fires, explosions, leaks, spills, chemical reactions, biohazards,
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transportation accidents, leaking storage containers, some illegal waste disposals and any similar
incidents in which hazards may include toxicity, flammability, radioactivity, corrosive qualities or hazards
to health of the environment.
H. Pesticide —Or necessary poison, means any substance or mixture intended to prevent, destroy, repel
or control insects, rodents, worths, fungus, weeds, or other forms or plant life, or some virus (not in
humans or animals). These include, but are not limited to insecticides, herbicides, algaecides and
fungicides.
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Program Management
1. Responsible Persons —There are four major *Categories of Responsibility that are central to
the effective implementation of this Exposure Control Plan. They are as follows: Safety
Committee, Supervisors, Training and Employees. The following sections define the roles
played by each of these groups in carrying out our plan.
a. The Safety Committee —The Safety Committee will be responsible for overall
management and support of the Exposure Control Program. Activities delegated to the
Safety Committee include, but are not limited to:
1. Overall responsibility for implementing the Exposure Control Plan for the City.
2. Work with management and employees to develop and administer any
additional related policies and practices needed to support the effective
implementation of this plan.
3. Look for ways to improve the Exposure Control Plan, as well as to revise and
update the plan when necessary.
4. Collect and maintain a suitable reference library on the Bloodbome Pathogens
Standard and bloodbome pathogens and hazardous material safety and health
Information.
5. Conducting periodic audits to maintain an up-to-date Exposure Control Plan.
Supervisors —Supervisors are responsible for exposure control in their respective
areas. They are responsible for ensuring proper exposure control procedures are
followed.
Training
The Safety Committee, Supervisors and Administrafive Services will be
responsible for providing information and training to all employees who have
the potential for exposure by:
a. Developing suitable education/training programs
b. Scheduling periodic training seminars for employees.
C. Maintaining appropriate training documentation such as sign in sheets,
quizzes, etc.
d. Periodically reviewing the training programs to ensure they include
appropriate new information.
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Training shall occur prior to assignment of new hires and, annually, for all
members who are at high risk.
Records of the training must be maintained for three years and must Include
names, dates, and instructors.
A basic training program is outlined in the "Infectious Disease Lesson Plan
Outline" (page 13 of this procedure).
d. Employees— Employees have the most important role in the compliance program, for
the ultimate execution of much of our Exposure Control Plan rest in their hands. In this
role they must do things such as:
1. Know what tasks they perform that have occupational exposure.
2. Attend appropriate training sessions.
3. Plan and conduct all operations in accordance with our work practice controls.
4. Develop good personal hygiene habits.
2. Availability of the Exposure Control Plan to Employees —To help employees with their efforts,
the Exposure Control Plan is presented during new -hire orientation and is available to
employees at any time. Employees are advised of this availability during their
education/training sessions. Copies of the Exposure Control Plan are maintained in
department Safety Manuals.
3. Review and Update of the Plan —The exposure control plan will be reviewed and updated
under the following circumstances:
a. Annually
b. Whenever new or modified tasks and procedures are implemented which affect
occupational exposure of our employees.
G. Whenever employees' jabs are revised such that new instances of occupational
exposure may occur.
4. Exposure Determination —Job Descriptions shall identify positions that have exposure to
bloodbome pathogens and hazardous materials.
B. Method of Compliance — There are a number of precautions that will effeotively eliminate or minimize
exposure to bloodbome pathogens and/or hazardous materials.
Universal Precautions
a. The practice of "Universal Precautions'. Treat all human blood and body fluids as if
they are known to be infectious of HBV/HIV and other bloodbome pathogens.
In circumstances where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluid
types assume all body fluids to be potentially infectious.
Engineering Controls
One of the key aspects to the Exposure Control Plan is the use of Engineering Controls
to eliminate or minimize employee exposure to bloodbome pathogens and hazardous
materials. As a result, employees shall use cleaning, maintenance and other
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equipment that is designed to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious
or hazardous materials.
Supervisors should periodically review work tasks and procedures performed where
engineering controls can be implemented or updated.
Existing equipment is reviewed for proper function, needed repair or replacement every
twelve (12) months.
C. Engineering Control Equipment — The following sections have, or should have Engineering Control
Equipment to eliminate or minimize employees' exposure: In addition to the engineering controls
identified on the list, the following engineering controls are used:
Section/Operation Control Equipment Update Last Review
1. Hand washing facilities (or antiseptic hand cleaners and towels or antiseptic lowelettes), are
readily accessible to all employees who have potential for exposure.
