Flight Standards Service Bloodborne Pathogens Program

5/4/22 3900.71A Chapter 1. General Information 1. Purpose of This Order. The Flight Standards Service (FS) Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Program is established and maintained to prevent occupational exposure to pathogens in blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) by FS employees. This program specifies the actions necessary to protect the health and safety of all FS employees and provides the requirements for the development, implementation, and maintenance of an effective BBP Program.

a. BBP Program Elements. The elements of the BBP Program are designed to meet or exceed the requirements of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard, Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR) part 1910, § 1910.1030; and FAA Order 3900.19, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Occupational Safety and Health Policy.

b. Bloodborne Pathogens Program Manager (BBPPM). The program is administered by the FS-designated BBPPM, utilizing the FS Exposure Control Plan (ECP) (see Appendix A, Flight Standards Service Exposure Control Plan). The BBPPM oversees employee medical vaccination, post-exposure evaluation, training, and recordkeeping support via the FAA Occupational Medical Surveillance and Recordkeeping (OccMed) Program.

c. BBP Program Responsibilities. All FS office managers are responsible for BBP Program execution at the office level.

d. BBP Program Implementation. The FS OSH Office will work with senior management in the implementation of this BBP Program to include the appropriation of funding for pre-exposure prophylaxis hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccinations, post-exposure evaluations, and followups (including post-exposure prophylaxis), hand-sanitizing wipes, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for use by affected employees.

2. Audience. This order applies to all FS employees.

3. Where You Can Find This Order. You can find this order on the MyFAA employee website at https://employees.faa.gov/tools_resources/orders_notices, the Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS) at https://fsims.avs.faa.gov, and the Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) at https://drs.faa.gov. Operators and the public can find this order on the FAA’s website at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices, FSIMS at https://fsims.faa.gov, and the DRS.

4. What This Order Cancels. FAA Order 3900.71, Flight Standards Service Bloodborne Pathogens Program, dated September 1, 2016, is cancelled.

5. Policy. It is FS policy that employees comply with the FS BBP Program to prevent exposure to infectious diseases that could be contracted during the performance of work. This guidance represents the minimum requirements for the BBP Program. Site-specific requirements may be more stringent based upon local risk assessments.

6. Scope and Application. This program applies to FS personnel performing work tasks that may expose them to blood, human body fluids, or OPIM. Exposure potential is categorized as 1-1 5/4/22 3900.71A Occupational Exposure (Category 1) or Good Samaritan/Volunteer Lay Responder-Related Exposure (Category 2).

a. Occupational Exposure (Category 1). This category applies to employees who are reasonably anticipated to have occupational exposure because of their job responsibilities (such as aircraft accident investigators and employees who inspect air ambulance aircraft).

b. Good Samaritan/Volunteer Lay Responder-Related Exposure (Category 2). This category applies to employees who conduct Good Samaritan acts during a specific volunteer emergency medical incident (such as providing emergency first aid to a coworker).

7. Distribution. This order is distributed to all FS offices, branches, and facilities; and all FS employees.

8. Directive Feedback Information. Direct questions or comments to the Mission Services Division (AFB-100) at 9-NATL-AVS-AFS-OSH@faa.gov. For your convenience, FAA Form 1320-19, Directive Feedback Information, is the last page of this order. Note any deficiencies found, clarifications needed, or suggested improvements regarding the contents of this order on FAA Form 1320-19.

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5/4/22 3900.71A Chapter 2. Roles and Responsibilities 1. The Executive Director, Flight Standards Service (AFX-1). AFX-1 shall: a. Ensure that resources (funding and personnel) are available to effectively implement the BBP Program throughout the organization.

b. Oversee the overall implementation of the BBP Program in the FS organization.

c. Designate the FS Bloodborne Pathogens Program Manager (BBPPM).

2. FS Division Managers. FS Division Managers shall provide oversight of the BBP Program within their division.

3. Managers and Front Line Managers (FLM). This is a management program, and managers and FLMs shall: a. Manage and implement BBP Program requirements within their jurisdiction.

b. Identify individuals whose job functions may expose them to human blood or OPIM and identify their exposure determination category per the FS ECP (see Appendix A, Flight Standards Service Exposure Control Plan).

c. Designate an office Collateral Duty Occupational Safety and Health (CDOSH) point of contact (POC) for each office within their jurisdiction.

d. Furnish and maintain adequate disinfecting supplies and BBP-related personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with the FS ECP.

e. Ensure that employees receive BBP training in accordance with the training requirements in Chapter 3, Bloodborne Pathogens Program Requirements.

f. When notified of a potential BBP exposure by an employee, ensure that they seek medical attention, and notify the FS BBPPM of the exposure.

g. Ensure that employees report potential or actual workplace BBP exposure incidents in the Employees’ Compensation Operations and Management Portal (ECOMP).

h. Designate a minimum of two office BBP trainers to attend the train-the-trainer sessions and provide training to the other office employees if their office/jurisdiction includes Category 1 employees.

i. Notify employees of potential BBP hazards in work areas through signs, notices, and other written communication, where applicable.

j. Enforce acquisition and use of BBP PPE where required, and counsel employees when appropriate.

2-1 5/4/22 3900.71A 4. FS-Designated Bloodborne Pathogens Program Manager (BBPPM). The FS-designated BBPPM shall: a. Serve as the BBP subject matter expert (SME) for FS and perform overall FS BBP Program management.

b. Provide oversight and technical guidance to FS managers and supervisors to ensure compliance with the FS BBP Program, FAA orders, and applicable OSHA standards.

c. Assist responsible FS managers with the implementation of the FS ECP.

d. Assist managers and supervisors with the identification of employees at risk of exposure, the determination of hazardous work areas and tasks that may result in exposures, and the determination of the PPE requirements.

e. Oversee the overall management of BBP-related PPE, including standardization of PPE and any other related management/logistical need.

f. Assist offices in any post-exposure investigations and provide oversight for followup activities.

g. Evaluate lessons learned from potential exposures, reports from offices, information gathered during Safety Hazard Analyses (SHA), and/or new operations and activities that may introduce new or additional BBP exposures.

h. Develop FS-specific BBP training for FS Category 1 employees and their managers who perform work at or supervise those that work at aircraft accident scenes, inspect air ambulance facilities/aircraft, or other workplaces where there is more than a Good Samaritan/Volunteer Lay Responder-Related Exposure (Category 2), and collaborate with the Workforce Development Division (AFB-500) as needed for the FS BBP training.

i. Coordinate with the Occupational Medical Surveillance and Recordkeeping (OccMed) Program Lead where needed for program compliance and effectiveness.

j. Maintain a sharps injury log for FS, where needed.

