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Bloodborne Pathogens
Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan
Environmental Health and Safety developed the Bloodborne Pathogens Program and associated Exposure Control Plan to reduce the risk of occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) in accordance with the Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (California Code of Regulations, Title 8, 5193). This program sets forth procedures, control measures, and equipment designed to minimize risk from exposure to the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and other pathogens transmitted by contact with human blood.
The Bloodborne Pathogens Program applies to all University employees who have potential occupational exposures with blood or potentially infectious materials during their normal job duties.
Bloodborne Pathogens Control Plan Documents
Please see these documents for Cal Poly Humboldt's bloodborne pathogens policies and procedures.
Do not transmit medical information through email. Please bring any forms containing medical information in a sealed envelope to Environmental Health and Services Student Business Services, Room 311.
Bloodborne Pathogens Control Plan (September 2026)
Treat every exposure seriously
This page is a field guide, not a replacement for the full plan. Use the complete plan, your department Exposure Control Plan, applicable SOPs, training, and supervisor direction for full requirements
For emergencies
University Police
Via Cell: 707-826-5555
Via Campus Phone: 911
For emergencies
Contact EH&S
Phone 1: 707-826-3612
Phone 2: 707-826-5711
Phone 3: 707-826-3305
Email: risk-management@humboldt.edu
Do not email medical information. If you contact EH&S via email, give only the type of exposure, the Department involved, and a person for follow-up contact.
After an Exposure - Act Immediately
An exposure includes contact with eyes, mouth, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, or a puncture involving blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM). First aid and medical evaluation should never wait for paperwork.
Immediate Response
Wash, report, seek care
- Wash needlesticks, cuts, and exposed skin immediately with soap and running water. Flush exposed eyes, nose, mouth, or other mucous membranes with water. Do not squeeze the wound or apply bleach, alcohol, or disinfectants to the body
- Remove clothing penetrated by blood or OPIM as soon as feasible.
- Seek medical attention promptly at the Student Health Center or Mad River Community Hospital. For an emergency, contact UPD at 707-826-5555 or call 911.
- Report to EH&S at 707-826-3612, 707-826-3305, or 707-826-5711 during office hours; notify your supervisor and complete the applicable Worker's Compensation reporting.
Protect Confidentiality
Email Only a Minimal Notice
If EH&S cannot be reached by phone, give only that an occupational exposure occurred, the department involved, and a contact for follow-up.
Do not send medical information by email.
For a sharps injury, submit a hardcopy Sharps Injury Report to EH&S when applicable. Do not include the exposed employee's name, employee ID, medical information, or other direct identifier on that report.
Post-exposure care is immediate, confidential, and provided at no cost.
It includes evaluation of the route and circumstances, relevant testing with consent, medically indicated prophylaxis, and follow-up.
Universal Precautions
Treat all human blood and specified body fluids as if known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, HCV, or other bloodborne pathogens.
Engineering Controls
Isolate or remove the hazards.
- Needleless sharps
- Engineered sharps protection
- Class II biological safety cabinets
- Splashguards and contained centrifuges
- Accessible sharps containers
Work Practices
Perform tasks to minimize splash, spray, spatter, and droplets.
- Wash hands after contact and glove removal
- Keep food and drink out of exposure areas
- Never mouth-pipette blood or OPIM
- Decontaminate surfaces and equipment
- Handle contaminated laundry minimally
Personal Protective Equipment
Select PPE for the task and expected degree of exposure.
- Gloves for hand-contact risk
- Eye, face, and mask protection for splashes
- Gown, apron, or lab coat as needed
- Remove PPE before leaving the work area
- Place used PPE in the designated container
Sharps Safety
Use needleless systems when available and appropriate. Otherwise, use devices with engineered sharps injury protection and activate the safety feature as intended.
During use
Keep control of the sharp
- Keep the disposal container upright, visible, close, and accessible
- Dispose immediately or as soon as possible after use
- Replace containers before overfilling
- Use safe patient-handling techniques
- Use a mechanical device for contaminated broken glass
Prohibited
Never handle this way
- Do not shear or break contaminated sharps
- Do not bend, recap, or remove them by hand except under the plan's narrow documented exception
- Do not reach into a sharps container
- Do not open, empty, or manually clean a sharps container
- Do not reuse disposable sharps
Sharps Injury Reporting
Employee
Immediately - Report the sharps injury to the supervisor and contact EH&S via phone or via email with minimal detail.
Supervisor
Before shift ends - Notify EH&S if employee was unable.
Within 1 workday - Submit the Sharps Injury Report form.
EH&S
Within 14 workdays - Interview the employee and complete the confidential log entry.
PPE & Cleanup
PPE is appropriate only when it prevents blood or OPIM from reaching clothing, skin, eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes during normal use.
Gloves
- Wear when hand contact is reasonably anticipated
- Replace disposable gloves when contaminated, torn, punctured, or compromised
- Never wash disposable gloves for reuse
- Wash hands immediately after removal
Splash Protection
- Wear mask plus eye protection, or a chin-length face shield, when splashes or droplets are anticipated
- Choose protective clothing for the task and fluid volume
- Remove penetrated garments immediately or as soon as feasible
- Remember: a surgical mask is not a respirator
Contaminated Equipment
- Clean and reprocess reusable equipment before reuse
- Discard single-use items correctly
- Label equipment and identify portions that remain contaminated
- Use the required biohazard label or approved red container/bag
Laundry & Waste
- Bag laundry at the point of use; do not sort or rinse there
- Use leak-resistant bags when soak-through is possible
- Close sharps containers before removal
- Follow regulated medical-waste requirements
Vaccination & Training
Employees with occupational exposure receive protection, information, and training at no cost and during work hours.
Hepatitis B Vaccination
The hepatitis B vaccine or series must be offered at no cost after required training and within 10 working days of initial assignment to occupationally exposed duties, unless the series is complete, immunity is documented, or vaccination is medically contraindicated.
An employee may decline using the required waiver and may later accept the vaccination at no cost while still covered.
Training Schedule
- At initial assignment
- At least annually thereafter
- Within one year of prior training
- Whenever changed tasks, procedures, or controls create new exposures
- With an opportunity for interactive questions
Personal Readiness Check
- I know which tasks in my role involve blood or OPIM
- I can access my department Exposure Control Plan and applicable SOPs
- I know where PPE, handwashing, spill supplies, and sharps containers are located
- I know the immediate exposure-response and reporting steps
- I have completed current training and addressed hepatitis B vaccination