Blood-borne pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms such as the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and the Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV) that are present in human blood and may cause disease in humans. Exposure
to blood-borne pathogens may occur by skin, eyes, mucous membrane, or potential contact
(direct or indirect) with blood or body fluids.
First aid/spill clean-up procedures involving blood/body fluids can potentially put
responders at risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Campus Services should be contacted for spill clean-up by calling 2260 from a campus phone or (360) 442-2260 from any other phone. The following precautions will greatly reduce the risk of exposure during first aid
or spill clean-up procedures:
- Treat all blood and body fluids as if they are infectious.
- Use airway barrier protection to prevent contact with blood and body fluid. Use vinyl
gloves or nitrile gloves instead of latex gloves, as many people are allergic to latex
materials.
- Use rigid, puncture proof, non-porous containers, referred to as “sharps” containers,
for used needles, contaminated sharp medical instruments, and contaminated broken
glass.
- Wash hands after first aid or blood/body fluid clean-up procedures.
- Label contaminated sharps/medical waste containers with the word “Biohazard” and/or
the color red. Label should include the following information: Generator's name (who
collected the waste), contents and the location the waste was collected from (building
and room number). Labels are available on request from Campus Security by calling
2271 from a campus phone or (360) 442-2271 from any other phone.
- Medical waste contaminated with blood and body fluids should be bagged separately
in a red “Biohazard” bag and NOT placed in the regular trash. Call Security at 2911
from a campus phone or (360) 442-2911 from any phone to pick up the properly contained “Biohazard” waste.
- If exposed to a blood borne pathogen, Submit an Accident Report.This form is also available on the Human Resources page in the Faculty-Staff website.
Be sure to visit your health care provider within 24 hours.
Lower Columbia College's Blood-Borne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan available at
lowercolumbia.edu/safety/employee/_assets/documents/bloodborne-pathogens.pdf