5. Office Collateral Duty Occupational Safety and Health (CDOSH) Points of Contact (POC) (Appointed by Managers). Office CDOSH POCs shall: a. Be informed of blood and OPIM hazards associated with work areas and tasks within their jurisdiction.

b. Assist manager/supervisor with ensuring office compliance with the FS ECP and verify BBP PPE is maintained and accessible.

c. Review reports of BBP Program evaluations.

2-2 5/4/22 3900.71A 6. FAA OccMed Program Lead or Physician or Other Licensed Healthcare Professional (PLHCP). The OccMed Program Lead or PLHCP shall maintain all post-exposure records as directed by the FS BBPPM and the FAA OccMed Program.

7. Occupational Exposure (Category 1) Employees. Category 1 employees shall: a. Comply with this FS BBP Program, the FS ECP, applicable OSHA standards, FAA orders, and BBP training.

b. Participate in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination program and complete and sign FAA Form 3900-21, AFS Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Vaccination Consent/Decline Form.

c. Understand links between BBP, blood, and OPIM exposure hazards and their duties, including procedures, work areas, tasks, and equipment.

d. Use appropriate PPE whenever encountering or expecting to encounter blood or other bodily fluids in accordance with BBP training.

e. Report potential BBP hazards to their supervisor.

f. In the event of a potential BBP exposure: (1) Report any BBP exposure to the manager/supervisor. Follow the post-exposure procedures in the ECP in Appendix A and provide the necessary information to the manager/supervisor; and (2) Complete OSHA Form 301, Injury and Illness Incident Report, in ECOMP.

g. Wear approved PPE where BBP and OPIM hazards exist or are expected to be encountered, and properly use hand-sanitizing supplies as presented in training.

h. Work with the supervisor and physician, if needed, if the employee has a personal health problem (e.g., a latex allergy) or if the use of PPE could be aggravated by exposure to blood or OPIM hazards.

Note: An employee does not have to disclose a specific condition to the supervisor.

8. Good Samaritan/Volunteer Lay Responder-Related Exposure (Category 2) Employees.

Category 2 employees shall: a. Comply with this BBP Program, the FS ECP, applicable OSHA standards, FAA policy, and BBP training.

b. Report potential BBP and OPIM hazards or any BBP exposure to their supervisor for inclusion in a mishap report in ECOMP, using OSHA Form 301, if applicable.

c. Use universal precautions whenever encountering blood or other bodily fluids in accordance with BBP awareness training.

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5/4/22 3900.71A Chapter 3. Bloodborne Pathogens Program Requirements 1. Background. BBP are pathogenic micro-organisms present in human blood, body fluids, and OPIM that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, the hepatitis B virus (HBV), the hepatitis C virus (HCV), and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This BBP Program specifies the actions necessary to protect the health and safety of all FS employees and provides the requirements for the development, implementation, and maintenance of an effective BBP Program.

2. FS ECP. The FS ECP is provided in Appendix A and it covers all FS employees. The office CDOSH POCs shall review the FS ECP at least annually and evaluate the office’s program for effectiveness and compliance. The evaluation must be documented and include recommendations for increased effectiveness. Once the CDOSH POC has completed the ECP office evaluation, it shall be reviewed and approved by the office manager.

3. Exposure Determination. Exposure determinations are documented in this BBP Program and the FS ECP. Job tasks where FS employees may be exposed to BBP are categorized into two exposure profiles: a. Occupational Exposure (Category 1). Category 1 employees are employees with reasonably anticipated occupational exposure because of their routine job responsibilities (such as aircraft accident investigators, employees who inspect air ambulance aircraft, and employees who prepare contaminated components for shipment).

b. Good Samaritan/Volunteer Lay Responder-Related Exposure (Category 2).

Category 2 employees are employees who conduct Good Samaritan acts during a specific volunteer emergency medical incident.

Note: As part of the ECP, each office manager shall determine the exposure category for each employee in the office and maintain a list of the employees in each category.

4. Universal Precautions. A universal precaution is an approach for infection control where all human blood and body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for HBV, HCV, HIV, and other BBP. These precautions shall be observed to prevent contact with blood or OPIM. Under circumstances in which differentiation between body fluid types is difficult or impossible (such as at aircraft crash investigation sites), all body fluids shall be considered potentially infectious materials. Universal precautions include engineering, work practice controls, and PPE.

5. Engineering and Work Practice Controls. The use of engineering and work practice controls will eliminate or minimize employee exposure. When occupational exposure remains after establishing these controls, use PPE. Job aids for engineering and work practice controls are available in Appendix C, Job Aids for Engineering and Work Practice Controls.

a. Engineering Controls.

(1) Engineering controls consist of devices that reduce or eliminate exposure. For example, a permanent barrier between the employee and the exposure hazard, or biological 3-1 5/4/22 3900.71A sample shipping containers engineered to prevent leakage and release of contents are considered engineering controls.

(2) Engineering controls must be examined, maintained, or replaced on a regular schedule to ensure their effectiveness. This is usually the responsibility of the host facility (e.g., an air ambulance repair station) under inspection by FS employees.

(3) If an FS employee observes an engineering control that has not been properly inspected, maintained, or replaced at the host facility, the employee should include that information in a report to their supervisor to facilitate communication to future inspectors about the potential hazard.

b. Work Practice Controls.

(1) Work practices that may reduce or eliminate exposures include posting biohazard labels and placards in areas where BBP and OPIM may be present, daily and postflight disinfection of air ambulance cabins, frequent handwashing when working in such areas, and avoiding smoking, drinking, and eating in those areas.

(2) Handwashing facilities, or hand-sanitizing supplies, must be made available to employees. This is the responsibility of the host facility in accordance with 29 CFR part 1910, § 1910.1030(d)(2)(iii) and (d)(2)(iv). However, FS employees may conduct duties in domestic or foreign workplaces where handwashing facilities are not required or are not maintained. These issues must be reported to their supervisor and/or manager.

(3) FS employees must carry hand-sanitizing supplies to the field with them when conducting aircraft crash investigations. Hand-sanitizing supplies include alcohol gels, paper towels, clean cloths, and towelettes impregnated with antiseptic solutions and are provided in the Aviation Safety (AVS) Standardized Accident Investigation Safety Go-Kits.

(4) If an FS employee uses hand-sanitizing supplies in place of handwashing, the employee should wash their hands as soon as possible with soap and clean water. Handwashing should also occur as soon as possible after removing gloves or other PPE, as well as after having contact with blood or OPIM. Mucous membranes should be flushed with clean water after contact.

(5) FS employees shall not eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics or lip balm, or handle contact lenses in work areas where there is a reasonable likelihood of occupational exposure to BBP or OPIM.