2. Disposable gloves.
3. Containers for contaminated supplies.
4. Sturdy plastic bags (red in color) with Biohazard Waste warning labels printed Bilingual.
D. Work Practice Controls
In addition to engineering controls, Work Practice Controls help eliminate or minimize employee
exposure.
a. Employees use a resuscitator mask when performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or
CPR.
b. Disposable surgical gloves shall be worn when handling persons and blood or other
body fluids, regardless of whether such fluids are wet or dry.
C. Employees wash their hands Immediately, or as soon as feasible, after removal of
potentially contaminated gloves or other personal protective equipment.
d. Employees must be aware of the danger of spreading this contamination to vehicles,
people and residences. The employee should move out of the contaminated area to
avoid further exposure, but only to a distance so that further exposure is limited and
spread of contamination is contained.
e. Following any contact with infectious or hazardous material including blood or other
body fluids, employees should wash their hands and any other exposed skin
thoroughly and immediately with hot water and soap as soon as possible. Hand
washing is recommended even if gloves have been worn, They should also flush
exposed mucous membranes with water.
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I. Make it a practice to bandage open wounds or cuts on hands to avoid direct contact
with contaminated body fluids. Bandages should be changed if they become wet or
soiled.
g. Eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm and handling contact lenses
is prohibited in work areas where there is potential for exposure.
h. Food and drink must not be kept in refrigerators, freezers, on countertops or in other
storage areas where other potentially infectious materials are present.
I. Use extraordinary care when conducting searches of suspects or vehicles. Never
blindly place hands in areas where there may be sharp objects that could puncture the
skin.
j. Employees who have been diagnosed as having leukemia or other forms of cancer, or
who are taking medicine which suppresses the immune system should not enter areas
where there are body fluids present or have contact with persons who have AIDS.
k. All procedures involving infectious materials should minimize splashing, spraying or
other actions generating droplets of these materials.
I. Materials must be placed in designated leak -proof containers, appropriately labeled, for
handling and storage.
M. Equipment which becomes contaminated is examined prior to servicing or shipping,
and decontaminated as necessary (unless it can be demonstrated that
decontamination Is not feasible).
n. An appropriate blohazard warning label must be attached to any contaminated
equipment, Identifying the contaminated portions.
o. Information regarding the remaining contamination is conveyed to all affected
employees, the equipment manufacturer and the equipment service representative
prior to handling, servicing or shipping.
p. The shift supervisor should have Communications notify Sebastian Fire Rescue and
have the Hazardous Materials Response Team respond.
q. The shift supervisor should make all reasonable and safe attempts to determine the
cause of the contamination, what type or name of the material caused the
wntaminabon and secure the scene of the incident.
r. Should a product source of contamination be identified, the shift supervisor should
utilize the Emergency Response Guidebook DOT-P-5800.5, and follow the guidelines
until the incident Is turned over to Fire Rescue.
S. In the case of chemical spills and other chemical exposure, CHEM TREC 1-800-424-
9300, should be called.
t. Detention of Persons with Communicable Diseases
Persons with a communicable disease (or persons claiming to have a
communicable disease) but who do not appear to need emergency care, shall
be isolated. On arrival at the detention facility Officers will notify the
corrections officers of the status of the detainee.
Persons in obvious need of medical attention will be transported to the nearest
medical care facility according to present policy.
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3. Persons dying while in the custody of the Department shall be examined by the
Medical Examiner for infectious diseases during the autopsy if any of the
following conditions exist:
a. An Officer was exposed to the person's body fluids.
b. When information indicates the person was a disease carder.
C. When the person was an I.V. drug user.
d. It shall be the responsibility of the Exposure Control Officer to ensure
that a specific request is made to the Medical Examiner for an
infectious disease examination.
2. New employees shall be trained in the appropriate work practice controls by:
a. Reviewing the employees' job description and the essential and marginal functions that
will be performed.
b. The employee is trained by the Supervisor, regarding work practice controls.
E. Evidence Handling
1. Evidence or other materials coming into the custody of the Police Department and are
suspected of being contaminated, should be treated with extraordinary care.
2. All materials contaminated with blood or other body fluids, whether wet or dry, should be
handled with disposable gloves.
3. Hypodermic needles and other sharp objects shall be packaged in puncture -resistant
containers. To prevent needle stick injuries, needles should not be capped, bent, broken,
removed from the syringe or otherwise manipulated by hand.
4. Packages containing contaminated items or items suspected of being contaminated shall be
clearly labeled. The warning "BIOHAZARD" shall be prominently written on the outside of the
packaging materials in such a fashion that anyone coming in contact with the item will be aware
of the risk.
5. Packages containing evidence found during searches of body cavities (i.e. narcotics) shall
display on the outside of the package a note describing the location where the evidence was
found. The note will wam subsequent evidence handler of possible contaminated evidence.
