There are inherent risks to working with human source materials, including human blood, blood products, or bodily fluids, human derived cell lines or tissues, or other potentially infectious material (OPIM including semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva from dental procedures, or any bodily fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood), in a research laboratory environment.
Use of these materials is subject to the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
Pathogenic microorganisms present in human blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM), which can infect and cause disease in persons exposed to materials containing these pathogens.
Common Examples -
Work with human blood and OPIM involves risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other opportunistic pathogens that may be present.
Non-Human Primate (NHP) materials present many of the same risks as working with human source materials and offer some additional risks as well. Old World NHP specimens (i.e. macaques) may contain Herpes B virus (Macacine herpesvirus) and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV). Macaques with Herpes B infection may present only mild symptoms (mild oral lesions), if any symptoms at all, but Herpes B infection in humans can be fatal. Other pathogens may cross between species (e.g. influenzas, SARS Co-V, West Nile virus, etc.).
In accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030, each PI whose work involves human source materials or OPIM must establish a written Exposure Control Plan (ECP) designed to minimize employee exposure. When you complete the UK Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) protocol registration, you will find the ECP in the "Infectious Agents" tab.
Per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030, the hepatitis B vaccination series must be made available at no cost to all employees with occupational exposure to human source materials or OPIM. Employees are not required to take the hepatitis B vaccine. Employees may initially decline the hepatitis B vaccination and choose to later accept the hepatitis B vaccination.
All lab employees with exposure to human source materials or OPIM must sign the ECP Personnel Statement form to indicate their acceptance or declination of the hepatitis B vaccination. This form is available online here.
Hepatitis B vaccination is obtained through UK Employee Health. Follow the procedure below to obtain the Hepatitis B vaccination.