Purpose:
The purpose of this plan is to establish policy and procedure for the maintaining, equipping and use of decontamination sites, located at various Saint Paul Police facilities. This plan refers to and complies with Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Occupational Safety and Health Division regulations dealing with blood-borne pathogens and hazardous substances.
Site Locations:
The following facilities shall house decontamination sites for the use of all Saint Paul Police employees:
- [Redacted].
- [Redacted].
- [Redacted].
- [Redacted].
- [Redacted].
Identifying and Equipping:
Command staff at each location, are responsible for maintaining the contamination site, including ensuring its functionality and being equipped with proper decontamination materials.
Specific areas shall be designated as decontamination sites at each of the above listed facilities. [Redacted] shall designate one specific area for female employees and one specific area for male employees. The impound lot shall designate one specific area to serve all employees.
The specific site within the above listed facilities shall be clearly marked as a decontamination site. Information shall be posted at each site to inform users of the proper procedures for decontamination, the location of decontamination equipment or clothing and the proper disposal of all contaminated material, property and clothing.
Each of the above listed sites shall maintain:
- A biohazard container for the disposal of contaminated material and property.
- A supply of biohazard bags for securing and handling contaminated clothing.
- A supply of biohazard tags or labels and tapes that clearly identify containers, materials or clothing as contaminated items and sites.
- A supply of disposable clothing for use after decontamination procedures.
Decontamination Procedures:
Upon exposure to blood-borne pathogens or hazardous materials, employees shall immediately proceed to the nearest facility that has been designated a decontamination site. Employees shall obtain the necessary decontamination material and proceed to the specific site. [Redacted].
All contaminated materials, property or items shall be placed in the containers that are provided.
All employees' clothing that is contaminated shall be placed in paper bags securely fastened and marked as contaminated. The officer(s) will also attach a property tag to the outside of the bag with the CN.
Employees shall complete the decontamination procedures as suggested by their level of contact with possible blood-borne pathogens or hazardous materials.
Upon completion of the required decontamination procedures as outlined for their level of contact, employees shall mark the decontamination site as Contaminated with the proper tags, labels or tapes.
All bagged employee clothing shall be taken to [redacted]. The contaminated clothing shall be placed in [redacted]. These bags shall be clearly marked as contaminated by tags, labels or tapes. Name of owner must be clearly identified on the items for return after proper laundering.
Decontaminated site supervisors shall notify the on-duty Saint Paul Police custodial staff of the contamination of the site as soon as possible. Supervisors assigned to the facility where the decontamination procedure takes place shall document that the affected employee did follow prescribed procedures as outlined by their level of contact. Custodial staff shall ensure the clean-up of the contaminated site as soon as possible. Records shall be maintained by the chief custodial engineer of all decontamination clean-up.
Removal and Disposal of Contaminated Material:
All contaminated clothing shall be picked up by a contracted service for laundering. This contracted service must have the appropriate license to handle contaminated clothing. Employees shall be notified when to pick up laundry items on their return.
All contaminated materials and items at decontaminated sites shall be brought to [redacted] by custodial personnel on a scheduled basis. Items shall be taken to a licensed disposal site by custodial personnel or picked up by a licensed contractor for disposal on a scheduled basis.
Disposal of Contaminated Needles (Sharps):
A needle stick or a cut from a contaminated needle can lead to infection from Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) or Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV), which causes AIDS. Police department employees are exposed to possibly contaminated sharps in various situations, including searches, recovery and handling of property and evidence, and removal of improperly disposed of needles.
Sharps Containers:
Containers for sharps are labeled with a bio-hazard label and/or color-coded red to ensure that everyone knows the contents are hazardous. Puncture-resistant boxes for disposable sharps have a lid, and must be maintained upright to keep liquids and the sharps inside.
Sharps Turned In As Evidence:
Sharps turned in as evidence must be inserted into the cylindrical bio-hazard containers with the red end caps in place. The outside of the container must be marked as a bio-hazard. (Other sharps, such as fixed-blade knives should be plainly marked and packaged so they do not cut through the container to prevent injury to property room personnel.)
Proper Disposal:
The best way to prevent cuts and sticks is to minimize contact with sharps. That means disposing of them immediately and promptly after recovery. Contaminated sharps must never be sheared or broken.
- Sharps shall be secured immediately, or as soon as possible, in the cylindrical containers marked with the appropriate bio-hazard warning label. [Redacted].
- The containers should then be placed in the puncture-resistant container. When disposing of contaminated sharps, employees must not reach by hand into the holding container.
Needles must be disposed of in the proper containers only, and must not be placed in any trash receptacle where contact and injury of another employee is possible.
Careful handling of sharps can prevent injury and reduce the risk of infection. By following these work practices, employees can decrease their chances of contracting a blood-borne illness.
Revised July 15, 2013