Section VII: Information and Training

Having well-informed and educated employees is extremely important when attempting to eliminate or minimize exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Because of this, all employees who have the potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens will be provided access to a comprehensive training program and will be furnished with as much information as possible on this issue. Employees will be provided access to retraining at least annually to keep their knowledge current.

All new employees, as well as employees changing jobs or job function, will be provided access to any additional training required by their new position at the time of their new job assignment.

A. TRAINING TOPICS

The topics covered in the training program include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard itself.
• The epidemiology and symptoms of bloodborne disease.
• The modes of transmission of bloodborne pathogens.
• The school district’s Exposure Control Plan (and where employees can obtain a copy).
• Appropriate methods for recognizing tasks and other activities that may involve the exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials.
• A review of the use and limitations of methods that will prevent or reduce exposures, including:
  • Engineering controls
  • Work practice controls/Universal Precautions
  • Personal protective equipment
• Information on the types, proper use, location, removal, handling, decontamination and disposal of personal protective equipment.
• An explanation of the basis for the selection of personal protective equipment.
• Information on Hepatitis B vaccine, including:
  • Efficacy
  • Safety
  • Method of administration
  • Benefits of vaccination
  • Free availability of vaccine
• Actions to take and persons to contact in an emergency involving blood or other potentially infectious materials.
• The procedures to follow if an exposure incident occurs, including incident reporting and medical follow-up that will be made available.
• Information on the post-exposure evaluation and follow-up that the employer is required to provide the employee following the exposure incident.
• An explanation of the signs and labels used.
• An opportunity for interactive questions and answers with the person conducting the training session.

B. TRAINING METHODS

The school district makes use of several training techniques, which may include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

• classroom with personal instruction
• videotape programs
• training manuals/employee handouts
• employee review sessions
• annual education day

Because employees need an opportunity to ask questions and interact with their instructors, time is specifically allotted for these activities in each training session.

C. RECORDKEEPING

To facilitate the training of employees, as well as to document the training process, training records are maintained containing the following information: date and time of training session
contents/summary of the training session
names and qualifications of the instructors
names, job titles, and social security numbers of the employees attending the training session
(See appendix- FORM O).

Use of a computer and/or the forms on the following page facilitate this record keeping. These training records are available for examination and copying to employees and their representatives as well as OSHA and its representatives.