F. Evidence Handling— Protective Equipment
1. Personal protective equipment is the first line of defense against exposure. The City provides
Personal Protective Equipment required to protect employees against such exposure. The
equipment includes, but is not limited to:
a. Gloves (Disposable surgical)
b. Face shields/masks (3M surgical-style/filter mask)
C. CPR Microshields
d. Coats/jackets
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It will be the responsibility of all supervisors to ensure that all vehicles and work areas have the
appropriate personal protective equipment available to employees.
3. Employees shall be trained regarding the use of the appropriate personal protective equipment
for their job description. Additional training is provided, when necessary, if an employee takes
a new position or newjob functions are added to their current position.
4. To ensure that personal protective equipment is not contaminated and is in the appropriate
condition to protect employees from potential exposure, we adhere to the following practices.
a. All personal protective equipment is cleaned periodically and repaired or replaced as
needed to maintain its effectiveness.
b. Reusable personal protective equipment is cleaned, laundered and decontaminated as
needed.
Single use personal protective equipment is disposed of by placing such equipment in
a BIOHAZARD bag.
5. To ensure equipment is used as effectively as possible, employees shall adhere to the
following practices when using their personal protective equipment:
a. Any garments peaatraled contaminated by blood, infectious or hazardous materials.
are removed immediately, or as soon as feasible.
b. All potentially contaminated personal protective equipment is removed prior to leaving
a work area or accidentrincident site, if possible (or as soon as is feasible).
C. Gloves are worn in the following circumstances:
Whenever employees anticipate hand contact with potentially infectious
materials.
2. When handling or touching contaminated items or surfaces.
d. Disposable gloves are replaced as soon as practical after contamination if they are
tom, punctured, or otherwise loose their ability to function as an exposure barrier.
e. Utility gloves are replaced.
f. Masks and eye protection (such as goggles, faceshields, etc.) are used whenever
splashes or sprays may generate droplets of infectious or hazardous materials.
g. Protective clothing (such as coats) is worn whenever potential exposure to the body is
anticipated.
G. Decontamination and Clean -Up Procedures
Wash hands thoroughly and immediately with hot soapy water. Hand washing is your best
protection against infectious diseases.
2. Uniforms or other clothing soiled with blood or other body Fluids should be disposed of by
placing in a red plastic bag (either in the ambulance or bags provided by the Sebastian Police
Department), sealed with tape (no staples) and then labeled with the "BIOHAZARD" waming if
not already on the bag.
3. The officer will deliver the contaminated items to the Indian River Medical Center Emergency
Room. The Emergency Room personnel will deliver the package to the Environmental
Services Personnel for disposal.
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3. Resuscitator masks and evidence collection equipment contaminated with blood or other body
fluids should be replaced after each use.
4. Vehicles/work areas contaminated by blood or other body fluids should be cleaned immediately
following the person's release and prior to confining another person in the same vehiclelwork
area.
Decontamination shall be accomplished by the following procedures:
Use disposable surgical gloves during any decontamination procedure.
Small items or equipment:
Wash the item with soap and hot water and then rinse thoroughly.
2. Soak item in a solution of water and household bleach for 10 to 15 minutes.
Use a concentration of i to 1 'h cups of bleach for each gallon of water. Rinse
with water and air dry.
Large areas shall be disinfected with the bleach and water solution and then cleaned
with soap or detergent.
H. Disposal of Contaminated Items
1. Disposable surgical gloves, clothing and other contaminated items must be disposed of
properly to minimize the risk of infection.
2. Contaminated items shall be placed in red plastic bags (either in the ambulance or bags
provided by the Sebastian Police Department), sealed with tape (no staples) and then labeled
with the "BIOHAZARD" warning if not already on the bag. Hypodermic needles and other sharp
objects shall be packaged in puncture -resistant containers.
3. The officer will deliver the contaminated items to the Indian River Medical Center Emergency
Room. The Emergency Room personnel will deliver the package to the Environmental
Services Personnel for disposal.
4. Items contaminated with blood or other body fluids shall be deposited in a secure container for
disposal.
5. The shift supervisor will have the responsibility to ascertain that the decontamination, clean-up,
and disposal of contaminated items are completed. Upon completion of these procedures, the
shift supervisor will document the incident and submit a supervisors injury report.
Updated Information
New information is obtained by the medical community on infectious diseases continuously.
Updated information will be provided to all police personnel through the Exposure Control
Officer.
2. It will be the responsibility of the Training Coordinator to disseminate in a timely manner new
information pertaining to infectious diseases and the handling of persons verified as having or
suspected of having infectious diseases.