(6) All procedures involving blood or OPIM shall be performed in such a manner as to minimize splashing, spraying, spattering, and generating/producing droplets of these substances.

For example, FS employees should execute tasks in a manner that prevents spreading blood, body tissue, or OPIM when retrieving samples, removing equipment, or gathering information at an aircraft crash site.

(7) When conducting inspections at air ambulance operations or repair stations, FS employees should be particularly careful of the aircraft cabin. While air carriers who perform air 3-2 5/4/22 3900.71A ambulance operations are responsible to ensure infection control training and aircraft decontamination procedures comply with Federal regulations, BBP and OPIM can be invisible or inaccessible to responsible medical personnel. Components under the medical floor can be contaminated with blood and OPIM and can persist in these areas for long periods without environmental exposure. Additionally, items such as night vision goggles (NVG), oxygen bottles, or stretchers which may be subject to inspection by FS employees could be touched by a gloved medical crewmember during the transport of a patient with an infectious disease and inadvertently never get decontaminated.

6. Sample Transport. Components/parts collected at aircraft crash investigation sites, which may be contaminated with blood or OPIM, shall be placed in a container that prevents leakage during collection, handling, processing, storage, transport, or shipping.

a. Container Requirements.

(1) The container for storage, transport, or shipping shall be labeled or color-coded according to specifications described in this chapter and closed prior to being stored, transported, or shipped.

(2) If outside contamination of the primary container occurs, the primary container shall be placed within a second container which prevents leakage during handling, processing, storage, transport, or shipping. The second container must be labeled or color-coded.

(3) If the component/part could puncture the primary container, the primary container shall be placed within a second container that is puncture-resistant, in addition to the above characteristics.

b. Contamination of Equipment. Equipment, which may become contaminated with blood or OPIM, shall be examined prior to inspecting or shipping and decontaminated as necessary, if feasible. The FS OSH BBPPM can provide decontamination guidance and supplies.

c. Informing Affected Employees. FS offices shall ensure that this information is conveyed to all affected employees prior to handling, servicing, or shipping so that appropriate precautions will be taken.

d. Equipment Label. A readily observable label in accordance with this BBP Program shall be attached to the equipment stating which portions remain contaminated.

e. Decontamination Chemicals. Glutaraldehyde is used for cold sterilization at some air ambulance/repair station sites. Glutaraldehyde is toxic and is a strong irritant to the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, throat, and lungs). Decontamination wipes impregnated with chlorine and quaternary ammonium solutions are available from major household cleaning product manufacturers.

7. PPE. When there is a risk of occupational exposure, FS managers and supervisors shall provide the necessary PPE at no cost to FS employees. The FS ECP (see Appendix A) provides additional PPE requirements.

3-3 5/4/22 3900.71A a. PPE Requirements.

(1) Category 1 employees on aircraft accident duty shall be issued an AVS Standardized Accident Investigation Safety Go-Kit, which includes appropriate PPE, such as disposable gloves, coveralls, eye protection, rubber protective boots, and P100 filtering facepiece respirators.

(2) Category 1 employees with air ambulance surveillance duties shall be issued a BBP belt pouch kit which includes disposable nitrile exam gloves, eye protection, and N95 filtering facepiece respirators.

(3) This PPE does not permit blood or OPIM to pass through to or reach the employee’s clothing, skin, eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes under normal conditions of use and for the duration of time when the PPE will be used.

b. Managers, Supervisors, and Office CDOSH POCs Must Ensure: (1) That FS employees use the appropriate PPE, and (2) That PPE is readily accessible to FS employees and in the appropriate sizes.

Note: Applicable FS employees shall maintain their PPE in accordance with their BBP training.

8. Housekeeping. FS managers, supervisors, office CDOSH POCs, and employees shall: a. Keep worksites in a clean and sanitary condition whenever possible.

b. Clean and decontaminate equipment and surfaces after contact with blood or OPIM.

c. Bring disposable trash bags with them to ensure that they do not leave potentially contaminated materials behind (unless biohazard disposal containers are available).

d. Place biohazard waste in closable containers that contain all contents and prevent fluid leaks, are labeled or color-coded to indicate biohazard waste, are closed prior to transporting from the site, and are placed in a secondary container if leakage or spillage may occur during transport.

e. Handle contaminated laundry as little as possible with a minimum of agitation, and dispose of as biohazard waste.

f. Inspect and decontaminate reusable containers that have a reasonable likelihood of becoming contaminated with blood or OPIM as soon as feasible upon visible contamination.

This may include plastic tubs used to transport aircraft crash investigation tools and supplies.

g. Not store potentially contaminated samples with sharp edges in a manner that requires employees to reach into the containers.

3-4 5/4/22 3900.71A 9. HBV Vaccinations, Post-Exposure Evaluations, and Followup.

a. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. Employees in Category 1 will be offered the HBV vaccination series as pre-exposure prophylaxis.

b. Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. Employees in Categories 1 and 2 will be offered the vaccinations recommended by the physician during the post-exposure followup within 72 hours after a BBP exposure incident has occurred. The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) does not cover post-exposure prophylaxis. See the BBP ECP in Appendix A for post-exposure procedures.

c. Declining/Accepting Vaccination. FAA Form 3900-21, AFS Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Vaccination Consent/Decline Form, must be completed by any employee who is offered the vaccine, either declining or accepting vaccination.

d. Pre-Exposure/Post-Exposure Procedures. See the FS ECP (Appendix A) and Order 3900.19 for detailed procedures to follow for pre-exposure and post-exposure activities.

e. Post-Exposure Evaluation and Followup. Following a report of exposure, the employee and their manager must follow the procedures in the FS ECP in Appendix A.

f. Documentation. The FS BBPPM will assist the manager in ensuring that physicians providing post-exposure evaluation and followup services receive the appropriate documentation.

g. Written Opinion After Post-Exposure Evaluation and Followup.

(1) The healthcare professional should ensure that the employee who was potentially exposed to BBP or OPIM is provided a copy of the evaluating healthcare professional’s written opinion within 15 business-days of the completion of the evaluation.

(2) The healthcare professional’s written opinion for post-exposure evaluation and followup shall be limited to the following information: (a) That the employee has been informed of the results of the evaluation; and (b) That the employee has been told about any medical conditions resulting from exposure to blood or OPIM which require further evaluation or treatment.

(3) All other findings or diagnoses shall remain confidential and shall not be included in the healthcare professional’s written report.

