Why Having a Control Plan is Imperative

Healthcare workers are continually at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens (BBP) and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Healthcare facilities are required to have a plan in place to not only prevent exposure but also to properly manage and react to an incident when accidental exposure occurs. OSHA has established mandates to protect staff from exposure and a set of guidelines to implement a control plan. Take a look:

What are the OSHA Standards for BBP Exposure?

Those who work in the healthcare industry must follow OSHA standards when it comes to BBP mandates. This includes emergency responders, healthcare workers and any staff that work in a capacity where they may be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials. Employers are required to ensure that they not only have a control plan in place, but that they have properly trained their teams.

Training Mandates

All staff must be trained on OSHA BBP standards when they begin working at a healthcare facility. Additionally, they must have annual training to ensure they are aware of any new or added mandates. Training should include explanation of the dangers of bloodborne pathogens, the procedures for preventing exposure, the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) and their part in ensuring OSHA standards are met.

Exposure Control Plan

Healthcare organizations must implement an exposure control plan that is specific to their facility. According to OSHA standards the plan must include the following key items:

• Clearly defined roles for staff
• Procedures for exposure control
• Procedures for actions to take in the event of exposure
• Universal precautions that include treating all human blood and OPIM as if they are potentially infectious
• Use of gloves, masks, eye protection and other PPE when staff handles potentially contaminated materials

Why a Control Plan is Crucial

All healthcare organizations must adhere to state and federal mandates when it comes to OSHA. An exposure control plan is a key element to compliance, because if your facility isn’t following proper safety protocols for BBP you can be subjected to violations and fines. Key reasons you must have a control plan:

• Mitigating risk
• Protecting the health and safety of your employees, patients and the community
• Building trust among your staff and patients- demonstrating your commitment to safety

All Points Medical Waste can help you follow OSHA BBP standards and keep your facility compliant while protecting your team. We are a family-owned and operated medical waste disposal company serving South Florida hospitals, physicians offices, dental and veterinary practices and more. Give us a call today or complete the form on this page to get a quick quote.