Skip to main content
Environmental Health & Safety » Bloodborne Pathogens

Bloodborne Pathogens

Bloodborne pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that are present in the blood of infected individuals and can cause disease in humans.  These disease causing organisms can be found in all body fluids, unfixed tissue, cell lines, and in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids and other materials.  These pathogenic microorganisms are a concern because they are capable of infecting others who are exposed to infectious blood or other body fluids.
 
District employees whose job duties have a reasonable anticipation of contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials have the potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.  Our District Exposure Control Plan (ECP) provides access to controls, training and free Hepatitis B immunization for those employees who are potentially exposed.  Copies of the ECP are kept in the main office of each school building, Nurse's Office, Facilities, Transportation and the Central Office.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) causes an infection of the liver. Symptoms of HBV infection may range from none to flu-like symptoms, jaundice and serious illness. If symptoms do occur, they may not present until 2 to 6 months after the person is infected. Infection with HBV can lead to chronic diseases later in life, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer and death (follow the link at the bottom of the page for more information).

District employees whose job duties have a reasonable anticipation of contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials will be offered a vaccination series against HBV at no cost to the employee.  The vaccine is offered after the employee has received bloodborne pathogens training and within ten working days of initial assignment to work unless:

  • the employee has previously received the complete hepatitis B vaccination series,
  • antibody testing has revealed that the employee is immune,
  • the vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons or
  • the employee declines to receive the vaccine and signs the required statement to that effect (Note: an employee who has declined to receive the vaccine and later decides to receive it shall be again offered the vaccine).
 

A form for consent or declination of the HBV vaccine must be completed by all workers whose job duties have been identified as placing them at risk for exposure. A link to the standard Cinnaminson Township Public Schools form and information may be found at the bottom of this page.

This form should be completed and returned to the School Nurse at your building.

Resources

 
 

Employee Refresher Training

Files