thomaskappil
24 posts
Nov 18, 2009
4:33 PM
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Hello, As you may know, when there is occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), the employer is required to provide, at no cost to the employee, appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, or other PPE deemed necessary. Occupational exposure is defined by the BBP standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030(b) as ". . . reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee's duties." As a general rule, hygienists are considered to have occupational exposure.
Use of protective body clothing, such as gowns, aprons, laboratory coats, clinic jackets, surgical caps, or shoe covers, and the degree to which such PPE must resist penetration, are performance based. The employer must evaluate the task and the type of exposure expected and, based on the determination, select the "appropriate" personal protective clothing in accordance with section (d)(3)(i) of the standard. For example, laboratory coats or gowns with long sleeves shall be used for procedures in which exposure of the forearm to blood or OPIM is reasonably anticipated to occur.
Therefore, protection is mandated by the BBP standard if contact with blood is reasonably anticipated when performing prophies.
Last Edited on 18-Nov-2009 4:34 PM
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