Implementing an exposure control plan
An exposure control plan provides guidance and answers related to bloodborne pathogens, ensuring appropriate controls are in place. If there is a risk of exposure to hazardous substances, OPIM or blood, then the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires you to develop an exposure control plan. This plan should be easily accessible to all employees.
OSHA requirements for the exposure control plan are as follows:
- The plan must be specific to individual facilities
- Reviews and updates should be carried out yearly, with new changes and new technologies considered
- Employees must have up to date knowledge of the plan
- The plan must be accessible to all employees and easy to find
Hepatitis B vaccine
Following formal bloodborne pathogens training, employees must offer employees the hepatitis B vaccination. This vaccine offer must be within ten days of acceptance of a job with occupational exposure risks. Should an employee refuse the vaccination, they must sign a statement in confirmation. Should boosters be needed, these should also be available at no cost to the employee.
As a way to protect against HBV, the hepatitis B vaccine is highly effective. HBV carriers or those immune to the virus will experience no harm from the vaccine. The HBV vaccine protects against infection and against complications such as liver damage, liver cancer, and death. It’s vital that you inform employees that the HBV vaccine also helps to protect those around them too.