Students are, strictly speaking, not covered by the Bloodborne Pathogens Rule except for the general sections of DILHR code pertaining to maintaining a "Safe Place" for scholarly work and study. However, it is the mission of the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee to provide students with adequate training so they may pursue their studies and eventually their careers safely and knowledgeably. Therefore, the University has identified those curricula which involve reasonably anticipated exposure of students to blood or other potentially infectious materials.

The use of blood must be evaluated in light of its risk to students and the fulfillment of each department's academic mission. When possible, alternatives to the use of blood and other potentially infectious materials must be adopted. Alternatives include the use of non-infectious animal blood, synthetic blood or computer simulations. (Note that "Screened Blood" from a blood bank is not 100% safe, must be handled using Standard / Universal Precautions, and requires the same training, precautions and protective equipment as unscreened blood). For curricula where alternatives are not feasible, the policies of this section (see below) must be followed.

Exposure Control Plan:   Departments which require students to work with blood or other potentially infectious materials must follow the UWM Bloodborne Pathogens exposure control plan (see Section III).

Training:   Departments which require students to work with blood or other potentially infections materials must provide at least the same level of training as outlined in the UWM Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan. For students in laboratory or clinical settings (on campus or off) advanced training must be provided by qualified professors and/or instructors.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):   Departments which require students to work with blood or other potentially infections materials must provide at least the same level of personal protective equipment as outlined in the UWM Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan. Students may be required to purchase the equipment and should be advised of this requirement well in advance. Moreover, students must be provided training in the proper use of personal protective equipment in advance of its use.

Hepatitis B Vaccination:   Departments which require students to work with blood or other potentially infections materials must make available to students a Hepatitis B vaccination as outlined in the UWM Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan. Students may be required to pay for the vaccination and should be advised of this requirement well in advance, as well as where they may obtain the vaccination (Norris Health Center) and what it will cost (check with Norris Health Center Business Office).

Post Exposure Follow Up:   Departments which require students to work with blood or other potentially infections materials must advise students that they should notify their health insurance carriers of their academic activities involving bloodborne pathogenic materials. Neither UWM departments nor the Norris Health Center can assure students that they will fund post-exposure follow up procedures should the student become exposed to bloodborne pathogens.

Management of Infectious Wastes and Contaminated Laundry:   Students who are not employees of UWM must not handle, treat or sewer dispose of infectious wastes, other than to immediately containerize infectious waste generated by their laboratory procedures. Students who are not employees are also prohibited from handling contaminated laundry for University-related purposes. Strict regulations govern the handling, treatment and disposal of infectious wastes, therefore, these activities are restricted to designated employees of the University.