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American University is committed to providing a safe work environment for its entire staff. To ensure their well-being, a Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan has been developed to minimize occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials.

What are "blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM)?"

According to the OSHA BBP standard, these terms include:

1. Human blood, human blood components, and products made from human blood;
2. Several human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids;
3. Any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human (living or dead);
4. HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures, organ cultures, and HIV- or HBV-containing culture medium or other solutions (this can include commercially-available human cell lines that have not been shown to be pathogen free); and
5. Blood, organs, or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV. 

Training

Employees enrolled in the Bloodborne Pathogens Program must complete training on an annual basis. EH&S provides this training via the HSI Platform.

Hepatitis B Vaccination (HBV)

American University offers the Hepatitis B Vaccination series, free of charge, to all employees enrolled in the BBP. This vaccination is not mandatory.  

Exposure Incidents

In the event of an occupational exposure incident, the exposed employee is encouraged to follow the steps outlined in the Post-Exposure Packet (PEP) as soon as possible.