Pioneer Commercial Cleaning has an established Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan, which is in accordance with OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.1030. These are posted at each location that we service.

The training program is performed on site or at the main office. The training consists of two distinctive programs; the first program is geared towards those who will be disposing of biohazard materials and performing biohazard clean up. The second program is geared towards employees who have to be made aware of the topic but are not expected to dispose of biohazard materials in any situation. Human Resource personnel teach both programs. Records of the training can be provided to a customer upon request.

Below you will find a brief description of each program.

Program #1 These employees will dispose of biohazard waste and perform biohazard clean up if needed.

a.          Employees are taught through a video program what bloodborne pathogens are and how to protect themselves from exposure while emptying biohazard trash or performing an actual biohazard cleanup. This video stresses proper procedure and proper housekeeping methods, the video is OSHA compliant.

b.       A biohazard clean-up kit is introduced to the employees, proper use of this kit in a clean up is explained. At this time our companies bloodborne pathogen exposure control plan is explained and read through by the employees, each receives a copy.

c.        Employees demonstrate the use of the kit through a mock-clean up.

d.        A small test is given asking questions based on compliance and procedure.

e.        Employees are offered the HBV vaccine as a protection from an exposure incident. Employee’s sign forms stating that they have received a written exposure control plan and have been offered the HBV vaccine.

f.         Employees who complete this program can then empty biohazard waste or perform biohazard cleanup.

Program #2          The employees in this program are made aware of bloodborne pathogens but are not expected to empty biohazard waste or perform a biohazard clean up. Avoidance of these situations is stressed in this program.

a.        Bloodborne pathogens are explained to the employees through a lecture.

b.        Our companies bloodborne pathogen exposure control plan is read through and explained.

c.        All employees are told to contact their supervisor if a biohazard cleanup is needed, or if they feel that they have had an exposure incident.

d.                Employees sign forms stating that they have received a written exposure control plan from our company.

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

In accordance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030, the following exposure control plan has been developed:

PURPOSE

The purpose of this exposure control plan is to:

            1.            Eliminate or minimize employee’s occupational exposure to blood

                        or certain other body fluids.

            2.            Comply with 29 CFR 1919.1030, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

STATEMENT OF SYSTEM PRACTICES:

1.            EXPOSURE DETERMINATION AND OCCUPATIONS AT RISK

Duties performed by the various occupations at Pioneer Commercial Cleaning were evaluated for potential occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious bodily fluids, including:  semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovical fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, and any other bodily fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood.  Occupational exposure means reasonably anticipated contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials through exposure to the eyes, mucous membranes or skin, including punctures, cuts and abrasions.  Although personal protective equipment is routinely used to reduce the risk for infections, jobs were evaluated considering the risks as if no protective equipment were used.

JOB CLASSIFICATION - CUSTODIAL WORKER/HOUSEKEEPING

2.            METHODS OF COMPLIANCE TO PREVENT EXPOSURE

Universal precautions will be observed throughout Pioneer Commercial Cleaning to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.  All blood or other potentially infectious material will be considered contaminated regardless of the perceived status of the source.

Eliminating exposure to body fluids is the best way to guard against infections.  Personal protective equipment, housekeeping procedures, safe workplace procedures, waste disposal procedures, and appropriate labels and signs will be used to keep body fluids from infecting the employee.

Employees will not dispose of regulated waste materials that are designated with a fluorescent orange or orange-red warning label and red containers.

(The exception is feminine disposal boxes)

In case of exposure to skin or mucous membranes, these areas shall be washed or flushed with water as soon as possible following contact.  Hands should be washed with soap and water following contact.

In removing trash, bags are not to be pushed or compressed by hand.  Hands are to be kept at the top of the bag and bag kept away from body.  Do not reach into a waste container to remove items by hand.

3.         WORK AREA RESTRICTIONS

In work areas where there is a reasonable likelihood of exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, employees are not to eat, drink, apply cosmetics or lip balm, smoke, or handle contact lenses.  Food and beverages are not to be kept in refrigerators, freezers, shelves, cabinets, or counter tops or bench tops where blood or other potentially infectious materials are present.

4.            CONTAMINATED EQUIPMENT

All equipment, which has become contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids, must be decontaminated prior to servicing, shipping or re-use.  A germicidal detergent solution will be used for this purpose.

5.            PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Personal protective equipment is appropriate if it does not allow bodily fluids to pass through or to reach the employee’s clothing, skin, eyes, mouth or other mucous membranes during normal use.  PPE will be provided without cost to employees in job classifications at risk to occupational exposure.  The PPE is provided according to the extent of anticipated exposure.

Disposable gloves must be worn and appropriate eye protection when performing housekeeping procedures.  These are to be kept in the supply closets located in the buildings.  Disposable gloves are not to be re-used.  They are to be discarded if torn, punctured or contaminated.

Rubber gloves and eye goggles are to be washed with a germicidal detergent solution or a 10% bleach solution.

6.            HOUSEKEEPING

Rest rooms, exam rooms, lab areas, etc. will be cleaned daily with a germicidal detergent.  All waste receptacles will have a plastic liner to minimize possible contamination.

In the event of an incident where blood or other bodily fluids are present, the affected area must be decontaminated as soon as possible.  Blood or body fluids will be contained with absorbent barriers.  A 10% bleach solution or a germicidal detergent will do decontamination.  All contaminated materials will be placed in proper receptacles.

In the case where there is no equipment or materials to clean up the spill and/or the employee is not aware of the proper procedure, the employee will limit access to the area and call their immediate supervisor to take care of the area.

Any broken glassware, metal scraps, or wire must be treated as contaminated because these materials may be infected with blood or other bodily fluids.  The items are to be cleaned up by mechanical means such as dustpan and broom.

7.            LABELS AND SIGNS

All labels and signs will be consistent with current Hazard Communication rules.  Sanitary napkin receptacles may in some areas be labeled as potential biohazards.  Proper procedures in collection and disposing of these are required.

8.         POST EXPOSURE PROCEDURE

The employee must notify supervision of an exposure incident immediately after the incident (no later than the end of the work shift) occurs.  An exposure incident is a specific eye, mouth, mucous membrane, puncture, cut or abrasion, or any other contact with bodily fluids that result from performance of the employee’s duties.  All exposure incidents must be reported, investigated and documented.

While every effort will be made to limit exposure to blood or body fluids and clean up of such spills are not required by all cleaning staff, an employee may inadvertently become exposed.  In such an event, the employee will be offered a HBV vaccination, as well as follow up exposure treatment.

Any exposed employee needs to contact the Human Resources Department to fill out a report that will be kept in their confidential file.

9.            EMPLOYEE TRAINING

Selected employees and management will receive annual training in the clean up of blood and body fluid spills in accordance with this control plan.  All other employees will be given training according to job requirements.  January and February

10.            RECORDING AND DOCUMENTATION

All record keeping and documentation pertaining to this Exposure Control Plan will be maintained in the Human Resources Department.

11.            COMPLIANCE ASSURANCE

The Human Resources Administrator is responsible for the compliance of this control plan.

Disciplinary action will be taken where employees fail to comply with these procedures.