FILE:  GAMFB

 

GUIDELINES FOR HANDLING BODY FLUIDS IN SCHOOL

 

 

The St. Tammany Parish School Board shall require all personnel to follow specific guidelines in the handling of body fluids in the school setting.  While the risk of infection may be low, contact with body fluids shall be minimized.  Employees who fail to use proper precautions for handling body fluids may be subject to disciplinary action.

 

The body fluids of all persons should be considered to contain potentially infectious agents (germs).  The term "body fluids" includes:  blood, semen, drainage from scrapes and cuts, feces, urine, vomitus, respiratory secretions (e.g., nasal discharge) and saliva.  Contact with body fluids presents a risk of infection with a variety of germs.  In general, however, the risk is very low and dependent on a variety of factors including the type of fluid with which contact is made and the type of contact made with it.

 

Guidelines for handling of body fluids shall include, but not be limited to the following:

 

  1. Gloves should be worn by anyone when cleaning up body fluids.  If unanticipated skin contact occurs where gloves many not be immediately available, hands and/or other affected skin area of all exposed persons should be routinely washed with soap and water after direct contact has ceased.  Gloves should also be worn when removing any body fluid spills from the environment (e.g., furniture, floors, rug).

  2. Hand washing after contact with an individual is routinely recommended if physical contact has been made with the person’s blood or body fluids, including saliva.  Flush eyes with water/saline for a minimum of thirty (30) seconds.

  3. Proper hand washing requires the use of soap and water and vigorous washing under a stream of running water for a minimum of twenty (20) seconds or longer.

  4. Clothing and other non-disposable materials that are soaked with body fluids should be placed in plastic bags for further disposition.  Disposable towels, tissues and cleaning supplies should be used whenever possible.

  5. Soiled environmental surfaces and utensils should be promptly cleaned with cleansers supplied by the School Board.  Mops and other cleaning equipment should be thoroughly rinsed in an approved solution.  Approved sanitary absorbent agents and/or an approved germicidal shampoo should be used on rugs.

 

Adopted:  January 11, 2018

 

 

Ref:    Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education

Board minutes, 1-11-18

 

St. Tammany Parish School Board