1. Risk Assessment & Job Analysis

Risk assessment: research involving the use of human blood, cells, tissues, organs, or cell lines regardless of testing for HIV & HBV (because of the potential for exposure to adventitious or unknown agents)

The employee job description, responsibilities and functions, are used to make an assessment of potential exposures to human blood, tissues, organs, contaminated sharps or contaminated wastes and whether this potential exposure can be reasonably anticipated as part of the job.

2. Control Risk: Develop an Exposure Control Plan (ECP)

The Principal Investigator (PI) is responsible for developing a written plan that outlines the way exposures to potentially infectious materials will be controlled. Exposures will be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment, procedures and equipment. The Biosafety Program (BSP) has a generic ECP that is available via the BSP Web Page under Forms. PI's are expected to download this and tailor the generic ECP to their particular research project. The ECP must identify responsible individuals, where equipment is located, how it is to be used, and what to do in case of an exposure.

The supervisor is responsible for developing the ECP which outlines the way exposures to potentially infectious materials will be controlled. Exposures will be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and procedures. BSP has a generic ECP that is available via the BSP Web Page under Forms. Supervisors are expected to download this and fill-in the appropriate information. The ECP must identify responsible individuals, where equipment is located, how it is to be used, and what to do in case of an exposure.

3. Review and Approval of ECP

BSP reviews the draft ECP from step 2, and recommends changes or clarifications. Once these have been incorporated into the ECP, BSP will approve the ECP. The approved ECP is used as the basis for the subsequent training session (step 4).

BSP reviews the draft ECP from step 2, and recommends changes or clarifications. Once these have been incorporated into the ECP, the BSP will approve the ECP. The approved ECP is used as the basis for the subsequent training session (step 4).

4. Training and information

All investigators, students and lab employees that will work with human materials must attend a training session at which the contents of the ECP are explained, discussed and questions answered. Attendance at one of these sessions is required before the HBV vaccine can be offered. This session should take place before individuals begin work with human materials.

All at risk employees must attend a training session at which the contents of the ECP are explained, discussed and questions answered. Attendance at one of these sessions is required before the HBV vaccine can be offered. This session must take place before individuals begin work with human materials.

5. HBV Vaccination

Part of the training and information session outlined in step 4 is an explanation of the MIT HBV vaccination program. A form must be filled out at the session indicating whether the vaccination has been accepted or declined. Copies of these forms are forwarded to MIT Medical. The vaccinations are free of charge. Individuals may decline the vaccine, then change their minds and receive the vaccine free of charge at any time.

Part of the training and information session outlined in step 4 is an explanation of the MIT HBV vaccination program. A form must be filled out at the session indicating whether the vaccination has been accepted or declined. Copies of these forms are forwarded to MIT Medical. The vaccinations are free of charge. Individuals may decline the vaccine, then change their minds and receive the vaccine free of charge at any time.

6. Annual ECP Renewal & Retraining

The OSHA BBP Standard requires that the ECP be reviewed and updated if necessary on an annual basis. Individuals covered by this standard must receive annual re-training. This re-training can be arranged by contacting BSP at 2-3477.

The OSHA BBP Standard requires that the ECP be reviewed and updated if necessary on an annual basis. Individuals covered by this Standard must receive annual re-training. This re-training can be arranged by contacting BSP 2-3477.