Avery County Schools Policy Policy Code: 7260

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

The Avery County Board of Education is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all employees; however, it is the responsibility of each employee to follow proper policies and procedures to ensure that these goals are achieved. The purpose of this policy is to limit occupational exposure of employees to blood and other potentially infectious body fluids that may transmit bloodborne pathogens.

I. Employees Affected

All employees who, as a result of performing required job duties, could be "reasonably anticipated" to face contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials are covered by the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard and this policy. "Occupational exposure" includes any reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parental (brought in the body through some way other than the digestive tract) contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee's duties. According to the North Carolina Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (printed 5/92), "Good Samaritan" acts such as assisting a co-worker or student with a nose bleed would not be considered "reasonably anticipated occupational exposure". Universal precautions shall be in force at all times as follows: in dealing with the cleaning or decontamination of any blood or body fluid. All blood, body fluid, and potentially infectious material shall be handled as if infected. The Board of Education shall adhere to the program standards for the control of potential exposure to HIV and HBV as outlined in the proposed OSHA Rule "Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens" standard 1910.1030 (or most current standards available) as well as relevant sections of the North Carolina General Statutes and North Carolina Administrative Code.

II. Responsibilities The Board shall ensure that:

  1. All elements of the Exposure Control Plan, as defined by state and federal law and OSHA guidelines, are met. This plan should include: methods of compliance (Universal Precautions, engineering and work practice controls, personal protective equipment, cleaning and disposal); HBV vaccinations; hazard communication; record keeping; training; an identification of all job classifications and tasks that involve occupational exposure; and a schedule to meet the activities outlines in the exposure control plan.

  2. The Plan is reviewed and updated annually.3. All employees have access to a copy of this "Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure" policy and plan, one being placed at the central office and one in each school.

Avery County Schools Policy Page 1 of 4 III. Testing and Examination

An employee who suspects that he/she has a blood or body fluid exposure may request to be tested at the employer's expense, provided that the suspected exposure poses a significant risk of transmission as defined in the rules of the Health Service Commission. The source individual's tests results will be made available to the exposed employee with or without the source individual's permission, as long as significant risk exposure has occurred (Communicable Disease Control Measure, 15A NCAC 19A.0202(4) and NCAC 19A.0203(b) (3) adopted by the North Carolina Health Services Commission.) The Board shall strictly adhere to existing confidentiality rules and laws regarding employees with communicable diseases, including HIV or HIV-associated conditions.

IV. Anti-Discrimination

The agency shall not discriminate against any applicant or employee who has or is suspected of having HIV infection, AIDS, or other communicable diseases. An employee with HIV infection, AIDS, or other communicable diseases may continue to work as long as the employee is able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job and there is no medical evidence indicating that the employee's condition is a "health threat" to co-workers, students, or the public.

Avery County Schools Policy Page 2 of 4 Legal Reference:

Avery County Schools Policy Page 3 of 4 Federal Register-Sub-part Z of 29CFR 1910.1030, N.C. General Statute 130A-144 and N.C. Administrative Code Section .0200, "Control Measures for HIV"; and Section .0203, "Control Measures for Hepatitis B".

ADOPTED: 9-7-93 Procedure Added – 2/7/17

Avery County Schools Policy Page 4 of 4