Exposure Control Plan

1. Exposure Control Plan:
Requires employers to create a written plan that minimizes/eliminates the chances of employee exposure to blood and other potentially infectious bodily fluids. All job classifications in which occupational exposure occurs must also be listed, with no regard to personal protective equipment (PPE). The plan is to be readily available to employees and OSHA on demand. Furthermore, it has to be updated annually or whenever changes occur that affect occupational exposure.

2. Methods of Compliance:
Authorizes, all bodily fluids be considered potentially infectious as defined by universal precautions. Engineering and work practice controls are used to further eliminate/minimize employee exposure. Emphasis on handwashing require

Appropriate PPE consists of gloves, masks, eye protection, gowns other protective clothing that prevents blood and other fluids from making contact with any part of the employee. Employers must ensure the use of PPE as well as its removal and placement into designated areas prior to leaving the work place.

4. Housekeeping requirements:
Employers are to maintain a clean and sanitized worksite by implementing a written schedule for cleaning and decontaminating all surfaces and equipment, in addition to any following contact with potentially infectious materials. The schedule is to include all containers which are likely to become contaminated as well. Equipment for proper handling of broken or contaminated waste shall be provided to avoid contact with hands.

5. Regulated waste requirements:
All contaminated sharps and other regulated waste must be placed into containers which are closable, leak proof, and properly labeled or color-coded. In addition, sharps containers need be puncture proof and put as close as possible to the area of use for immediate disposal of sharps. Contaminated laundry shall too be contained in properly labeled and leak proof containers or bags. Contaminated laundry must be handled as little as possible, all employees who handle contaminated laundry must wear the appropriate

Employees with prior training only need training if the standard now includes tasks not previously included in training. Additional training shall be provided to all employees if tasks and procedures have been modified or the addition of new tasks and procedures takes place. Training must include a copy of the regulatory text of the standard and an explanation of its contents. An explanation of bloodborne diseases and their modes of transmission, the employer’s exposure control plan, how to recognize tasks involving exposure, and explanations on the use of engineering controls, work practices, and PPE must too be included. Furthermore, training must provide information on hepatitis B vaccines, appropriate actions to take during emergencies involving blood and how to handle such incidents, the post-exposure evaluation and follow-up program, and information on signs, labels, and color-coding. The trainer must be knowledgeable in every subject covered during training and must give an opportunity for questions and answers to take place. Any HIV and HBV laboratories and production facility employees must be provided with additional training in conjunction with the above