Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborned pathogens

SIUC provides occupational exposure training to all employees with occupational exposures at no cost to the employee and during working hours. Training will be coordinated and provided as requested through the CEHS by Ms. J. Kniesly, Assistant Director. All University groups which require training should contact Ms. Kniesly at 453-7188.

Time Frame
1. Training is provided as follows:
  1. Promptly following adoption of this Occupational Exposure Control Plan;
  2. At the time of initial assignment to tasks where occupational exposure may take place;
  3. Annual training for all employees shall be provided within one year of their previous training.
2. SIUC will provide additional training when changes such as modification of tasks or procedures or institution of new tasks or procedures affect the employee's occupational exposure. The additional training may be limited to addressing the new exposures created.
Training Contact
1. Material appropriate in content and vocabulary to educational level, literacy, and language of employees is used. The training program shall contain at a minimum the following elements:
  1. An accessible copy of the regulatory text of the OSHA/IDOL standard (See APPENDIX 2 page 48-- "OSHA IDOL Occupational Exposure Regulations") and an explanation of its contents;
  2. A general explanation of the epidemiology and symptoms of bloodborne diseases;
  3. An explanation of the modes of transmission of bloodborne pathogens;
  4. An explanation of the SIUC Occupational Exposure Control Plan and the means by which the employee can obtain a copy of the written plan;
  5. An explanation of the appropriate methods for recognizing tasks and other activities that may involve exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials;
  6. An explanation of the use and limitations of methods that will prevent or reduce exposure including appropriate engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment;
  7. Information on the types, proper use, location, removal, handling, decontamination, and disposal of personal protective equipment;
  8. An explanation of the basis for selection of personal protective equipment;
  9. Information on the hepatitis B vaccine including information on its efficacy, safety, method of administration, the benefits of being vaccinated, and that the vaccine and vaccination will be offered free of charge;
  10. Information on the appropriate actions to take and persons to contact in an emergency involving blood or other potentially infectious materials;
  11. An explanation of the procedure to follow if an exposure incident occurs, including the method of reporting the incident and the medical follow-up that will be made available;
  12. Information on the post-exposure evaluation and follow-up that SIUC is required to provide for the employee following an exposure incident;
  13. An explanation of required signs and labels and/or color coding;
  14. An opportunity for interactive questions and answers with the person conducting the training session.
Training Personnel
1. All persons conducting the training shall be knowledgeable in the subject matter covered by the elements contained in the training program as it relates to the workplace that the training will address.
Documentation of Attendance
1. Each person attending the training shall be required to sign in, giving full name and job classification on Training Record (See Attachment 6 "Training Record" to be maintained at the CEHS).
Additional Initial Training for Employees in HIV and HBV Laboratories and Production Facilities
1. Employees in HIV or HBV research laboratories and HIV and HBV production facilities shall receive the following initial training in addition to the above training requirements.
  1. SIUC shall assure that employees demonstrate proficiency in standard microbiological practices and techniques and in the practices and operations specific to the facility before being allowed to work with HIV or HBV.
  2. SIUC shall assure that employees have prior experience in the handling of human pathogens or tissue cultures before working with HIV or HBV.
  3. SIUC shall provide a training program to employees who have no prior experience in handling human pathogens. Initial work activities shall not include the handling of infectious agents. A progression of work activities shall be assigned as techniques are learned and proficiency is developed. SIUC shall assure that employees participate in work activities involving infectious agents only after proficiency has been demonstrated.

NOTE: NO RESEARCH involving infectious organisms, human blood, human tissue samples, or non-human primates can be performed at SIUC without prior written approval of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)