1. PHILOSOPHY AND PURPOSE
   The Weber School District is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all District employees and students.  In pursuit of this goal, the District will comply with all occupational health and safety standards as outlined in Title 29 CFR Part 1910.1030 including training its employees, and when appropriate, directing students to identify risks of exposure; implementing practices of exposure control including following Universal Precautions; responding to and reporting exposure incidents; and keeping detailed records of cases of exposure. 
   
   
2. POLICY
   The purpose of this policy is to eliminate or minimize the risk to the District community from occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens or other potentially infectious materials.
   
   
3. DEFINITIONS
   1. “Bloodborne Pathogens” means pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans.  These pathogens include but are not limited to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C and D, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and cytomegalovirus.
   2. “Engineering controls” means controls (e.g., sharps disposal containers, self-sheathing needles, safer medical devices, such as sharps with engineered sharps injury protections and needleless systems) that isolate or remove the bloodborne pathogens hazard from the workplace.
   3. “Exposure Incident” means a specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of an employee's duties.
   4. “Personal Protective Equipment” is specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against a hazard. General work clothes (e.g., uniforms, pants, shirts or blouses) not intended to function as protection against a hazard are not considered to be personal protective equipment.
   5. “Work Practice Controls” means controls that reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the manner in which a task is performed (e.g., prohibiting recapping of needles by a two-handed technique).
      “Universal Precautions” refers to a concept of bloodborne disease control which requires that all human blood and certain human body fluids be treated as if known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, or other bloodborne pathogens.
      
      
4. EXPOSURE PLAN
   1. Exposure risk will be made by means of job classification.
   2. Methods of exposure mitigation include:
      1. Engineering and work practice controls
      2. Personal protective equipment
      3. General housekeeping
      4. Medical evaluation and prophylaxis
      5. Training and record keeping
      6. Universal precautions
         
         
5. RESPONSIBILITIES
   1. The primary responsibility for accomplishment of this policy will always rest with the first-level supervisor, e.g., principal, administrator, foreman, etc.  Specifically, the responsibilities are:
      1. Planning and evaluation of the exposure plan effectiveness will be a joint effort of the personnel office, the building and grounds department, the special education department, and the building administrators.
      2. Engineering and work practice controls and exposure determination assessment will be outlined by the District nurses and the personnel office.
      3. Personal protective equipment provision and training will be the responsibility of the immediate supervisor.
      4. General housekeeping is the responsibility of the building supervisor and the custodial staff.
      5. Medical evaluation and prophylaxis will be the responsibility of the District nursing staff.
      6. All District employees will receive annual training on Bloodborne Pathogens. 
      7. Reporting:
         1. Persons involved in, or having knowledge of a suspected exposure incident must report the incident to their building administrator or immediate supervisor.
         2. The building administrator or supervisor must determine if an actual exposure incident has occurred.  If it is an actual exposure or in case of doubt the incident will be reported, in writing, to the District nurses for evaluation and/or action.
            
            
6. GUIDELINES FOR HANDLING OF BODILY FLUIDS
   1. The following guidelines are meant to provide simple and effective precautions against transmission of disease for all persons, potentially exposed to the blood or body fluids of any students.  No distinction is made between body fluids from students with a known disease or those from students without symptoms or with an undiagnosed disease.
      1. The use of Universal Precautions (protective barriers) to reduce the risk of exposure to one's skin or mucous membranes to potentially infectious materials (blood, bloody fluids containing visible blood, and other fluids) is very important. Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure and includes gloves, fluid resistant gowns, face shields, goggles, masks, and CPR barriers. Selection of PPE depends on the potential risk of exposure to blood or body fluids. 
      2. Gloves must be worn where it can be reasonably anticipated that the employee will have contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), mucous membranes, and non-intact skin.
         1. Disposable gloves are available in each school nurse's health room.  Employees shall keep a pair in their work area.  Gloves shall be replaced as soon as practical when contaminated, or their ability to function as a barrier is compromised (torn, punctured, etc.).
         2. Gloves shall be removed when they become contaminated or damaged, or immediately after finishing the task.  Employees must follow a safe procedure for glove removal, being careful that no pathogens from the soiled gloves make contact with skin.
            1. With both hands gloved, peel one glove off from top to bottom and hold it in the gloved hand.
            2. With the exposed hand, peel the second glove from the inside, tucking the first glove inside the second.
            3. Dispose of the entire bundle promptly.
            4. Never touch the outside of the glove with bare skin.
            5. Every time you remove your gloves, wash your hands with soap and running water as soon as you possibly can.
         3. Utility gloves worn by housekeeping staff may be cleaned and disinfected for reuse if they show no signs of deterioration.  They must be discarded if they are cracked, peeling, torn, punctured, or exhibit other signs of deterioration, or when their ability to function as a barrier is compromised.

Revised: 03/05/2025
Approved by the Board 09/1993