Program Summary
James Madison University is committed to providing a safe and healthful work environment for all employees. In pursuit of this goal, the following bloodborne pathogens program and exposure control plan is provided to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in accordance with the OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.1030, Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens and James Madison University policy 3109, Bloodborne Pathogens.
The bloodborne pathogens program is designed to provide service to employees who may be at risk of occupational exposure to human blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) in the workplace, which could contain pathogens such as Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and others. Additionally, it covers the university’s training, vaccination, and incident reporting programs.
Applies To
The Bloodborne Pathogens Program applies to employees with at-risk job duties that may include, but are not limited to,
- Patient care and/or working in a clinical setting
- Cleaning blood or OPIM
- Cleaning areas where blood or OPIM may be present
- Designated first aid or medical assistance duties
- Contact with victims or perpetrators
- Response to blood spills or similar incidents
- Work involving sanitary sewer systems
- Collection, handling, and disposal of potentially infectious materials
- Phlebotomy
- Diagnostic or screening procedures involving blood or OPIM
- Research involving unfixed human tissue, blood, or other human fluids and cells
If it can be reasonably anticipated, as a result of performing job duties, to have contact with human blood or OPIM, the employee is considered at-risk. All at-risk employees are responsible for complying with all policies and procedures set forth in the university and department specific exposure control plans.
Requirements
Each department that has employees who are at risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens must comply with the requirements of this program. Departments are required to create a department-specific exposure control plan, using the provided template, with policies and procedures tailored to their needs. This exposure control plan outlines engineering and administrative controls, as well as personal protective equipment that, when properly utilized, help minimize exposure to human blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) in the workplace.
Department-specific exposure control plans must be submitted to Risk Management annually between July 1 and September 1.
