Principles of Compliance
Cumberland University will provide the procedures, training, equipment, and environment employees and students need to work safely. Cumberland University also observes the use of Universal Precautions to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.
Under circumstances in which differentiation between body fluid types is difficult or impossible, all body fluids shall be considered potentially infectious material. Specifically, these body fluids are defined as including, but not limited to: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids.
Training
When appropriate, employee and student training will include but not be limited to:
- An explanation of the University’s Exposure Control Plan for Universal Precautions and Bloodborne Pathogens.
- An explanation of the modes of transmission, epidemiology, and symptoms of blood borne pathogens.
- The personal protective equipment policy on Universal Precautions and hand washing.
- An explanation of the recommendations for prevention of HIV/Hepatitis transmission.
- An explanation of the Hazard Communication Program.
- An explanation of reporting and record keeping procedures for exposure incidents and post exposure follow-up.
- The exposure determination/classification for tasks that may involve exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials.
The Exposure Control Plan for Cumberland University is designed to provide employees and students with a recognition of task and procedure that present a potential occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens and a means of eliminating or minimizing exposure in the performance of their duties.
Policy
The following table is a guide to bloodborne pathogen exposure delineated by job classification in respect to potential bloodborne pathogen exposure and work-related tasks.
I - Job classifications in which employees have routine occupational exposure.
II - Job classifications in which employees have occasional exposure.
Work Related Tasks
|
Category
|
Work Related Tasks
|
Personal Protective Equipment Available
|
Should be Worn
|
|
I
|
Tasks that involve exposure to blood or body fluids and that require protective equipment. Adherence to Universal Precautions is Mandatory.
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
II
|
Tasks that do not involve exposure to blood or body fluids but may require performance of Category I tasks unexpectedly or on short notice. Protective equipment must be available if person shifts to Category I.
|
YES
|
NO
|
NOTE: Any exposure incident needs to be reported to department supervisor immediately. If this incident should occur when the supervisor is not available, administration is to be notified.
Exposure Records
The University maintains records on all exposure incidents, and post-exposure follow up. These records are kept confidential and are housed within the Cumberland University Human Resources Office.