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Messages Forum>
Shots
Ron Shelton
Guest
Jan 30, 2010
9:11 AM
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Hi, I have a quick question for you. We have became an in house support for our son which is a special needs child. We have a girl coming into be his keeper, take him places and do things with him. He is still in diapers. The question I am asking is does she need to get a tb shot by law and does she need to get hepititus shot as well. The girl has been his baby sitter as well at times.
Thank You
Ron Shelton
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thomaskappil
28 posts
Jan 30, 2010
5:57 PM
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Dear Ron,
Thanks for your email.
From your email, I am given to understand that your babysitter will be taking care of your child, who is a special needs child. Under this scenario, you will become an employer and she your employee. According to federal OSH Act, she is governed by OSHA regulations at the workplace. In her case, according to Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), if there is an anticipated exposure to blood or Other Potentially Infected Materials (OPIM) at the workplace, you, as an employer, are supposed to ensure certain things are implemented under the Standard. One such thing is to provide free Hepatitis B Vaccination series to your employee. Besides, mandatory vaccinations, you are supposed to ensure that proper work practices exist, which involves good housekeeping such as removal of infected wastes, disinfect instruments, etc.; provide free Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) such as gloves, masks, goggles, etc. to prevent your employee coming into contact with blood, spatter or splash; and implement engineering controls such as using safety needles and instruments. Annualized training for your employee by a qualified trainer is also a must.
In the absence of an anticipated exposure to blood or OPIM, you do not need to comply with the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.
There are no federal TB standards. According to OSHA, “employers must develop a written TB exposure control program based on a risk assessment of TB among patients and healthcare workers in each facility.” The program will include a PPD skin testing program, education and training as part of the program. I am sure you will be able to do a risk assessment for TB and decide if you should implement an exposure control program.
I hope I have explained the rules under OSHA and how it affects you.
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