Housekeeping
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Maintaining equipment and facility in a clean and sanitary condition is an important part of the
Compliance Program. To facilitate this, a written schedule for cleaning and decontamination of
equipment and appropriate areas of the facility should be maintained. The schedule provides
the following information:
a. The equipment or area to be cleaned/decontaminated.
b. Day and time of scheduled work.
C. Cleansers and disinfectants to be used.
d. Any special instructions that are appropriate.
Using this schedule, the Department employs the following practices:
All equipment and surfaces are cleaned and decontaminated after contact with
potentially hazardous material.
All trash containers, pails, bins, and other receptacles intended for use routinely are
inspected, cleaned and decontaminated as soon as possible if they are visibly
contaminated.
The Facilities Maintenance supervisor for the City is responsible for cleaning and
decontamination schedule and ensuring it is carried out.
Great care should be taken in handling regulated waste (disposal of personal protective
equipment and other potentially Infectious materials). The following procedures will be followed
when handling these types of waste. They shall be discarded or bagged in containers that are:
a. Closeable
b. Puncture resistant if the discarded materials have potential to penetrate the container.
C. Leak proof if the potential for Fluid spill or leakage exists.
d. Red in color or labeled with the appropriate biohazard warring label.
e. Containers for this regulated waste are placed in appropriate locations in our vehicles
and facility within easy access of employees and as close as possible to the source of
the waste.
f. Waste containers are maintained upright, routinely replaced and not allowed to overfill.
K. Hepatitis B Vaccination —Adherence to all of the exposure prevention practices may not prevent an
accident. As a result, a Hepatitis B Vaccination Program has been established should exposure to
bloodbome pathogens occur.
The City has a preventive vaccination program. The program is available, at no cost, to all
employees within ten working days of initial assignment who have occupational exposure to
bloodbome pathogens.
The vaccination program consists of a series of three inoculations over a six-month period: As
part of their bloodbome pathogens training, employees will receive Information regarding
Hepatitis vaccination, including its safety and effectiveness.
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3. Employees taking part in the vaccination program will sign a consent form to receive the
vaccination. Employees who have declined to take part in the program will sign a refusal form.
Those who refuse may at a later date partake in the program If they wish.
4. To ensure that all employees are aware of the vaccination program, It will be discussed in
bloodbome pathogen training and at new -hire Orientation.
5. Vaccinations are provided by, or under the supervision of, a licensed physician or a licensed
health care professional.
L. Exposure Treatment
1. An employee who believes he/she has been exposed to an infectious disease shall:
a. Thoroughly wash the area with soap and hot water, if direct personal contact was
made.
b. Gather information about the person involved (keeping in mind the confidentiality
policy). InfomaUon collected by the employee shall include name, date of birth, any
medical information legally available, where the person is now, and what has led the
employee to believe the person has an infectious disease.
C. Contact supervisor immediately. A Notice of Injury Report will be completed.
d. Contact the closest hospital emergency room, advise the doctor of all the facts about
the exposure and follow the doctor's instructions.
e. If an employee is off duty and acting in the line of duty and believes he/she has been
exposed to an infectious disease, he/she shall contact the shift supervisor. After doing
so, the employee shall follow the procedures in this section.
2. Communicable Disease Information Resources
a. The emergency room of area hospitals.
b. Indian River Health Department
M. Post Exposure Evaluation and Follow -Up
1. If an employee is exposed to bloodbome pathogens their supervisor will:
a. Investigate the circumstances surrounding the exposure incident.
b. Ensure the employee receives medical consultation and treatment (if required) as
expeditiously as possible.
2. The Deputy Chief shall review every exposure incident that occurs. This will occur within 24
hours after the incident and involves gathering the following information:
a. When the incident occurred Date and Time.
b. Where the incident occurred.
c. What potentially infectious or hazardous materials were involved in the incident. Type
of material.
d. Source of material.
e. Under what circumstances the incident occurred. Type of work being performed.
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How the incident was caused.
Personal protective equipment being used at the time of the incident.
Actions taken as a result of the incident, employee decontamination, cleanup,
notifications made.
After this information is gathered, it is evaluated. A written summary of the incident is prepared.
Recommendations are made for avoiding a similar incident in the future.
The City will comply with all applicable laws as they relate to medical information.
N. Record Keeping
The Sebastian Police Department shall maintain all training records for a period of three (3)
years.
Medical records shall be kept for each employee with occupational exposure at the City of
Sebastian Administrative Services Department for the duration of employment plus thirty (30)
years.
Medical records shall be made available through the City of Sebastian Personnel Department
to the individual employee, anyone with written consent of that employee, and the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Occupational Safety and Health Act
(OSHA).
�chelle� M� orris � ��
Chief of Police
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