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Back to Policy Section VI: General Administration
Section VI: General Administration

Policy Number: VI-11.00(B)

University of Maryland, College Park Policy on Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

(Approved by the President )

I. Policy Statement

A. Purpose

It is recognized that certain job activities at the University of Maryland at College Park may result in occupational exposure to human blood and other body fluids. It is also recognized that some of these body fluids may contain bloodborne pathogens such as the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This is a statement of official University policy to describe the mechanism for compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation, "Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens; Final Rule" (29 CFR Part 1910.1030)" to insure worker safety and environmental protection.

B. Policy

The University is dedicated to providing a safe workplace for employees, and to complying with federal and state occupational health and safety standards. Laboratory administrators, managers, supervisors, faculty and staff share responsibility for minimizing their occupational exposure to human blood and other potentially-infectious materials. For purposes of this policy, "human blood" is defined as human blood, human blood components, and products made from human blood; and "potentially-infectious materials" is defined as (1) semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, and body fluids that are visibly contaminated with blood, 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 human 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.

The Exposure Control Plan shall be implemented for all facilities at the University of Maryland College Park where performance of employees' duties can be expected to result in skin, mucous membrane or parenteral contact with human blood or other potentially-infectious material (which, for purposes of this Policy, shall be considered "occupational exposure").

The Exposure Control Plan shall be reviewed and evaluated for its effectiveness at least annually. It will be updated as needed to reflect new or modified procedures which affect occupational exposure and to reflect new or revised employee positions with occupational exposure.

C. Responsibilities

  1. Department of Environmental Safety shall:
    1. Prepare the Exposure Control Plan with annual review, and revisions as necessary;
    2. Distribute the Plan to each affected worksite;
    3. Investigate, document and report to the University Health Center, incidents of suspected exposure to human blood or other potentially-infectious material;
    4. Collect and dispose of Biological, Pathological and Medical Waste;
    5. Provide or coordinate training for all affected workers (including laboratory workers involved in HIV or HBV research laboratories, as specified in the "Training" section, below) concerning the following:
      1. Applicable regulations and provisions of the Exposure Control Plan;
      2. Epidemiology and symptoms of bloodborne diseases;
      3. Measures to protect employees from contact with potentially-infectious materials;
      4. Information about and availability of effective vaccines; and
      5. Procedures to follow if exposure to potentially-infectious materials occurs or is suspected;
    6. Prepare an exposure determination which shall contain the following:
      1. A list of all job classifications in which all employees in those job classifications have occupational exposure;
      2. A list of job classifications in which some employees have occupational exposure; and
      3. A list of all tasks and procedures or groups of closely related tasks and procedures in which occupational exposure occurs and that are performed by employees in job classifications listed in accordance with the provisions of the OSHA standard.This exposure determination shall be made without regard to the use of personal protective equipment.
  2. The University Health Center (UHC) shall:
    1. Provide or direct all required or recommended medical examinations, treatment and counseling following an exposure incident;
    2. Provide vaccinations, as required;
    3. Maintain medical records relating to consultations, examinations and medical surveillance as required by law; and
    4. Provide training to UHC and Athletic Department employees, as required.
  3. The University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD) shall:
    1. Provide training to UMPD employees, as required.
  4. Campus Recreation Services (CRS) shall:
    1. Provide training to CRS employees, as required.
  5. The affected department heads shall:
    1. Ensure the provision of all necessary training, equipment and medical services required by the Exposure Control Plan;
    2. Ensure that the Exposure Control Plan is accessible to all employees in the worksite and that the employees comply with the requirements of the Plan;
    3. Provide specific work practice training; and
    4. Maintain copies of training records in departmental personnel files.
  6. UMCP employees with occupational exposure to human blood or other potentially-infectious materials shall:
    1. Adhere to the requirements of the Exposure Control Plan;
    2. Complete all safety training requirements and comply with documentation procedures; and
    3. Report all suspected exposure incidents.

D. Information

Assistance will be provided by the Department of Environmental Safety to any Department requesting guidance or training to satisfy implementation of this policy. A complete copy of the Exposure Control Plan can be obtained from the Department of Environmental Safety.