Teargas, defensive sprays, and special training for the professional.

Information of Personal Protection Equipment for the Employer

Level of Exposure

Each employer must determine the level of exposure of all employees, listing job classifications in which all employees have occupational exposures, such as surgeons, dentist, paramedics. A second group includes job classifications in which some employees have occupational exposures, including housekeepers, laundry workers, and others.

Training

The training program provided by the employer should include the federal definition of medical and infectious waste as well as information on the applicable state and local regulations. In addition, information on the handling and disposal of regulated waste, proper labeling and handling of contaminated equipment to eliminate or minimize risk of exposure should be taught. 

Communication

Employers should have a policy of open communication that will encourage their employees to notify them of any incidence of penetration of blood or fluids through protective equipment. This will give the employer an opportunity to replace inadequate protective equipment. If the situation is not corrected, the employee can report the incident to OSHA, subjecting the employer to fines for noncompliance.

Enforcement

This ruling contains a strict definition of the employer's responsibility for the protection of employees and the power of enforcement with civil and criminal penalties. If OSHA receives complaints from employees about blood or fluids penetrating protective equipment, the employer could be fined up to $7,000 per incident. Moreover, the employer could be fined up to $70,000 per incident if OSHA determines the violation to be willful. Criminal prosecutions can carry fines of $1,000 to $10,000 or up to six months imprisonment.

OSHA

OSHA provides free consultation services to employers who want to improve safety and health programs and need further assistance in training. A complete list of state offices providing these services is available in Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens, a publication of the U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA Publication #3127, 1992). To receive a single free copy, write OSHA Publication Office, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N301, Washington, D.C. 20210 or call (202) 523-9667. Or feel free to check out their web site at http://www.osha.gov.