10. Hazard Communication.

a. Biohazard Labels. Labels that include the biohazard symbol shall be affixed to regulated waste containers, sample containers, and OPIM. Labels shall be fluorescent orange or orange-red 3-5 5/4/22 3900.71A with lettering in a contrasting color. Labels can be purchased from most safety supply houses or label companies.

b. Contaminated Equipment. Labels pertaining to contaminated equipment shall state which portion of the equipment is contaminated.

c. Waste Bags. Red plastic biohazard waste bags or red puncture-resistant containers may be substituted for labels.

d. Air Ambulance Sites. FS personnel conducting inspections at air ambulance sites should note whether biohazard signs have been posted in work areas where BBP and OPIM are located.

e. Biohazard Signs. Signs shall be fluorescent orange or orange-red with contrasting letters and numbers and include the name of the infectious agent, special requirements for entering the area, and the name and telephone number of the person responsible for the area.

11. Training. FS shall provide BBP training to occupationally exposed (Category 1) FS employees and applicable managers. Supervisors shall ensure employee participation in the training.

a. Training Frequency. For Category 1 employees, training must be provided at the time of initial assignment to tasks where occupational exposure may take place, and at least annually thereafter. Training must also be provided when changes such as modification of tasks or procedures, or the institution of new tasks or procedures, affect the employee’s occupational exposure. The additional training may be limited to addressing the new exposures created.

b. Train-the-Trainer Classes.

(1) The FS BBPPM and the FS OSH Office are the course owners and course mentors for the Aircraft Accident Investigation Safety (AAIS) and BBP train-the-trainer classes.

3-6 5/4/22 3900.71A (2) The BBPPM and OSH Office facilitate both AAIS and BBP train-the-trainer classes concurrently at the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI).

(3) The train-the-trainer classes are provided to ensure that FS BBP trainers are knowledgeable in the subject matter.

(4) The offices will be notified of the classes via their training coordinator in AFB-500.

(5) Each office with aircraft accident investigation responsibilities must have a minimum of two trainers in both AAIS and BBP.

c. Training Content.

(1) The initial FS BBP training for Category 1 employees, AVS Bloodborne Pathogen Program – User (Course FAA20000104), shall include the following: (a) The OSHA BBP Standards and an explanation of its contents; (b) The epidemiology and symptoms of bloodborne diseases and the modes of transmission of BBP; (c) Tasks with potential exposure; (d) Universal precautions and how to implement them; (e) An explanation of the FS ECP and how employees can obtain copies of it; (f) An explanation of BBP engineering controls, work practices, and PPE; (g) The use, selection, decontamination, and disposal of PPE; (h) A demonstration of proper donning and doffing of disposable coveralls and gloves; (i) A review of the efficacy, safety, method of administration, and benefits of the HBV vaccine, and a statement that it is available free of charge to FS employees covered under the BBP Program; (j) The procedures to follow if an exposure incident occurs, including the method of reporting the incident, post-exposure evaluation, and followup services; (k) Signs, labels, and color-coding; and (l) An interactive question and answer period with the instructor(s).

(2) Category 1 employees must take an annual refresher BBP training course, Annual Bloodborne Pathogen Training (Course FAA20000090).

3-7 5/4/22 3900.71A (3) Category 2 employees must take an initial BBP awareness training course once. This course is a SkillSoft™ course in the FAA electronic Learning Management System (eLMS), and the course number changes periodically.

(4) Category 2 employees who participate in the FAA Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) Program must receive refresher BBP training every 2 years.

d. Refresher Training. Annual training is required on the FS ECP, proper donning or doffing of PPE, and any site-specific procedures for all Category 1 employees.

12. Recordkeeping.

a. Medical Records. All occupational medical records must be retained in accordance with the FAA OccMed Program. FS employee occupational medical records shall be maintained for the duration of employment plus 30 years. The FS OSH Program office will evaluate the recordkeeping at least every 3 years.

b. Training Records. FS employee BBP training records shall be recorded in eLMS. These records must contain the employee’s name, job title, training dates, and training content and/or summary.

c. Sharps Injury Log. In addition to 29 CFR Part 1904, Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, managers and supervisors must record all reports of percutaneous injuries from contaminated sharps in ECOMP. The FS BBPPM must also record these injuries in the FS Sharps Injury Log in accordance with 29 CFR § 1910.1030.

13. Program Evaluation. The effectiveness of the FS BBP Program shall be evaluated at the individual office level and the FS OSH Program Office level annually. The individual office level evaluations should involve the local Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Compliance Committee (OSHECCOM).

a. Documentation. The findings of the program evaluation shall be documented and shall include recommendations for program corrections, modifications, and additions.

b. Submission. Offices shall send program evaluations annually in response to BBPPM annual requests.

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5/4/22 3900.71A Appendix A Appendix A. Flight Standards Service Exposure Control Plan 1.0 Introduction.

The major intent of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Standards (Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR) part 1910, § 1910.1030) is to prevent the transmission of bloodborne diseases within potentially exposed workplace occupations. Implementing the OSHA BBP requirements is expected to reduce and prevent employee exposure to the hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and other bloodborne diseases.

The BBP regulation requires that employers follow universal precautions, which means that all blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) must be treated as being infectious for HBV, HCV, HIV, and other BBP.

Each employer must determine the application of universal precautions by performing an employee exposure evaluation. If employee exposure is recognized, as defined by the BBP regulation, then the regulation mandates several requirements. One of the major requirements is the development of an exposure control plan (ECP), which mandates engineering controls, work practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), HBV vaccinations, and training. The BBP regulation also mandates practices and procedures for housekeeping, medical evaluations, hazard communication, and recordkeeping.

This FS ECP has been developed to eliminate or minimize employee exposure to BBP. This plan addresses all of the provisions of the OSHA’s BBP Standards (29 CFR § 1910.1030), and is implemented by the FS Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Office.

2.0 Policy Statement.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards Service (FS) is committed to providing a safe and healthful work environment for employees. In pursuit of this endeavor, the following FS ECP is provided to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure to BBP in accordance with 29 CFR § 1910.1030; Public Law (PL) 106-430, Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act; and FAA Order 3900.19, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Occupational Safety and Health Program. This ECP is a key document to assist FS in implementing and ensuring compliance with the standard; thereby protecting FAA employees.

Contractors are not covered under this ECP; they are covered by their individual employer’s ECP and/or clauses within FAA contracts. For example, FAA and the General Services Administration (GSA) contract out housekeeping functions and tasks; the employees under those contracts fall under those contracts and their employer’s exposure determinations, policies, and procedures.

3.0 Employee Exposure Determination.

FS employee job responsibilities fall into two BBP Program employee categories regarding occupational and voluntary incident contact with, or exposure to, blood or OPIM.

A-1 5/4/22 3900.71A Appendix A 3.1 Occupational Exposure (Category 1) Employees. Employees with reasonably anticipated occupational exposure because of their routine job responsibilities. These tasks involve exposure to human blood, body fluids, human tissue, and OPIM. These employees are offered the option of receiving the HBV vaccination at no charge.

