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County adopts bloodborne-pathogen policy, agrees to offer hepatitis B vaccine to at‑risk staff
Summary
The court added a bloodborne-pathogen exposure control plan to the county policy manual as required by Texas Health and Safety Code chapter 81 and approved offering the hepatitis B vaccination to deputies, jailers, bailiffs and custodians; the court discussed cost and reimbursement logistics.
Gonzales County added a bloodborne-pathogen exposure control plan to its policy manual and agreed to offer the hepatitis B vaccine to staff who have routine exposure to blood or bodily fluids.
Misty from Human Resources introduced the policy, noting it covers protective equipment, hepatitis B vaccine procedures, laundry handling for contaminated clothing and post‑exposure actions as required under Chapter 81 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
“Once this gets approved, I can add it to the policy that we have now,” Misty said, describing the required employer obligations under state law.
On the vaccine question, HR staff reported two options: a hospital occupational‑health route (estimated $471 for the three-shot series plus about $50 for an antibody test per individual) or pharmacy administration with insurance filing and a county reimbursement of co‑payments. Staff said about a dozen deputies had expressed interest and that the county must offer the vaccine at no cost to employees who meet exposure criteria.
After discussion about insurance filing and part‑time employees who lack coverage, the court approved adding the policy and approved offering the hepatitis B vaccine to deputies, jailers, bailiffs and custodians; the court accepted staff’s recommended approach that employees may obtain the vaccine through their primary‑care provider and submit documentation to HR and the auditor for reimbursement of co‑payments, with the county to pay for uncovered employees or those without insurance.
Why it matters: State law requires employers who have employees with routine exposure to blood to adopt an exposure control plan and to offer hepatitis B vaccinations at no cost to covered employees. The court discussed county budgetary responsibilities and recordkeeping implications.
Ending: HR will finalize the policy language, distribute it to departments and implement the vaccine-offer process, including declination forms for employees who decline.
