Download the OSHA manual - Wisconsin Dental Association

APPENDIXUSEFUL DEFINITIONSBloodborne Pathogens: pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can causedisease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis CVirus (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).Contaminated: the presence or the reasonably anticipated presence of blood or other potentially infectiousmaterials on an item or surface (including saliva in dentistry).Decontamination: the use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate or destroy bloodbornepathogens on a surface or item to the point where they are no longer capable of transmitting infectiousparticles and the surface or item is rendered safe for handling, use or disposal.Engineering Controls: mechanisms that isolate or remove the bloodborne pathogens hazard from theworkplace (e.g. sharps disposal containers, self sheathing needles).Exposure Determination: means employers must identify all job classifications in which the duties includedirect contact with patient mucous membranes, and/or contaminated instruments, equipment, appliances,waste, laundry, etc. Personnel performing these jobs could be exposed to blood or other potentiallyinfectious materials and are entitled to the full protection of the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard(e.g. dentist, dental assistant, hygienist, lab technician, equipment maintenance staff).Employees whose job classification does not normally include direct contact with blood or otherpotentially infectious materials, but who may sometimes be called on to perform exposure-prone task,must be identified and a complete list of potentially exposure prone tasks they could be asked to performmust be documented (e.g. secretary, business manager, receptionist who is asked to clean up operatory,sterilized instruments, handle contaminated equipment when dental assistant is absent).Exposure Incident: means specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin or parenteralcontact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that result from the performance of anemployee’s duties.General Duty Clause: all employers must furnish employees a place of employment free from recognizedhazards that are causing, or are likely to cause, death or serious harm.Needleless Systems: describes devices that do not use needles to collect bodily fluids or withdraw bodyfluids (after initial vascular access is established) in order to administer medication or fluids.Occupational Exposure: reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane or parenteral contact withblood or other potentially infectious materials that result from performance of an employee’s duties.Sharps with Engineered Sharps Injury Protection: describes a non-needle sharp or a needle device usedfor withdrawing body fluids, accessing a vein or artery or administering medication or other fluids with abuilt in safety feature or mechanism that effectively reduces the risk of an exposure incident.OSHA EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN…a member benefit from the WDAa6