Campus Safety and Security

Bloodborne Pathogens

Section: Campus Safety and Security Policies
Policy Name: Bloodborne Pathogens
Policy Owner: Executive Vice President
Responsible University Office: Office of Environmental Health and Safety
Origination Date: August 29, 1988
Revisions: March 15, 1994
Legacy Policy Number: 7-31
  1. PURPOSETo protect workers from the risks of being occupationally infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus, or other bloodborne pathogens and to implement the OSHA Standard 29 CFR Section 1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogens.
  2. DEFINITIONS
    1. Blood: means human blood, human blood components, and products made from human blood.
    2. 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).
    3. Other Potentially Infectious Materials means:
      1. The following human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal 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-containing 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.
    4. Occupational Exposure: 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.
  3. SCOPEThis policy applies to all University personnel, employees, students and visitors, who are exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials as a result of their University sponsored activities.
  4. POLICY
    1. The Director of Environmental Health and Safety shall be responsible for determining which job classifications are subject to regulation by the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, hereafter referred to as the Standard.
    2. The DEHS shall write and maintain a current Exposure Control Plan (ECP) for the University which establishes a program to assure compliance with the Standard.
    3. Deans, directors, chairpersons, principal investigators, laboratory instructors, and line supervisors shall assure compliance with the requirements established in the University ECP. Individuals responsible for assuring compliance with this policy shall correct violations upon detection. Disciplinary actions shall be taken as needed.
    4. Hepatitis B vaccinations shall be offered to all individuals occupationally exposed and provided free of charge to employees who are subject to regulation by the Standard.

For further information or copies of the Exposure Control Plan, please contact Environmental Health and Safety, ext. 8475.