WAC 296-823-12005   Provide training to your employees.  

     You must:

     • Make sure all employees with occupational exposure participate in a training program that is:

     – Provided at no cost to them

     – Conducted during compensated working hours.

     • Provide training when any of the following occur:

     – Before assigning tasks where occupational exposure might occur

     – At least annually and within one year of the previous training.

     • Make sure the content and vocabulary of your training materials are appropriate to the educational level, literacy, and language of your employees

     • Make sure the person conducting the required training is knowledgeable about the subject matter as it relates to your workplace

     • Make sure the training program contains at least the following elements:

     – An accessible copy of this chapter and an explanation of the contents

     – A general explanation of the epidemiology and symptoms of bloodborne diseases

     – An explanation of how bloodborne pathogens are transmitted

     – An explanation of your exposure control plan and how the employee can obtain a copy of the written plan

     – An explanation of how to recognize tasks and other activities that could involve exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM)

     – An explanation of the use and limitations of methods that will prevent or reduce exposure including:

     • Equipment and safer medical devices

     • Work practices

     • Personal protective equipment

     – Information about personal protective equipment (PPE) including:

     • The types

     • Proper use and limitations

     • Selection

     • Location

     • Putting it on and taking it off

     • Handling

     • Decontamination

     • Disposal

     – Information about the hepatitis B vaccine, including:

     • Information about its effectiveness

     • Safety

     • Method of administration

     • The benefits of being vaccinated

     • Offered at no cost to the employee for the vaccine and vaccination

     – Information about what actions to take and persons to contact when exposure to blood or OPIM occurs outside of the normal scope of work

     – An explanation of the procedure to follow if an exposure incident occurs, including:

     • The method of reporting the incident

     • The medical evaluation and follow-up that will be available

     – Information about the post-exposure evaluation and follow-up procedure following an exposure incident

     – An explanation of the signs and labeling or color-coding required by this chapter

     – An opportunity for interactive questions and answers with the trainer at the time of the training session.

Note:

This may be person-to-person, by telephone, or by e-mail, as long as the employee can both ask and receive answers during the training session.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 03-09-110, § 296-823-12005, filed 4/22/03, effective 8/1/03.]