Blood Borne Pathogens - 7 Important Duties Of Employers

Blood borne pathogens like hepatitis B and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency virus) can cause infection and death. Exposure to blood borne pathogens in the workplace poses serious threat to the safety of the employees. All employees should therefore receive sufficient training to identify the situations that may lead them to the risk of exposure to infection and to protect themselves using preventative measures. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide information and training to the employees related to blood borne pathogens and to promote awareness, in order to prevent the transmission of viruses.

Important Duties of Employers

1. Determine the job classifications that require employees to get exposed

The employer should determine the jobs where all employees have an occupational exposure and job classifications where some employees are exposed to pathogens based on the allocation of certain tasks.

2. Compliance Methods

The employer should take universal precautions to control the risk of infection. According to the Universal precautions, all blood and body fluids should be considered as infectious. The employer should instruct the employees who are at risk of exposure to viruses to perform all procedures that involve blood and body fluids in a manner to reduce splashing and splattering. He/she should give proper protective equipment like gloves, gowns, goggles, face masks and other equipment to prevent skin and mucous membrane exposure to infection. The employer should take steps to clean and launder the gowns and gloves at no cost to the employee. He/she should also make arrangements to repair or replace the equipment, whenever needed.

3. Post Exposure Evaluation And Follow Up

Blood borne transmission occurs in workplace, when the employees come into contact with the infected person's blood through cuts, open sore, broken or damaged skin. If any of the employees have exposed to blood or bodily fluid, the employer should take steps to arrange for medical evaluation to confirm whether they are infected or not. If they are infected with virus, medications should be provided. Follow ups are essential to confirm whether the employee has developed protective antibodies.

4. Vaccinations

If the work place is subject to hepatitis B virus, the employer should offer hepatitis B vaccination to employees at no cost.

5. Communication Of Hazards

The employer should take steps to use labels and color coding for items like needles and sharps for disposal, containers for regulated waste, contaminated laundry and other items. Employee training should be provided to make them understand about the color coding and hazards

6. Record Keeping

The employers need to maintain records of occupational injuries and illnesses. They should report work related deaths or hospitalization of more than three employees in one incident to the nearest OSHA (Occupational Safety And Health Administration) office.

7. Reviewing And Updating Regularly

The employer should review the rules and standards of OSHA every year and make sufficient changes in his policies and practices to ensure that his employees are well protected against the risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens.

The employer should take some engineering and work practice controls in situations, where exposure to harmful blood borne pathogens may occur.

The HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act) requires covered entities, employers and heath care providers to follow the privacy rule strictly. The employer also needs to provide a self insured health plan for employees. He/she should act as an intermediary between the health care provider and his employees.