Bloodborne Pathogens        

Periodically, there are some concerns about blood spills and bloodborne pathogens.  When something like this happens, we all take universal precautions by protecting against blood to blood contact.  We must treat everyone's blood as potentially infectious since we normally do not know who might be carrying a blood infection.  

Any blood disease is transmitted through contact with blood, body fluids that are visibly contaminated with blood, a cut in the skin or mucous membranes.  If someone in the classroom, office or work area has a minor cut or has a bloody nose, assist that person to help him or herself.  provide paper towels, handkerchiefs or tissues.  Ask them to apply pressure to stop the bleeding.  If blood happens to fall onto the desks or floor, please block the area off and stay clear until it is cleaned up.

Communications to appropriate departments are key in response to the clean up of blood spots or spills.  During normal business hours, please contact your campus facility maintenance.  Provide them with the exact location and ask them to coordinate the campus police.  They will direct the clean up crew.  Please remember, first aid is first aid.  In emergencies, dial 911 and then alert the campus police.  They will assist in directing the emergency medical team to the correct location.

Please remember that individuals will not be affected by working with someone who is infected.  As always, please stay focused and continue to use common sense as your guide in everything you do.  

Accident Reporting  

Occasionally, we do a less than satisfactory job in timely reporting accidents to Human Resources.  This includes the affected person and the supervisor, who should have immediate knowledge of the accident.  Delay in reporting because paper work sits on someone's desk or someone is on vacation sends the wrong signal and becomes suspect.  Delays definitely and significantly affect the amount of work involved to process the claim and get the necessary approvals and make any claim payments.  Individual and supervisors should immediately inform Human Resources at 703-323-3110 of the accident and immediately complete and submit to HR the necessary forms for processing.  Complete instructions and forms are on the HR website at www.nvcc.edu/hr/  and are downloadable.

Very important in this effort is to select the physician's office from the list of providers that is part of the instructions.  Supervisors should take the time to review the procedures with all concerned, at the beginning of employment, and periodically thereafter in training sessions and/or by memo.

Let us all improve in this area.  Workers Com. people are tough on those who neglect as well as those who abuse the system.  Lets take care our people and ourselves.