{"id":13310,"date":"2020-02-15T12:10:54","date_gmt":"2020-02-15T12:10:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onlinecprcertification.net\/blog\/?p=13310"},"modified":"2025-04-18T08:27:25","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T08:27:25","slug":"whats-an-exposure-control-plan-why-you-may-need-one-in-your-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onlinecprcertification.net\/blog\/whats-an-exposure-control-plan-why-you-may-need-one-in-your-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s an Exposure Control Plan & Why You May Need One in Your Workplace?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Implementing an Effective Exposure Control Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does your workplace\nhave an exposure control plan (ECP)? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it doesn\u2019t then\nyou should asses your risk levels and determine if you need to implement one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But for most industries, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard requires that employers develop an\nexposure mitigation strategy. This law expects a well-documented plan with\nclear explanations on how you plan to\ncontrol bloodborne pathogens exposure<\/a> including a clear course of action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Critical Role of an Exposure Control Strategy <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To start with, a control strategy protects your employees\nfrom contact with bloodborne pathogens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number two, it is a requirement by the law and you want\nto be in compliance more so if your staff are at the danger of bloodborne pathogens exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And lastly, it saves you a lot of costs on compensating\nexposure cases, hospital bills, lost worker time and new hires by increasing\nawareness and reducing instances of infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how can you execute an exposure mitigation plan in 10 steps?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Inform\n your team about this plan using internal awareness campaigns. Display a\n copy of this document somewhere and let everyone know where it is located.<\/li>
  2. Assign\n one employee with knowledge in Bloodborne pathogens and risk management to\n lead the plan.<\/li>
  3. Determine\n all the job positions or company processes that expose employees to potentially\n infectious materials. <\/li>
  4. Offer\n your workforce safety gadgets built to reduce all sorts of sharps injuries\n to workers who utilize these tools.<\/li>
  5. Gather\n feedback from employees in the assessment and choice of safety gadgets. Include\n the safety device selection process in you official plan.<\/li>
  6. Give\n the details of you course of action. Your exposure control plan should\n include the specific problem; how you plan to reduce control it and who is\n going to accomplish those duties.<\/li>
  7. Mention\n the significance of personal\n protective equipment also known as PPE. Your official document\n must provide instructions on proper usage and use cases of the various PPEs,\n such as throwaway gloves, cut-resistant gloves, and face goggles for eye\n safety.  <\/li>
  8. Control\n the spread of hepatitis B protection by administering the vaccine free of\n charge to staffs. In your plan, include the people who will supervise the vaccine\n program and attach a form for staffs who decline your vaccine programs.<\/li>
  9. Teach\n you workers on how to report any infection cases and develop a strategy for\n instant medical diagnosis and action. The best interventions also include\n psychological therapy.<\/li>
  10. Bring\n up to date your Bloodborne pathogen ECP annually or during high-infection\n seasons.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Assessing Exposure Risks Accurately Can Lead to a Better ECP <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You\ncannot draft an accurate exposure plan if you don\u2019t assess workplace risks\naccurately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Workplace risk assessment primarily aims at preventing\npotential dangers of exposure at a given workplace. Thus, it should always be\ndone before executing tasks or activities in an organization and throughout the\nlifetime of a company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In this case you will be assessing injury risks\nbecause workplace injuries are the main cause of Bloodborne pathogens exposure.\nSo if you analyze your workstation risks accurately then you can draft an\nexposure control plan that covers all risks and protects your workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Carrying out risk assessments before executing tasks\nor activities in the workplace ensures potential hazards are identified,\neliminated or managed to low levels to avoid harm to the immediate persons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s important to carry out risk assessments before\nsignificant changes are incorporated to existing activities. For instance, when\nthere is change in equipment, machinery or new info on potential hazards within\nthe workplace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When you are doing an\nassessment, it\u2019s important to consider the following factors;<\/p>\n\n\n\n