Welcome to the SafeLane information page for the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan. This page provides essential guidance for all employees, including faculty, staff, and student workers, to minimize or eliminate occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens such as HBV, HCV, and HIV.
Core Principle: Safety First
To protect our campus community, Lane Community College (LCC) utilizes a tiered approach to safety, including engineering controls, work practice controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Important Standard: Where safety requirements overlap between different departmental plans, the more protective standard shall always apply to ensure the highest level of employee and student safety.
Standard Precautions & Requirements
- Treat All Fluids as Infectious: Under "Standard Precautions," treat all human blood and certain body fluids as if they are known to be infectious.
- Hepatitis B (HBV) Vaccination: LCC offers the 3-dose HBV vaccine series at no cost to all employees with identified occupational exposure.
- Annual Training: OSHA requires that Bloodborne Pathogen training be completed upon initial assignment and every year thereafter.
This section of the SafeLane intranet page has been updated to include the specific protocols for clinical staff and the critical "2-Hour Window" for medical intervention.
What to Do in the Event of an Exposure
If you experience a needlestick, a sharps injury, or a splash to mucous membranes, stop work immediately and follow these steps:
1. 🚨 Immediate First Aid
- Skin/Wounds: Wash thoroughly with soap and water.
- Eyes, Nose, or Mouth: Flush with water or saline for at least 15 minutes.
2. The 2-Hour Medical Window (Critical for HPHPEA)
For staff in Health Professions, Dental, and Athletics, time is of the essence.
- Action: You must seek a medical evaluation within 2 hours of exposure.
- Why: This window is critical for a healthcare provider to determine if Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is required to prevent HIV or HBV infection.
3. Where to Seek Medical Care
Medical evaluations are confidential and provided at no cost to the employee:
- Primary Location: Cascade Health Solutions (Occupational Clinic).
- After Hours / Distant Clinical Sites: Proceed to the nearest Urgent Care or Emergency Department.
- What the Evaluation Includes: Confidential blood testing for both you and the "source individual" (patient or athlete) for HBV, HCV, and HIV, as well as professional counseling.
4. Required Reporting (Within 24 Hours)
You must notify your supervisor immediately to ensure proper documentation:
| If the person is... | Action Required |
|---|---|
| An Employee | Complete the Employee Accident/Incident Analysis Form |
| An Employee (Seeking Care) | Complete Form 801 (Worker's Report of Job Injury/Illness) |
| A Student or Visitor | Complete the Non-Employee Incident Report |
Special Note for HPHPEA (Double-Reporting):
- On-Campus: Notify your supervisor and complete the LCC injury report.
- At a Clinical Site: You must follow both the LCC protocol and the host facility’s specific protocol, including completing their internal accident/incident report.
5. Supervisor Responsibilities
- Investigation: Supervisors must conduct a root-cause analysis within one business day using the Employee Accident/Incident Analysis Form.
- Critical Incidents: For hospitalizations, amputations, or loss of an eye, call Risk Management immediately at (541) 463-5503. LCC is legally required to report these to OR-OSHA within strict timeframes.
6. Prevention: The "Near-Miss"
See something? Say something! If you identify a hazard or experience a "close call" where no one was injured, report it immediately. Identifying hazards before an injury occurs is the most effective way to keep our campus safe.
Reminder: Under LCC policy, where requirements overlap, the more protective standard shall apply. Always follow the most restrictive safety protocol available for your specific work environment.
Related Policies, Procedures, and References
LCC Internal Policies and Procedures
Federal and State Regulations
Tiered Exposure Control Plans
While the core Exposure Control Plan applies to all employees with "Occupational Exposure," certain high-hazard areas require more restrictive protocols due to the nature of their work.
1. General Campus (Facilities & Planning)
This plan focuses on risks "reasonably anticipated" during standard campus maintenance, such as restroom sanitation, trash removal, and campus repairs.
- Key Risks: Hidden needles in trash or outdoor areas, and splashes during cleanup.
- Standard Disinfectants: Formula 64 for routine cleaning; Formula 66 (tuberculocidal) for decontamination of blood/OPIM.
2. High-Hazard Areas (Health Professions, Dental, & Athletics)
Departments such as Health Professions (HPHPEA) and Dental operate under more restrictive and specialized plans due to direct patient care and clinical laboratory work.
- Specialized Risks: Injections, blood draws, handling dental sharps, and treating high-velocity impact injuries on the athletic field.
- Restrictive Protocols:
- Mandatory Decontamination: High-touch areas must be decontaminated between every patient or student use.
- Advanced Engineering Controls: Use of self-sheathing needles, needleless IV systems, and dental high-volume evacuators.
- Professional Requirements: Clinical sites often require proof of HBV immunity as a mandatory condition for placement.
Training & Exposure Determination
Training is not "one size fits all." Your training requirements and frequency are determined by your job classification and the likelihood of coming into contact with blood or Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM).
1. Are You at Risk? (Exposure Categories)
The College maintains a master Exposure Determination list. Positions are generally categorized as follows:
- Category I (High Risk): Frequent/routine exposure (e.g., Public Safety/First Responders, Health Clinic, Health Professions, Dental, and Child & Family Center).
- Category II (Moderate Risk): Task-based exposure (e.g., Custodial, Facilities/Maintenance, Science Lab Coordinators, Athletics/Coaches, and Performing Arts Scene Shop).
- Category III (Minimal/No Risk): All other departments where exposure is not "reasonably anticipated."
2. Mandatory Training Requirements
- Initial Training: Must be completed upon initial hire or assignment to a task where occupational exposure may occur.
- Annual Refreshers: OSHA requires that all Category I and II employees complete refresher training every year.
- Site-Specific Training: If you work in Health Professions (HPHPEA) or Dental for example, you must complete specialized training that covers the more restrictive protocols of clinical environments.
Hepatitis B (HBV) Vaccination Offer
In accordance with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030, Lane Community College offers the Hepatitis B vaccine series to all employees identified as having occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).
1. Key Benefits
- No Cost: The 3-dose vaccine series is provided at no charge to the employee.
- Protection: The vaccine is a critical defense against HBV, a serious disease that can be acquired through occupational exposure.
2. Your Options
Upon being identified for occupational exposure, you must complete the Hepatitis B Vaccination Record & Declination Form and select one of the following options:
- Option A: Accept the Vaccination: You wish to receive the series provided by the college.
- Option B: Already Vaccinated: You have already completed the full series. (Note: Providing exact dates is helpful, but if dates are unknown, you are not required to repeat the series).
- Option C: Medical Contraindication: The vaccine is medically contraindicated for you at this time.
- Option D: Decline the Vaccination: You choose not to receive the vaccine at this time.
3. Declining and Re-evaluating
If you choose to decline the vaccine (Option D), you must sign the Mandatory Declination Statement included in the form. This statement acknowledges that you understand the risks of acquiring HBV and that you are declining the vaccine despite the risk.
Important: If you decline the vaccine now but later decide you want to be vaccinated—provided you still have occupational exposure—you can receive the vaccination series at no charge at that time.
4. Post-Exposure Vaccination
If you have not previously completed the HBV series and you experience an exposure incident, you may request to start the vaccination series immediately as part of your post-exposure follow-up.
Form Access: The Hepatitis B Vaccination Record & Declination Form is available through Human Resources. Completed forms must be returned to HR to ensure your safety records are up to date.