3.2 Good Samaritan/Volunteer Lay Responder-Related Exposure (Category 2) Employees. Employees who conduct Good Samaritan acts during a specific volunteer emergency medical incident. Good Samaritan acts are acts that result in exposure to blood or OPIM from assisting a fellow employee (e.g., assisting a coworker with a nosebleed, giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillator (AED), or first aid). These employees are not included in/covered by OSHA’s BBP regulation. However, FS is including these employees in the FS ECP because these employees can still encounter blood or other bodily fluids by accident (e.g., while rendering aid during a coworker’s fall or nosebleed). These employees still need to understand about BBP exposure, universal precautions, and employee and agency actions in response to exposure. These employees will be offered a post-exposure medical evaluation and followup as appropriate and post-exposure prophylaxis as recommended by a physician through a reimbursement process detailed in paragraph 4.7 below.

3.3 Table A-1, FAA Employee Exposure Determinations. Table A-1 summarizes the BBP Program’s employee categories, employee job responsibilities, job classifications/employee groups, and whether an HBV vaccination would be offered.

The exposure determinations are without regard to the use of PPE.

Table A-1. FAA Employee Exposure Determinations BBP Program Job Responsibility Offered HBV Employee (includes but is not limited to) Vaccination Category Employees designated to respond to and/or conduct Yes aircraft accident investigations.

Category 1 Employees designated to inspect air ambulance aircraft Yes (fixed-wing and/or rotorcraft).

Employees who conduct Good Samaritan acts during a specific volunteer emergency medical incident. These acts may include, but are not limited to: Exposed employees will be offered post-exposure • Providing first aid involving blood and OPIM, Category 2 evaluation and followup • Providing CPR and/or using AED, or as appropriate.

• Cleaning up a BBP spill (though not officially assigned to do so).

A-2 5/4/22 3900.71A Appendix A 4.0 Methods of Implementation and Control.

4.1 Universal Precautions.

4.1.1 Universal precautions are an infection control method requiring employees to assume that all human blood and specified human body fluids are infectious for HBV, HCV, HIV, and other BBP and must be treated accordingly.

4.1.2 Employees will utilize universal precautions to prevent contact with blood or OPIM. Under circumstances in which differentiation between body fluid types is difficult or impossible, such as at aircraft crash investigation sites, all body fluids shall be considered potentially infectious materials.

4.1.3 Universal precautions supplement rather than replace work practice controls and engineering controls, such as handwashing, using PPE, and using HBV vaccination pre-exposure prophylaxis.

4.2 FS Work Practice Controls and ECP General Requirements.

4.2.1 Handwashing facilities (i.e., sinks, potable water, soap dispensers, and paper towels) at staffed FAA facilities are available to employees in every restroom.

4.2.2 Antiseptic wipes are to be provided for those Category 1 employees whose designated work activities are conducted at nonfixed sites or at multiple employee worksites which lack handwashing facilities (i.e., emergency scenes).

4.2.3 Employees who require the use of needles for personal medical reasons (such as insulin injections) are responsible for the storage, transportation, and proper disposal of their materials.

4.2.4 Spills of blood or OPIM on work surfaces and work areas will be cleaned promptly with an appropriate Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved disinfectant.

4.2.5 If a sharp (i.e., syringe or needle) is found in an FS office, secure the immediate location of the sharp and contact the manager. The manager will work with building management for proper handling and disposal of the sharp and cleanup of the location.

4.2.6 For BBP-related engineering and work practice controls, and universal precautions requirements, see Chapter 3, Bloodborne Pathogens Program Requirements, of this order.

4.2.7 FS employees will receive an explanation of the FS ECP during their initial BBP training session. It will also be reviewed in their annual refresher training.

4.2.8 The FS BBP Program Manager (BBPPM) will review and update the ECP annually to reflect new information as needed.

A-3 5/4/22 3900.71A Appendix A 4.3 Housekeeping.

4.3.1 If included in the lease language, the building owner or the owner’s building management is responsible for ensuring that areas of BBP spills are cleaned up, any found miscellaneous sharp hazards are properly handled and disposed of, and cleanup of the location occurs.

4.3.2 A BBP spill kit should be available at FS office locations, but employees are not expected to clean up bodily fluids. The BBP spill kit usually contains antiseptic wipes, antiseptic gel, paper towels, a pair of nitrile gloves, absorbent powder, a scoop, a small scraper, and a bag with a tie.

4.4 PPE.

4.4.1 PPE must be used if occupational exposure remains after instituting engineering and work practice controls, or if the controls are not feasible.

4.4.2 Front line supervisors/managers are responsible for ensuring appropriate PPE is accessible and used by their employees, and that the PPE is provided at no cost to the employees, in accordance with this order.

4.4.3 Employees must be trained in the use of the appropriate PPE for the employees’ specific job classifications and tasks/procedures they will perform. This training will be conducted in accordance with this order.

4.4.4 Additional training will be provided whenever necessary, such as if an employee takes a new position or if new duties are added to their current position.

4.4.5 Table A-2, BBP-Related PPE and Associated Tasks, lists the minimum PPE and equipment required for the FS BBP employee categories.

A-4 5/4/22 3900.71A Appendix A Table A-2. BBP-Related PPE and Associated Tasks BBP Employee BBP-Related BBP PPE Category Equipment Category 1 — Aircraft • Various sizes of vinyl/nitrile disposable gloves • Antiseptic wipes/ Accident Investigators • Safety glasses or goggles hand sanitizer • Plastic trash bags • P100 filtering facepiece respirator(s) • EPA-approved • Chemical-resistant disposable garments (necessary disinfectants/ for limiting chemicals (known and unknown) and infectious agents from passing through or reaching sterilants the employee’s work clothes, street clothes, and undergarments under normal conditions of use and for the duration of time which the PPE will be used) • Chemical-resistant rubber boots with toe and puncture protection Category 1 — Aviation • Various sizes of vinyl/nitrile gloves • Antiseptic wipes/ Safety Inspectors (ASI) • Safety glasses hand sanitizer Who Inspect Air • Plastic trash bags • N95 filtering facepiece respirator(s) Ambulance Aircraft • BBP-resistant disposable garments (necessary for • EPA-approved (Fixed-Wing and/or disinfectants/ limiting infectious agents from passing through or Rotorcraft) sterilants reaching the employee’s work clothes, street clothes, and undergarments under normal conditions of use and for the duration of time which the PPE will be used) Category 2 — Any • First aid kit that contains vinyl/nitrile gloves • FAA first aid kits FAA Employee Who • FAA PAD Program AED Kit that contains • Antiseptic wipes Conducts “Good latex/vinyl/nitrile gloves Samaritan” Acts During • Breathing barrier a Specific Volunteer Emergency Medical Incident 4.5 Pre-Exposure and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.

