G. STUDENT HEALTH SQUAD

Purpose: Members of the Student Health Squad, as a result of performing their job duties, may come in contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials. This Exposure Control Plan will help limit occupational exposure to blood and other infectious materials since any exposure could result in transmission of bloodborne pathogens which could lead to disease or death.

Scope:

All Squad members are covered by this OSHA mandate. This shall include every member classification: crew chief, driver, and observer.

Infectious materials include blood, semen, cerebrospinal fluid, vaginal secretions, and other bodily fluids including any fluid visibly contaminated with blood and all body fluids where it is difficult to differentiate between body fluids.

Procedures in which exposure to blood is likely would include medical calls for falls or incidents which result in lacerations, nosebleeds, some compound fractures, avulsions, amputations, and even scraps and some serious burns. Transporting of tissue or organ cultures or cell cultures would also be included.

Compliance:

Members should treat all body fluids/materials as if they are infectious. All recovered needles at a scene shall be reported to Public Safety Officers, who will place them (or other sharps) in specifically designated containers kept in patrol vehicles. Other potentially infectious material should be handled only when members wear protective items which will be provided by the College such as protective gloves, gowns, and resuscitation masks.

Patients to be transported by the Student Health Squad should be adequately bandaged and/or cleaned in such a way that continued fluid drainage will not contaminate the transport vehicle, If contamination occurs despite preventative efforts, the vehicle passenger area must be thoroughly decontaminated with a bleach solution before being restored to service for another call.

Student Health Squad members are encouraged to thoroughly wash their hands with a bleach solution following exposure to blood. Facilities for washing will be available on request at the Public Safety station and should be used immediately following such exposure if possible.

Disposal of protective gear including disposable pocket masks shall be done in the appropriate container for biohazards at Johnson hail (Public Safety building) or at the Beard Health Center. Containers will be clearly marked. Contaminated clothing shall be removed and brought to the same facilities for cleaning.

Training: Members will be trained in bloodborne pathogen exposure control upon hiring and annually from then on. There will be opportunity for questions and answers with a knowledgeable trainer.

Vaccination:

All members who have been identified as having exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials will be offered the Hepatitis B vaccine at no cost to them within 10 days of their employment unless the member has previously had the vaccine or wished to submit antibody testing which shows he/she has sufficient immunity.

Members who decline the Hepatitis B vaccine must sign a copy of the waiver (Appendix A). Members who initially decline the vaccine, but who later wish to have it may then have the vaccine provided at no cost.

Post-Exposure Evaluation and Follow-Up:

Members who believe they may have been exposed to a bloodborne pathogen are entitled to free laboratory tests by an accredited laboratory. Follow-up must include a confidential medical evaluation which will document the circumstances of exposure, consensual testing of the member’s blood, evaluation of reported illnesses, counseling, and others.

Any exposure shall be documented on the Student Health Squad Transportation Report and reported personally or by telephone to the Public Safety Director or Student Health Squad Coordinator at the earliest possible time.

Recordkeeping: All records required by the OSHA Standard will be gathered and maintained by the College’s Office of Human Resources in Knapp Hall. Questions regarding this plan may be directed to the Squad Coordinator or a Public Safety Supervisor, including the Director.