Face Masks

A disposable surgical mask is required to be worn by all staff members who have direct contact with others at a vaccination site and they will be provided on site. Staff without direct contact with patients/other staff members can wear a cloth face mask that meets necessary requirements. The mask must have at least 2 layers, be cleaned every day and changed if soiled, cover the nose/mouth/bottom of chin snuggly without requiring multiple adjusting and cannot have an exhalation valve. All individuals who enter the vaccination site must wear a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth. Vaccination site staff will provide a face covering to a person who does not have one.

Wearing a mask or cloth face covering does not eliminate the need to physically distance yourself from others and to wash your hands frequently.

More information is available at: https://covid19.lacounty.gov/face-coverings/ For those wearing a disposable face mask, the below procedures from the COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidance document apply:

• Disposable face masks (surgical masks) are intended for one-time use.
• Secure by bringing both top ties to the crown of the head and tie with a bow. Bottom ties should be secured at the nape of the neck. Do not crisscross ties.
• For ear loop masks, secure behind both ears. Do not leave hanging off one ear.
• Masks should cover the nose and mouth.
• Do not wear a wet or soiled mask.
• Do not touch the front of the mask.
• Properly dispose of the mask by touching only the ear loops or ties. For masks with ties, untie the bottom ties first, then the top ties.
• Wash hands after removing the mask.

Gloves

Disposable gloves are provided on site. Nitrile gloves should be worn by vaccinators and can also be worn by staff preparing vaccines. Other team members may use vinyl gloves. If there is a shortage, nitrile gloves should be reserved for vaccinators.

Procedures for doffing gloves:

• Wash hands before putting on gloves and after taking them off.
• Gloves act as a barrier against the skin from contaminants and droplets. Acceptable gloves may
  be made from different materials such as latex, vinyl, nitrile, etc.
• Do not touch your face when wearing gloves and do not reuse gloves
• Change gloves that are soiled or damaged/torn and after touching non-food items or your face.
• Remove gloves so that the outside of the glove (the dirty side), does not contact your bare hands.
  
  

During Vaccinating Hours

Plant Manager will provide refilled disinfecting spray bottles and replenish paper towels daily. Site-based custodial staff will service and disinfect all open restrooms as required by County protocol.

Nightly Service

Custodial staff will empty and reline trash cans and fully service restrooms. Electrostatic disinfecting will be conducted in all occupied spaces to include all high-touch items. 

General Cleaning

• Have a custodial staff person clean and disinfect tables, counters, carts, trays, doorknobs,
  phones, computer stations and other “high-touch” surfaces regularly throughout the day.
• Staff should not share items whenever possible. Ensure that pens, clipboards, devices and other
  available materials are designated per person.
• Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered product that cleans (removes germs)
  and disinfects (kills germs). Always follow the instructions on the labels of cleaning products and disinfectants.

Waste

California Health and Safety Code specifies that waste such as paper towels, paper products, articles containing non-fluid blood, and other medical solid waste products commonly found in the facilities of medical waste generators are not biohazardous waste.  PPE such as gloves are also not considered biohazardous waste and may be disposed in the regular trash.

If biohazardous waste is generated during the course of vaccination, staff shall follow the guidance in the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan and in accordance to their Bloodborne Pathogen training. Biohazardous waste is defined as:

• Liquid or semi‐liquid blood
• Items which release liquid blood, if compressed
• Items with caked blood capable of releasing materials during handling
  
  

Sharps Management
The “Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan” states the following:

• Sharps are defined as any device having acute rigid corners, edges, or protuberances capable of cutting or piercing, including but not limited to hypodermic needles, syringes, blades and needles with attached tubing, and broken glass items, such as pipettes and blood containers which are contaminated with other medical waste.
• Contaminated needles and other sharps shall not be bent, recapped, or removed from devices.
• Shearing or breaking of contaminated needles or other contaminated sharps is prohibited.
• Contaminated needles or other sharps must be discarded immediately or as soon as feasible in containers that are easily accessible to personnel and located as close as possible to the immediate area where sharps are used or anticipated to be found.
• When discarding contaminated sharps, place them in containers that are closeable, puncture-resistant, appropriately labeled and color coded, and leak-proof during handling, storage, and transport.

All sites shall provide proper storage, handling, labelling, and transport of biohazard/ regulated waste. Consolidation of biohazard wastes must be in a secured storage area that is located in a central, accessible location and denies access to unauthorized persons. The storage area shall be marked with warning signs on, or adjacent to the exterior of doors, gates, or lids. Sign shall read, “CAUTION BIOHAZARD WASTE STORAGE AREA. UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS KEEP OUT.”

Vaccination site supervisors shall remind all testing site team members that they are expected to adhere to social distancing (6 feet between people) at all times. Vaccination site supervisors shall provide/reiterate expectations and concerns regarding social distancing at each morning orientation.

Site and station set up must also comply with physical distancing requirements. Ensure 6 feet of separation between people (all vaccination site team members, as well as employees to be vaccinated) at all times.

Reminders:

• Provide visual cues wherever possible to support compliance with physical distancing for all individuals on site.
• Monitor site capacity to provide for employee physical distancing. This is especially important if there are wait lines.
• Employees shall not congregate in small groups or around the same area.
• Tasks shall be assigned so that staff can rotate through appropriate stations as their qualifications and training allow and ensure 6 foot distance at all times.