This policy shall be known as the "Patterson Township Exposure Control
Policy for All Employees, Including but Not Limited to Police and Firemen."
It is the intent of the Patterson Township Board of Commissioners to
minimize or eliminate all employee exposure to infectious diseases and or
exposure to blood-borne pathogens.
Since no one can reliably identify a person infected with HIV or other
blood-borne pathogen, blood and body fluid precautions shall be consistently
used for all persons. This is especially important in an emergency setting
such as a car accident or gunshot wound in which the risk of blood exposure
is increased and any infection status of the victim is usually unknown.
Precautions shall be maintained for every person attended if contact
with their blood or body fluid is possible, regardless if they are known to
you or not. Body fluids include saliva, sputum, gastric secretions, urine,
feces, semen, breast milk, tears, sweat and blood. Precautions are especially
important in an emergency-care setting in which the risk of blood exposure
is increased. This includes but is not limited to car accidents, gunshot wounds,
caring for trauma patients or assisting OB-GYN emergencies.
Thorough hand washing is imperative in the following situations:
A. If and/or when contamination with blood or other body
fluids occur.
B. Following removal of gloves.
D. Before and following the use of toilet facilities.
E. After disposing of infectious waste.