The basics of an exposure control plan.
Prevention and control of employee injury and exposure begins with an organizational commitment to provide a safe work environment for the employees. An Exposure Control Plan (ECP) helps to ensure this safe environment, and is developed by an organization and administered to provide for the elimination and minimization of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens, which is one of the greatest areas of risk for the health care provider. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard 29 CFR 1010.1030, "Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens," outlines the requirements necessary to meet compliance as an institution. However, occupational exposure requirements have changed over the last few years and now incorporate practice advances regarding safety devices (ie, needleless and protected) and their use and implementation. Directives addressing the management of the employee who has been exposed to blood-borne pathogens have also been added. This article focuses on important elements in developing an institutional exposure control plan.
Keith
Debbie
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Ambulatory Services/Infection Control/Employee Health, St. Joseph's Hospital, Augusta, GA, USA. debbiek@stjoshosp.org
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000359:Aftercare / Q000592:standards; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards; D006804:Ergonomics; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006282:Health Personnel; D006796:Household Work / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010934:Planning Techniques; D014481:United States; D014489:United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration; D014611:Vaccination / Q000592:standards