4.5.1 Employees in Category 1 will be offered the HBV vaccination series as pre-exposure prophylaxis.

4.5.2 Employees in Category 1 and 2 will be offered the post-exposure medical evaluation and followup as appropriate, and post-exposure prophylaxis as recommended by a physician, within 72 hours of the exposure incident.

4.5.3 FAA employees who are offered HBV vaccination, either pre-exposure prophylactically or after a documented exposure, may choose not to receive the vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that employees receive the HBV vaccination for illness prevention.

However, if an employee chooses to decline the HBV vaccination, then the employee must sign an OSHA-required statement to this effect on FAA A-5 5/4/22 3900.71A Appendix A Form 3900-21, AFS Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Vaccination Consent/Decline Form.

4.5.4 An employee can decline the HBV vaccination when offered, and at a later time, while still covered under the FS BBP Program, decide they want the HBV vaccination and it will be provided. The employee must sign a statement updating their information that they consent to the vaccination on FAA Form 3900-21.

4.5.5 The FAA will coordinate all aspects of the HBV vaccination at no charge to employees. The HBV vaccination will be given during work hours by a physician or other licensed healthcare professional (PLHCP).

4.5.6 When employees are offered the HBV vaccination, the employees will review the CDC’s Hepatitis B General Information Fact Sheet and the CDC’s Hepatitis B Vaccine Information Statement (VIS), and receive a copy of FAA Form 3900-21.

4.5.7 Copies of the CDC’s Hepatitis B General Information Fact Sheet and Hepatitis B VIS are posted on the FS OSH website (https://my.faa.gov/org/lineb usiness/avs/offices/afx/work/osh.html). Employees will also be given a chance to ask a medical physician questions about the vaccination. The vaccination can be received at a local clinic, at the office of a personal doctor, or other licensed healthcare providers. The vaccination is administered in accordance with the current United States Public Health Service (USPHS)-recommended protocol at the time of the evaluations and procedures. Per the current USPHS/CDC-recommended protocol: 1. A routine booster is not recommended.

2. Serologic testing (i.e., antibody testing) for immunity is not necessary after routine vaccination of adults.

a. Testing after vaccination is recommended only for employees who are immunocompromised (e.g., persons undergoing chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, or persons who are HIV-infected).

b. Please Note that the immuno-status of an employee is medically confidential information. If any employee has a specific question about serologic testing for themselves, the employee should contact their healthcare provider.

4.5.8 Prior to any vaccination or if employees have medical questions about their HBV vaccination status or the USPHS/CDC-recommended protocol, employees will be given a chance to ask a healthcare professional questions.

A-6 5/4/22 3900.71A Appendix A 4.5.9 The HBV vaccination must be made available after receiving the required training and within 10 business-days of initial assignment to all employees who have occupational exposure. These requirements do not apply if: 1. The employee has previously received the complete HBV vaccination series, 2. Antibody testing has revealed that the employee is immune, or 3. The vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons.

4.5.10 The FAA will not pay for booster shots or titer tests based on the CDC recommendations but will pay for HBV vaccinations. If the CDC changes its recommendations, the FAA will revisit the procedures.

4.5.11 Employees have access to the OSHA BBP regulation on the OSHA website found at https://www.osha.gov, using regulation number § 1910.1030.

4.6 Post-Exposure Medical Evaluation and Followup.

4.6.1 Following a report of an exposure incident, the employee must see a PLHCP at a local urgent care clinic, personal physician, or other clinic where they will receive a confidential medical evaluation and initial treatment available to the employee within 24 hours. The evaluation and followup must be in accordance with 29 CFR § 1910.1030.

4.6.2 The BBPPM and the employee’s supervisor/manager will also ensure that the PLHCP evaluating an employee after an exposure incident receives the following: 1. A description of the employee’s job duties relevant to the exposure incident; 2. The route(s) of exposure; 3. The circumstances of exposure; 4. If possible, the results of the source individual’s blood test; and 5. The relevant employee medical records, including vaccination status.

4.6.3 The FAA employee must have the PLHCP provide a written opinion on the medical evaluation to the FAA Occupational Medical Surveillance and Recordkeeping (OccMed) Program within 15 business-days of completion of the evaluation, providing only the information that OSHA requires to be provided to the employer.

4.6.4 For HBV vaccinations, the PLHCP’s written opinion will be limited to whether the employee requires or has received the HBV vaccination.

A-7 5/4/22 3900.71A Appendix A 4.6.5 The PLHCP’s written opinion for post-exposure evaluation and followup will be limited to whether or not the employee has been informed of the results of the medical evaluation and any medical conditions which may require further evaluation and treatment.

4.6.6 All other diagnoses will remain confidential between the PLHCP and the employee, and not be included in the PLHCP’s written opinion to FAA.

4.6.7 FAA Form 3900-21 and any vaccination records will be maintained in Employee Medical Folders (EMF) in the FAA Employee Medical File System (EMFS), which is governed by the Privacy Act of 1974, System of Records Notice (SORN), OPM/GOVT–10, Employee Medical File System Records.

4.7 Procedures When a BBP Exposure Incident Occurs.

4.7.1 In the event of a known or probable BBP exposure incident, an employee shall inform their supervisor/manager. The supervisor/manager shall then immediately contact the office Collateral Duty OSH (CDOSH) point of contact (POC) and the BBPPM.

4.7.2 The supervisor/manager will ensure the employee receives the post-exposure evaluation, which may or may not include vaccinations as recommended by the physician, no later than 24 hours after the supervisor/manager contacts the BBPPM.

4.7.3 The employee must report the BBP exposure incident in the Employees’ Compensation Operations and Management Portal (ECOMP) in the same manner as other occupational injuries or illnesses.

4.7.4 Medical expenses incurred as a result of Good Samaritan acts are not likely to be covered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) process since it does not cover preventive care, including testing or vaccinations. OWCP will likely cover any costs relating to an illness contracted as a result of volunteer response to a workplace emergency.

4.7.5 To initiate the OWCP process, the affected employee’s Front Line Manager (FLM) should provide Form CA-1, Federal Employee’s Notice of Traumatic Injury and Claim for Continuation for Pay/Compensation, and Form CA-16, Authorization for Examination and/or Treatment, to take to the initial appointment. If a case is denied by the DOL, the medical practitioner’s office should submit the bill for payment to the employee’s private health insurance.

Any copays or other costs not covered by private insurance paid out by the employee will be considered for reimbursement through Optional Form 1164, Claim for Reimbursement for Expenditures on Official Business. This will be addressed on a case-by-case basis and, if approved, an accounting code will be provided for the Accounting Classification field on the form.

A-8 5/4/22 3900.71A Appendix A 4.7.6 The employee’s supervisor, with assistance from the BBPPM, will investigate, document, and evaluate the circumstance of the exposure incident including, but not limited to: 1. The date, time, and location of the incident; 2. What procedure/activity was performed when the incident occurred; 3. The engineering controls and work practices followed; 4. A description of the device being used (including type and brand); 5. The PPE or clothing that was used at the time of the exposure incident (gloves, eye shields, etc.); and 6. The employee’s training.

4.7.7 Upon completion of the BBP exposure investigation, the BBPPM will provide potential root causes and recommendations to prevent a recurrence of the BBP exposure to employees. These findings will be distributed for review during annual BBP refresher training.

4.8 Training. See Chapter 3 of this order for training requirements.

4.9 Recordkeeping.

4.9.1 Occupational Medical Records. Occupational medical records are maintained in EMFs in the FAA EMFS, which is maintained by the FAA OccMed Program.

The FAA OccMed Program maintains these records in accordance with the FAA Employee Medical File System (EMFS) Implementing Instructions; 29 CFR Part 1910, § 1910.1020, Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records; and Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations (5 CFR) Part 293 Subpart E, Employee Medical File System Records.

4.9.1.1 The original employee medical records such as HBV forms are sent via FedEx in secured envelopes labeled as “For Official Use Only” to the local OccMed records custodian.

4.9.1.2 Offices also have the option to send paperwork electronically via email as a backup. To protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII), the sender should encrypt the scanned PDF forms using SecureZIP with a password, and email the ZIP file to the OccMed documents custodian.

Immediately follow this email with another message containing the password to open that ZIP file. Please note that the password-protected ZIP file and password should never be sent in the same message.

4.9.2 Training Records. See Chapter 3 of this order for requirements on training records.

A-9

5/4/22 3900.71A Appendix B Appendix B. Definitions 1. Blood. Human blood, human blood components, and products made from human blood.

2. Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP). Pathogenic micro-organisms present in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, the hepatitis B virus (HBV), the hepatitis C virus (HCV), and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

3. Contaminated. The presence of, or the reasonably anticipated presence of, blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) on an item or surface.

4. Contaminated Laundry. Laundry which has been soiled with blood or OPIM, or laundry that may contain sharps contaminated with blood or OPIM.

5. Contaminated Sharps. Any contaminated object that can penetrate the skin including, but not limited to, needles, scalpels, broken glass, broken capillary tubes, and exposed ends of dental wires. For Flight Standards Service (FS) employees, this definition may include sharp-edged parts collected from aircraft crash sites and sharp edges of aircraft flooring removed from air ambulances.

6. Decontamination. The use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate, or destroy BBP on a surface or item to the point where they are no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles and the surface or item is rendered safe for handling, use, or disposal.

7. Engineering Controls. Controls that isolate or remove the BBP hazard from the workplace (e.g., sharps disposal containers, self-sheathing needles, or safer medical devices such as sharps with engineered sharps injury protections and needleless systems).

8. Exposure Incident. A specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin contact, or other piercing of mucous membranes or skin barrier contact with blood or OPIM that results from the performance of an employee’s duties.

9. Good Samaritan/Volunteer Lay Responder-Related Exposure (Category 2). This category applies to employees who conduct Good Samaritan acts during a specific volunteer emergency medical incident (such as providing emergency first aid to a coworker).

10. Handwashing Facilities. A facility providing an adequate supply of running potable water, soap, and single-use towels or air-drying machines.

11. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) HBV web page at https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HBV/index.htm.

12. Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Refer to the CDC’s HCV web page at https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/index.htm.

13. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Refer to the CDC’s HIV web page at https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatishiv.html.

B-1 5/4/22 3900.71A Appendix B 14. Isolette. An incubator for premature infants that provides controlled temperature and humidity and an oxygen supply.

15. Licensed Healthcare Professional. A person whose legally permitted scope of practice allows them to independently perform the activities required by Chapter 3, Paragraph 9, HBV Vaccinations, Post-Exposure Evaluations, and Followup; and Chapter 3, Paragraph 10, Hazard Communication.

16. Occupational Exposure (Category 1). This category applies to employees who are reasonably anticipated to have occupational exposure because of their job responsibilities (such as aircraft accident investigators and employees who inspect air ambulance aircraft).

17. Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM).

a. The following human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids.

b. Any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human (living or dead).

c. HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures, organ cultures, and HBV-, HCV-, or HIV-containing culture medium or other solutions; and blood, organs, or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HBV, HCV, or HIV.

18. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against a hazard. General work clothes (e.g., uniforms, pants, shirts, or blouses) not intended to function as protection against a hazard are not considered to be PPE.

19. Regulated Waste. A liquid or semiliquid blood or OPIM; contaminated items that would release blood or OPIM in a liquid or semiliquid state if compressed; items that are caked with dried blood or OPIM and are capable of releasing these materials during handling; contaminated sharps; and pathological and microbiological wastes containing blood or OPIM.

20. Source Individual. Any individual, living or dead, whose blood or OPIM may be a source of occupational exposure to the employee. Examples for FS employees include, but are not limited to: aircraft accident victims, ground victims, hospital and clinic transport patients, trauma victims, and human remains.

21. Sterilize. The use of a physical or chemical procedure to destroy all microbial life including highly resistant bacterial endospores.

22. Universal Precautions. An approach to infection control. According to the concept of universal precautions, all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for HBV, HCV, HIV, and other BBP.

23. Work Practice Controls. Controls that reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the manner in which a task is performed.

B-2

5/4/22 3900.71A Appendix C Appendix C. Job Aids for Engineering and Work Practice Controls Job Task: Aircraft Accident Investigations Engineering and Work Practice Controls: • Participate in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Occupational Medical Surveillance and Recordkeeping (OccMed) Program’s Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Vaccination Program if you are medically able to do so.

• Receive bloodborne pathogens (BBP) training before executing tasks where you may be exposed.

• Check with the site incident commander or Incident Command System (ICS) Safety Officer for a safety briefing before entering the crash site. Request information about any BBP or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) that may be present.

• Do not approach the aircraft until fires have been extinguished.

• Do not smoke, eat, drink, chew gum, use oral forms of tobacco, apply cosmetics, or insert contact lenses in the crash site area.

• Place aircraft parts that may be contaminated with blood or OPIM in containers that prevent spills or leaks; label the containers with proper biohazard labels; note which portions of the parts appear to be contaminated; and use infectious waste shipping containers, labels, and Shipper’s Declarations for Dangerous Goods if sending the parts to another location by air or ground transport services.

