Bloodborne Pathogens

All employees who may have a potential occupational exposure to human blood, body fluids, unfixed tissue, human cells or cell lines, HIV, Hepatitis B, or other potentially infectious material are required to comply with the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Standard. Components of the Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Standard as well as UMBC specific components are as follows:

  1. Initial and annual Bloodborne Pathogen Training must be completed. New employees must initially complete training that will discuss BBP in addition to other laboratory safety topics. Initial training is incorporated into the Laboratory Biosafety training and Annual BBP Refresher training. Visit the Training Webpage for more information on accessing BBP training.
  2. Receive a Hepatitis B vaccination from Retriever Integrated Health (410-455-2542) or submit a Hepatitis B Vaccination Declination Form to ESH prior to starting work.
  3. If teaching or conducting research, consult with the Office of Research Protections and Compliance to determine if IBC approval is required.
  4. Establish or adopt a laboratory specific Exposure Control Plan (ECP) and make it available to employees. A copy of UMBC’s current exposure control plan can be found linked below.

Needlestick, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure

If you have been exposed to a bloodborne pathogen through a needlestick, contaminated sharps, mucus membrane/non-intact skin, or other means, perform the following actions as soon as possible:

  1. Wash the exposed site with soap and water thoroughly.
  2. Contact Retriever Integrated Health:
    • Business Hours – 410-455-2542
    • After-Hours – 410-455-3230

If appropriate, the individual may be referred to a local health care provider if the call is made during regular business hours or to a local emergency department if the call is made after business hours.

Closest emergency room by campus:

UMBC Main Campus 

Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital

900 S Caton Ave, Baltimore, MD 21229

(667) 234-6000

Universities at Shady Grove 

Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center

9901 Medical Center Dr, Rockville, MD 20850

(240) 826-6000

Rita Rossi Colwell Center 

Mercy Medical Center

345 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202

(410) 332-9477

  1. Report the injury or exposure to ESH and your supervisor.

 

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