POL-U5950.07 Bloodborne Pathogens

The Washington Administrative Code Part 296­823 Provides Regulations to University personnel for handling of and exposure to bloodborne pathogens or potentially infectious material.  These regulations are applicable to employees in several areas of the University, specifically those who have an occupational exposure to human blood or other potentially infectious materials.  The regulations provide a list of materials included as bloodborne pathogens.  The term, blood, shall be taken to indicate human blood and to include the other potentially infectious materials presented in the list.

Occupational exposures are those exposures which are reasonably anticipated as a result of skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral (under the skin) contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials during the performance of duties. This excludes incidental exposures that may take place which are neither reasonably nor routinely expected or that the worker is not required to incur on the job.

The University administration has assigned the task of implementing the bloodborne pathogens regulations to department heads and center directors. 

Supervisors are responsible to the department head for implementing this standard. The Environmental Health and Safety office coordinates the bloodborne pathogens program.

The University's program requires that students receive the same protection and training as employees while they are pursuing
academically ­related endeavors. 

However, students may be required to provide Hepatitis B virus vaccination at their own expense and show documentation of vaccination prior to commencing selected academic activities.