• Decontaminate any nondisposable supplies with 1:10 bleach solution (1 part household bleach to 9 parts water) before leaving the site.

• Double-bag all contaminated waste in biohazard waste bags.

• Bring an Aviation Safety (AVS) Standardized Accident Investigation Safety Go-Kit to the accident scene and utilize the contents in accordance with Aircraft Accident Investigation Safety (AAIS) and BBP training.

• Utilize the antiseptic/disinfecting wipes in the Go-Kit to disinfect your hands before leaving the site.

• Double-bag contaminated nondisposable laundry in biohazard waste bags, dispose of as regular waste, and order replacements.

• Report any potential exposures to BBP or OPIM immediately to your supervisor; keep records of what you were doing; and where, when, and how the exposure occurred.

• Participate in post-exposure evaluation and followup activities, if necessary, and follow the orders of the physicians who conduct the evaluation and recommend followup actions.

• Report unsafe conditions to your supervisor immediately and use the Unsatisfactory Condition Report (UCR) as needed.

• Recommend changes or improvements to engineering and work practice controls to your supervisor based on your experiences.

• Do not perform a task if you cannot do so safely. Wait until conditions improve or you have the right training and equipment to work safely.

C-1 5/4/22 3900.71A Appendix C Job Task: Air Ambulance Operator Inspections Engineering and Work Practice Controls: • Participate in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Occupational Medical Surveillance and Recordkeeping (OccMed) Program’s Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Vaccination Program if you are medically able to do so.

• Receive bloodborne pathogens (BBP) training before executing tasks where you may be exposed.

• Stay clear of aircraft and medical personnel while patients are on board or being loaded or unloaded.

• Check with the pilot in command (PIC) or medical crewmember for a safety briefing before entering the air ambulance site. Request information about any BBP or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) that may be present. Be considerate and do not interfere with current air ambulance operations.

• Ask the operator if the aircraft has been disinfected since the last air ambulance flight before approaching the aircraft. Find out what types of disinfectants were used, and if any residual hazards remain.

• Before entering the aircraft, put on appropriate exam gloves and do a visual scan of the cabin area. OPIMs could be invisible on cabin surfaces, but could still be infectious and transmitted if touched.

• Be alert for signs of blood or OPIM contamination in aircraft cabins and floors. Be especially alert for pooled blood and OPIM in the seat tracks or beneath the surficial flooring of air ambulance aircraft during maintenance operations.

• Be alert for signs of sharps such as syringes, scalpels, lancets, or intravenous (IV) connections that were not properly disposed of in sharps containers on board the aircraft.

Emergency flights are stressful and not all actions may have been performed properly in the course of attempting to keep a severely ill or injured patient alive during the flight. If loose sharps are found, do not touch them. Notify the operator immediately.

• Approach all medical equipment (e.g., stretchers, oxygen bottles, and isolettes) and appliances (e.g., night vision goggles (NVG), helmets, and aircraft flashlights) that are temporarily external to the aircraft as potentially contaminated. Exam gloves should be worn during the inspection of these items.

• Do not smoke, eat, drink, chew gum, use oral forms of tobacco, apply cosmetics, or insert contact lenses in the work area.

• Decontaminate any nondisposable supplies with 1:10 bleach solution (1 part household bleach to 9 parts water) before leaving the site.

• Use the operator’s biohazard waste area for disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE), if necessary. If not available, double-bag all contaminated waste in biohazard waste bags.

• Clean hands using antiseptic cleaners or alcohol-based hand sanitizers before leaving the site to prevent cross-contamination.

• Double-bag contaminated, nondisposable laundry in biohazard waste bags, dispose of as regular waste, and order replacements.

C-2 5/4/22 3900.71A Appendix C • Report any potential exposures to BBP or OPIM immediately to your supervisor; keep records of what you were doing; and where, when, and how the exposure occurred.

• Participate in post-exposure evaluation and followup activities if necessary, and follow the orders of the physicians who conduct the evaluation and recommend followup actions.

• Report unsafe conditions to your supervisor immediately and use the UCR as needed.

• Recommend changes or improvements to engineering and work practice controls to your supervisor based on your experiences.

• Do not perform a task if you cannot do so safely.

C-3

5/4/22 3900.71A Appendix D Appendix D. Acronyms Acronym Description Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Occupational Safety 29 CFR Part 1910 and Health Standards AAIS Aircraft Accident Investigation Safety AED Automated External Defibrillator AEG Aircraft Evaluation Group AVS Aviation Safety BBP Bloodborne Pathogens BBPPM Bloodborne Pathogens Program Manager CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Collateral Duty Occupational Safety and Health Point of Contact CDOSH POC Certificate Management Office CMO Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR Employees’ Compensation Operations and Management Porta l ECOMP Exposure Control Pl an ECP eLMS Electronic Learning Management System EMF Employee Medical Folder EMFS Employee Medical File System EPA Environmental Protection Agency FAA Federal Aviation Administration FLM Front Line Manager FS Flight Standards Service FSDO Flight Standards District Office GSA General Services Administration HBV Hepatitis B Virus HCV Hepatitis C Virus HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus ICS Incident Command System IFO International Field Office IV Intravenous OccMed Occupational Medical Surveillance and Recordkeeping Other Potentially Infectious Materials OPIM Occupational Safety and Health OSH D-1 5/4/22 3900.71A Appendix D Acronym Description Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Compliance OSHECCOM Committee OWCP Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs PAD Public Access Defibrillation PII Personally Identifiable Information PL Public Law PLHCP Physician or Other Licensed Healthcare Professional PPE Personal Protective Equipment SHA Safety Hazard Analysis SME Subject Matter Expert SMIS Safety Management Information System TSI Transportation Safety Institute Unsatisfactory Condition Report UCR United States Public Health Service USPHS Vaccine Information Statement VIS D-2 Directive Feedback Information Please submit any written comments or recommendation for improving this directive, or suggest new items or subjects to be added to it. Also, if you find an error, please tell us about it.

Subject: FAA Order 3900.71A, Flight Standards Service Bloodborne Pathogens Program To: Flight Standards Directive Management Officer, AFB-1 2 0 Directives Mailbox (9-AWA-AFB-1 2 0-Directives@faa.gov) (Please check all appropriate line items) An error (procedural or typographical) has been noted in paragraph __________ on page ____________ .

Recommend paragraph _ ___________ on page _________ be changed as follows: (attach separate sheet if necessary) In a future change to this order, please cover the following subject: (briefly describe what you want added) Other comments: I would like to discuss the above. Please contact me.

Submitted by: _________________________________ Date: _____________ Telephone Number: ___________________ Routing Symbol: _______________ FAA Form 1320-19 (10-98)