Purpose
The Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf (ENCSD) is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational environment for students, staff, and visitors. Employees of the school may occasionally encounter blood or other potentially infectious materials while performing their duties.
This policy establishes procedures to reduce or eliminate occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens and to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. The school will take appropriate steps to protect employees from exposure to infectious materials that may cause disease or serious health conditions.
Definitions
For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:
- Bloodborne Pathogens: Pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. Examples include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HVC), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Occupational Exposure: Reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may occur as a result of an employee’s assigned job duties.
- Exposure Incident: A specific eye, mouth, mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that occurs during the performance of an employee’s duties.
- Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM): Human body fluids or materials that may contain bloodborne pathogens, including fluids visibly contaminated with blood.
- Universal Precautions: An infection control approach that treats all blood and certain body fluids as if they are known to be infectious and requires the use of appropriate protective measures.
I. Employees with Reasonably Anticipated Occupational Exposure
Employees whose job duties may reasonably result in contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials are covered under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and this policy. Such employees may include, but are not limited to:
- School nurses and health services staff
- Residential life staff and supervisors
- Athletic staff and coaches
- Custodial and maintenance personnel
- Staff trained to administer first aid or emergency medical response
Incidental contact resulting from voluntary assistance, such as “Good Samaritan” acts, does not generally constitute reasonably anticipated occupational exposure.
II. Universal Precautions
ENCSD will enforce universal precautions at all times. All blood and body fluids shall be treated as if they are infectious.
Employees must follow appropriate infection control procedures, including:
- Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves or protective barriers when exposure is possible.
- Practicing proper hand hygiene.
- Properly disposing of contaminated materials.
- Following approved cleaning and sanitation procedures.
III. Exposure Control Plan
The Superintendent or designee shall develop and maintain a written Exposure Control Plan designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure.
At a minimum, the plan will include:
- Identification of employee classifications and tasks with potential exposure risk.
- Implementation of engineering controls and safe work practices.
- Availability and proper use of protective equipment.
- Procedures for reporting and responding to exposure incidents.
- Post-exposure medical evaluation and follow-up procedures.
- Hepatitis B vaccination availability for eligible employees.
- Employee training and communication procedures.
- Recordkeeping requirements.
The Exposure Control Plan will be reviewed and updated at least annually and whenever necessary to reflect changes in procedures, technology, or job duties.
IV. Employee Training
Employees identified as having occupational exposure risk shall receive training consistent with OSHA requirements:
Training will include, at a minimum:
- Information about bloodborne pathogens and methods of transmission
- Recognition of tasks that may involve exposure
- Proper use of personal protective equipment
- Procedures for handling contaminated materials
- Steps to take following an exposure incident
- Location and contents of the Exposure Control Plan
Training shall occur:
- At the time of initial job assignment, and
- At least annually thereafter.
V. Hepatitis B Vaccination
Employees with occupational exposure risk will be offered the Hepatitis B vaccination series at no cost, in accordance with federal and state health and safety requirements.
Employees who decline vaccination must sign a declination statement as required by OSHA but may later request vaccination if still eligible.
VI. Exposure Incidents and Post-Exposure Evaluation
Any employee who experiences a suspected exposure incident must report the incident immediately to their supervisor or the appropriate administrator.
The school will ensure prompt medical evaluation and follow-up, which may include:
- Documentation of the exposure incident
- Identification and testing of the source individual when permitted by law
- Confidential medical evaluation
- Post-exposure prophylaxis when medically indicated
- Counseling and follow-up testing as recommended by healthcare professionals
All medical information will be handled in accordance with confidentiality requirements under applicable laws and regulations.
VII. Nondiscrimination
ENCSD will not discriminate against any employee who has or is suspected of having communicable disease, including HIV or hepatitis, in accordance with federal and state nondiscrimination laws.
An employee may continue to work as long as they are able to perform the essential functions of their job and their condition does not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
Legal References
- Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. §651 et seq.
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 C.F.R. §1910.1030
- N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 95, Article 16
- 13 N.C.A.C. 7F .0207
- 10A N.C.A.C. 41A .0202 and .0203
This policy shall be reviewed and updated periodically to ensure continued compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and best practices for serving deaf and hard of hearing students.