Policy Text
DEFINITIONS:
BIOHAZARD - A biological material that, if infective, poses a threat to human beings or
their environment.
BLOOD BORNE PATHOGEN - Microorganism present in human blood that can cause
disease in human beings.
BODILY FLUIDS - Body fluids mean blood and body fluids containing visible
blood and other body fluids to which universal precautions for prevention of
occupational transmission of blood-borne pathogens, as established by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, apply and to include but not limited
respiratory, salivary, and sinus fluids, including droplets, sputum, and saliva,
mucous, and other fluids through which infectious airborne organisms can be
transmitted between persons, blood, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal
fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, amniotic fluid,
laboratory specimens that contain HIV such as suspensions of concentrated
virus and any bodily fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood and all bodily
fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between
bodily fluids. This can also include any unfixed tissue or organ other than intact
skin from a living or dead human body - F.S. 112.181.
DECONTAMINATE - The use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate or
destroy blood borne pathogens on an item to the point that the blood borne pathogens
are no longer capable of transmitting disease and the surface or item is rendered safe
for handling, use or disposal.
EMERGENCY RESCUE OR PUBLIC SAFETY WORKER - means any person
employed full time by the state or any political subdivision of the state as a
firefighter, paramedic, emergency medical technician, law enforcement officer, or
correctional officer who, in the course of employment, runs a high risk of
occupational exposure to hepatitis, meningococcal meningitis, or tuberculosis
and who is not employed elsewhere in a similar capacity - F.S. 112.181.
HIGH RISK OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE - means that risk that is incurred
because a person subject to the provisions of this section, in performing the
basic duties associated with his or her employment provides emergency medical
treatment in a non-health-care setting where there is a potential for transfer of
body fluids between persons; at the site of an accident, fire, or other rescue or
public safety operation, or in an emergency rescue or public safety vehicle,
handles body fluids in or out of containers or works with or otherwise handles
needles or other sharp instruments exposed to body fluids; engages in the
pursuit, apprehension and arrest of law violators or suspected law violators and,
in performing such duties, may be exposed to body fluids; or is responsible for
the custody, and physical restraint when necessary, of prisoners or inmates
within a prison, jail, or other criminal detention facility, while on work detail
outside the facility, or while being transported and, in performing such duties,
may be exposed to body fluids - F.S. 112.181.
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE - in the case of hepatitis, meningococcal meningitis,
or tuberculosis, means an exposure that occurs during the performance of job
duties that may place a worker at risk of infection - F.S. 112.181.
SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE - Exposure to blood or body fluids through needle-
stick, instruments, or sharps; exposure of mucous membranes to visible blood or
body fluids to which universal precautions apply according to the National
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including, without limitations, the
following body fluids: blood, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid,
synovial fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, amniotic fluid,
laboratory specimens that contain HIV such as suspensions of concentrated
virus; or exposure of skin to visible blood or body fluids, especially when the
exposed skin is chapped, abraded, or afflicted with dermatitis or the contact is
prolonged or involving an extensive area - F.S. 384.287.
PROCEDURE: