All employees who have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens (BBP) receive annual training conducted by one of the following trainers or by completing an online, interactive module.

These training modules were created at Calvin University and are customized according to the department the employee works for. At the beginning of each module the employee is instructed to contact EH&S officers or their department representative with any questions regarding the online training.

BBP training is assigned by EHS through the Safecolleges training platform.  If you are in need of training please contact jambrose@calvin.edu.

Training Instructors

  • Heather Chapman, Environmental Health and Occupational Safety Officer. Heather graduated from Grand Valley State University with a B.S. degree in Occupational Health & Safety Management. She also has the following certifications: CSP, CHMM, CWCP

  • Jennifer Ambrose, Environmental Health and Occupational Safety Officer. Jennifer has a degree in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Technological University. She also has the following credentials: CHMM, CEAS.

  • Lori Keen, Biology Lab Manager. Lori has a degree in Biology from Calvin University. She has held her current position since 1985.

  • Barb Mustert, RN, Staff Nursing Health Services. Barb is a Registered Nurse licensed in Michigan and runs the Travel Health and Immunization clinic in Health Services at Calvin.

  • Mary Persenaire, RN, Nursing Lab/Media Coordinator. Mary is a Registered Nurse licensed in Michigan and is an experienced community health and hospital nurse.

Topics

All employees who have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens receive training on the epidemiology, symptoms, and transmission of bloodborne pathogen diseases. In addition, the training program covers, at a minimum, the following elements:

  • a copy and explanation of the standard;

  • an explanation of our ECP and how to obtain a copy;

  • an explanation of methods to recognize tasks and other activities that may involve exposure to blood and OPIM, including what constitutes an exposure incident;

  • an explanation of the use and limitations of engineering controls, work practices, and PPE;

  • an explanation of the types, uses, location, removal, handling, decontamination, and disposal of PPE;

  • an explanation of the basis for PPE selection;

  • information on the hepatitis B vaccine, including information of its efficacy, safety, method of administration, the benefits of being vaccinated, and that the vaccine will be offered free of charge;

  • information of the appropriate actions to take and persons to contact in an emergency involving blood or OPIM;

  • an explanation of the procedure to follow if an exposure incident occurs, including the method of reporting the incident and the medical follow-up that will be made available;

  • information of the post-exposure evaluation and follow-up that the employer is required to provide for the employee following and exposure incident;

  • an explanation of the signs and labels and/or color coding required by the standard and used at this facility; and

  • an opportunity for interactive questions and answers.

Training materials for this facility are available in the EH&S office.