Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure, - Meningitis Bacteria - A Fatality

Dec 08, 2014

By Lee Kibeiks, BASc, Safety and Compliance Consultant

A 25 year-old researcher died in April last year after being exposed to meningitis-causing bacteria (Neisseria meningitides), a bloodborne pathogen. The Research Associate, employed by San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center 6 months earlier, was performing tasks that included inoculating live bacteria outside of a Biosafety Cabinet (BSC).

It was reported that the victim, Richard Din, left for work on a Friday evening. He began experiencing flu-like symptoms and a rash developed over his body. He requested to be taken to the hospital that evening and lost consciousness along the way. He subsequently died on Saturday, 17 hours after becoming ill. As a precaution, all persons that had contact with Mr. Din, such as family members, and treating medical staff (approximately 60 persons) were treated with antibiotics.

OSHA investigated the fatality and recently published their findings in a news release dated Feb 20, 2013.

The employer was issued three serious violations that revolve around a failure to protect employees from exposure to pathogenic/infectious materials. Specifically, the violations involved failure to perform work using viable (or live) bacteria inside an approved enclosure (such as a BSC), failure to provide training on the signs and symptoms of illness that could occur from exposure to the bacteria, and failure to provide relevant vaccinations.

Any laboratory work that uses infectious materials should be done inside of an enclosure (such as a BSC). In the case of this fatality, the bacteria presented an inhalation risk that could have been prevented by using the correct engineering controls. If Mr. Din had been sufficiently trained to recognize early signs/symptoms of exposure he may have been able to seek medical attention earlier and inform the treating staff of his potential infectious state. This could potentially have saved his life and decreased the risk of exposing other persons.

What do YOU need to know at YOUR Facility?

Healthcare professionals and laboratory workers are not the only persons who may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens!!! Several jobs may expose employees to bloodborne pathogens. These jobs may include, but by no means are limited to, caretakers, custodians, landscaping personnel such as buildings and grounds, first aid responders and waste handlers.

OSHA enforces legislation that deals with infectious materials for general industry. The Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) specifies what employers must do to protect their employees who may be exposed to blood or other potentially infected materials (OPIM) as a part of their working duties.

The standard requires employers to develop a written Exposure Control Plan where employees are occupationally exposed to bloodborne pathogens. The plan must detail who is potentially exposed to blood or OPIM, the tasks that these employees are doing, and controls that will eliminate or minimize these exposures. The plan must be updated annually.

Employers are also required to detail suitable risk controls such as the use of universal precautions, engineering controls (such as sharps disposal containers or BSC’s), work practices to reduce exposure (such as correct sanitization and waste handling procedures) and use of correct PPE. Hepatitis B vaccinations should also be offered to employees as required. Further to this, procedures must also be in place for post-exposure evaluation and follow-up.

Suitable information must be provided for potentially exposed employees. This includes the use of acceptable signs and labels and training for employees about what bloodborne pathogens are, how they can be exposed, methods to control exposure, universal precautions, hepatitis B vaccinations, post-exposure procedures, privacy and record keeping protocols. The training must also be provided annually (at least) and whenever work practices or equipment change. There are further requirements placed on laboratories that work with HIV and HBV (hepatitis B virus).

As can be seen from this unfortunate fatality, employees can be exposed to potentially deadly illnesses from bloodborne pathogens. It is vital for employers to protect their employees from exposure to potentially infectious substances by the development of exposure control plans to identify who is at risk, and to implement suitable controls to eliminate or reduce exposure.

OSHA’s website has information that can help employers to find out more about bloodborne pathogens and their duties towards their employees. At HazCommpliance, we can also assist you in hazard identification as well as the development of an Exposure Control Plan and Employee Training. Contact us for more information.

For more information on safety training or what trainings HazCommpliance can offer your organization please email us at