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HomeMy WebLinkAbout028.Bloodborne Pathogens Policy.Updated.26.09.08 1. Purpose: The purpose of the City’s Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Policy is to reduce the risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other potentially infectious materials, in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations. 2. Definitions: 2.1 Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP): Pathogenic microorganisms present in human blood that can cause disease in humans, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 2.2 Occupational Exposure: Actual, or potential, parenteral, skin, eye, or mucous membrane contact with blood; or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee’s duties. 2.3 Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM): Certain human body fluids and other materials that may contain bloodborne pathogens, as defined by applicable MIOSHA standards. 2.4 Universal Precautions: An approach to infection control in which all human blood and OPIM are treated as if known to be infectious for bloodborne pathogens. 3. Responsibilities: Under this policy, departments with potential for occupational exposure are required to develop a written exposure control plan to minimize or eliminate such exposure. This plan shall contain the following: ● General management and responsibilities ● Exposure determination ● Methods of compliance ● Communication of hazards ● Post-exposure evaluation/vaccination program ● Annual training and review ● Recordkeeping 4. Procedures: The following procedures apply to City departments and employees with actual or potential occupational exposure to blood or OPIM. Section Name: Employee Relations Effective Date: September 8, 2026 Section Number: 400 Policy Number: 028 4.1 Exposure Control Plan: Each affected department shall maintain a written Exposure Control Plan identifying job classifications and tasks with occupational exposure to blood or Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM). The plan shall describe required exposure-control measures and procedures for evaluating exposure incidents. It shall be accessible to employees, reviewed annually, and updated when changes in operations affect occupational exposure. 4.2 Methods of Compliance: Departments and employees shall use appropriate engineering controls, work practice controls, PPE, and housekeeping measures to minimize occupational exposure to blood or OPIM. (a) Engineering Controls: Devices or equipment designed to isolate or remove hazards, including appropriate sharps containers and other exposure-control equipment. (b) Work Practice Controls: Employees shall follow safe work practices, including proper handwashing; prohibitions on eating, drinking, applying cosmetics, or handling contact lenses in exposure areas; and safe handling of contaminated sharps and equipment. (c) Personal Protective Equipment: Appropriate PPE shall be provided at no cost to employees and used whenever occupational exposure is reasonably anticipated. (d) Housekeeping and Labeling: Departments shall maintain procedures for cleaning and decontamination, regulated waste management, management of contaminated laundry, sharps disposal, and required biohazard labeling. 4.3 Hepatitis B Vaccination: The City shall make Hepatitis B vaccination available at no cost to employees with occupational exposure, in accordance with MIOSHA requirements. Employees who decline vaccination shall complete the required declination form and may elect to receive the vaccination later while they remain eligible. 4.4 Post Exposure Evaluation and Follow-up: If an employee experiences a BBP exposure, they must notify their supervisor and complete the designated report form. The City of Monroe will arrange for necessary medical evaluation and treatment through a medical contractor. This evaluation will include: ● Confidential documentation of the exposure circumstances. ● Identification and testing of the source individual, if possible. ● Blood testing of the exposed employee, with their consent. ● Post-exposure prophylaxis or counseling. The department will provide the medical contractor with relevant information, including: ● A copy of the applicable MIOSHA standard. ● Description of the employee's duties related to the incident. ● Details about the exposure circumstances. ● Source individual's blood test results, if available. ● Vaccination status and any other relevant medical records. The medical contractor will provide the employee with a written opinion within 15 working days after completion of the evaluation, as required by MIOSHA. Medical information shall be maintained confidentially and disclosed only as permitted or required by law. 4.5 Housekeeping and Biohazard Waste: Departments shall establish procedures for the safe handling, decontamination, storage, and disposal of contaminated equipment, sharps, laundry, and regulated waste. Procedures shall comply with applicable MIOSHA requirements and include appropriate containers, labeling, cleaning schedules, and decontamination methods. 5. Information and Training: Each affected department will provide training for employees with occupational exposure to blood or OPIM.Training shall be provided annually and whenever changes affect occupational exposure. Training sessions will include: ● An overview of applicable regulations. ● Information about bloodborne diseases and their transmission. ● The department’s exposure control plan. ● Engineering and work practice controls. ● Use of personal protective equipment and hygiene practices. ● Availability of Hepatitis B vaccination and follow-up programs. ● Emergency response procedures for bloodborne pathogen incidents. 6. Recordkeeping: The Human Resources Department will maintain the confidential employee medical records for the duration of their employment plus thirty years. These medical records will be made available to the employee and MIOSHA or other authorized governmental agencies, as required by law. Written and signed employee releases, or court orders, are required for all other access. These records will include information as prescribed under federal and state laws. Departments will maintain training records for at least three years. The training records will contain: ● Dates of training ● Contents of the training program ● Trainer ’s name and qualifications ● Names and job titles of attendees. 7. Legislative History of Authority for Creation or Revision Adopted pursuant to action of the Monroe City Council, dated September 7, 1999. Revisions adopted pursuant to action of the Monroe City Council, dated September 8, 2026.