| Department | Environmental, Health and Safety | Document no | EHS-040 | ||
| Title | Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure | ||||
| Prepared by: | Date: | Supersedes: | |||
| Checked by: | Date: | Date Issued: | |||
| Approved by: | Date: | Review Date: | |||
1. AFFECTED PARTIES
All Environment, Health and Safety personnel
2. PURPOSE
This SOP provides information and guidelines for the management of exposure to blood borne pathogens in the workplace. Under the relevant Occupational Health and Safety Laws and Regulations for each state, employers have a duty of care to protect their employees in the workplace.
3. SCOPE
3.1 This SOP covers:
3.1.1 The steps required following exposure to blood borne pathogens
3.1.2 The steps required following a needle stick injury
4. RESPONSIBILITY \ BUSINESS RULES
4.1 Responsibility of Managers, Team Leaders, all colleagues, employees, casual and contract staff.
4.1.1 First aiders and cleaners to ensure that they follow the principles of the “Blood and Body Fluid Spill Cleanup Procedures – SOP EHS-035”.
4.2 Universal Precautions to be followed
5. PROCEDURE
5.1 Immediately following an exposure to blood or body fluids, or a needle stick injury; wash area thoroughly with soap and water. Flush splashes to nose, mouth or skin with water. Irrigate eyes with clean water or saline.
5.2 Report exposure to Supervisor and Rehabilitation Coordinator or EHS Department.
5.3 If blood or body fluid has penetrated skin, such as a needle stick or open wound, the affected person should be sent immediately to medical centre for treatment. If the affected person has not had any skin penetration but wishes to seek medical treatment they should be sent to the medical centre. The person whose blood or body fluid has contaminated the affected person should be asked if they would allow their blood to be tested for any blood borne pathogens. If the exposure occurred during a routine blood test then the blood is already available, and a letter of consent should be given to the EHS Department. If not the person giving the blood sample should sign a letter of consent and be sent to a local pathologist to have the blood taken. This cannot be done without the consent of the person involved.
5.4 The workers compensation insurer must be notified immediately if the affected person is an employee
5.4 Local EHS Authority must be notified immediately if the affected person is a contractor, casual employee or visitor.
6. DEFINITIONS / ACRONYMS
6.1 Blood borne pathogen – 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).
6.2 Affected Person – The employee, contractor, visitor exposed to blood or body fluid
6.3 Exposure – Contact with blood or body fluids contaminated with blood.
6.4 Universal precautions – infection control methods to reduce risk of exposure – such as wearing gloves, masks, safety glasses, face shields and aprons 6.5 Needle stick Injury – Needle stick injuries are wounds caused by needles that puncture the skin.
7. SUMMARY OF CHANGES
| Version # | Revision History |
| EHS-040 | New |