How Often Should Exposure Control Plans Be Reviewed And Updated?

There’s no definitive answer to how often you should review and update your exposure control plan. However, it’s important to keep it up-to-date so that it accurately reflects your current work processes and procedures. Review your plan at least annually, or sooner if there are any changes to your work that could affect exposure risks.

Checkout this video:

Introduction

Exposure control plans (ECPs) are written plans that outline how a practice will protect staff, patients, and others from exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). ECPs are required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Review and update your ECP at least annually, and more often if needed.

What is an Exposure Control Plan?

An exposure control plan is a plan that outlines how a company will protect its employees from exposure to hazardous materials. The plan will identify the hazards, assess the risks, and establish protocols for dealing with exposure. The plan must be reviewed and updated on a regular basis to ensure that it is effective and up-to-date.

When should an Exposure Control Plan be reviewed and updated?

There is no single answer to this question as it will depend on a number of factors, including the type of business, the size of the workforce, and the nature of the work being carried out. However, as a general guide, exposure control plans should be reviewed and updated at least once a year. This will ensure that they remain relevant and effective in protecting employees from exposure to hazardous materials.

Why is it important to review and update Exposure Control Plans?

As soon as a new hazard is identified in the workplace, or a new control measure is introduced, the Exposure Control Plan should be reviewed and updated. Reviewing and updating the Exposure Control Plan on a regular basis ensures that it remains effective in protecting workers from exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

How to review and update Exposure Control Plans

Exposure Control Plans (ECPs) are designed to protect employees from exposure to bloodborne pathogens. These plans should be reviewed and updated at least annually, and more often if necessary. The following are some factors to consider when determining how often to review and update your Exposure Control Plan:

-Has there been a change in the workplace that could affect employee exposure to bloodborne pathogens?
-Have any new or revised OSHA standards been published that could affect the Exposure Control Plan?
-Have any new products or technology been introduced that could reduce employee exposure to bloodborne pathogens?
-Has there been a change in the employer’s health and safety program that could affect employee exposure to bloodborne pathogens?
-Have any new or revised medical advancements been made that could affect employee exposure to bloodborne pathogens?

If any of these factors have changed, it is likely that the Exposure Control Plan will need to be updated. Reviewing and updating the Exposure Control Plan on a regular basis will help ensure that employees are protected from exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Tips for reviewing and updating Exposure Control Plans

Health care workers are exposed to many potential risks on the job, including exposure to blood and other body fluids, sharps injuries, and airborne pathogens. To help protect workers from these risks, health care facilities are required to have an Exposure Control Plan (ECP) in place.

An ECP is a written plan that details how the facility will minimize or eliminate exposure to blood and other body fluids, sharps, and airborne pathogens. The ECP must be reviewed and updated at least annually, or more often if required by state or local law.

When reviewing the ECP, facilities should consider the following:
-Are there any new or revised exposure control regulations?
-Has the facility had any new or revised construction?
-Has the layout of the facility changed?
-Have there been any changes in equipment or worker duties that could affect exposure risks?
-Has the facility had any new or revised worker training?
Update the ECP as needed to reflect any changes in these areas. Be sure to keep a copy of the updated ECP on file and make it accessible to all workers.

Summary

Exposure Control Plans (ECPs) should be reviewed and updated at least annually and more often if there are changes in the workplace that could affect employee exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Reviewing and updating ECPs helps to ensure that they remain effective in protecting employees from exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Resources

There are many resources available to help employers develop and update their exposure control plans. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed a model Exposure Control Plan that can be used as a guide. In addition, OSHA’s Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Respiratory Protection Standard provides detailed information on how to develop and implement an effective exposure control plan.

FAQs

Q: How often should exposure control plans be reviewed and updated?
A: The plan should be reviewed at least annually and updated as needed, particularly if new health hazards are identified or if new methods of controlling exposure are adopted.

Contact Us

AtSafety, we’re always happy to answer any questions you may have about safety in the workplace. Contact us today for more information about exposure control plans and how often they should be reviewed and updated.