Exposure Incidents

An exposure incident is defined as specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin or parenteral contact with blood or potentially infectious materials.  Examples of exposure incidents include needle sticks, splash/spatter to the mucous membranes of the face, and any other incident that involves contact between blood or potentially infectious materials and non-intact skin (cuts, scratches, chapped skin, etc.).

In case of exposure, immediately wash your hands and any other skin with soap and water, or flush mucous membranes with water, if applicable.  Inform your supervisor immediately, and complete a PLU Injury Report.

The Bloodborne Pathogen rule requires that PLU establish and maintain a Sharps Injury Log to record all contaminated sharps injuries in a facility. The purpose of this log is to help evaluate and identify problem devices or procedures that require attention. The EH&S Manager is responsible for maintaining the Sharps Injury Log, and is submitted to OSHA/BLS as part of annual reporting requirements.

The Sharps Injury Log will contain the date of the injury, the department the injury occurred, the type of device being used at the time of the injury, and a brief description of the occurrence.  This log is retained for 5 years after the completion of the calendar year.