Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/859801
WEEKLY EDITION August 9, 2017 Question of the Week: What is the portable sanitation industry standard as it pertains to bloodborne pathogens? By Karleen Kos, PSAI Executive Director The literal meaning of the term "bloodborne pathogens" means just what it sounds like: bad cooties like bacteria and viruses carried in the blood that can make someone – like you or an employee of your company - sick. Some pathogens carried in blood or bodily fluid (like HIV) sound scary but aren't likely to be transmitted in portable restrooms because the virus simply doesn't live long enough outside the human body to infect someone new. Other pathogens are quite transmittable and can cause long - term, chronic health conditions. The various types of hepatitis generally fall into this category. So perhaps you're thinking, "We deal in domestic septage. Blood isn't our thing. I don't need to worry about rules for bloodborne pathogens." Oh, if only it were so simple. First of all, every employer knows it's jus t good business to take care of employees. Secondly, the rules of government agencies such as the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) don't stop with just blood. Take URGENT Action: Register for the PSAI Urgent Run Today! The PSAI Urgent Run/Walk will take place on Thursday, November 2, 2017 during the Nuts and Bolts Educational Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota The PSAI invites you to join us in our first annual Urgent Run/Walk as a celebration of World Toilet Day and World Portable Sanitation Day (WPSD)! The significance. In the November 23, 2016 edition of Association Insight , the PSAI announced that World Portable Sanitation Day would officially be moving from August 15 to November 19, collocating with the World Toilet Organization (WTO)'s World Toilet Day. World Toilet Day prom otes toilet options that help address the global sanitation crisis, which aligns wonderfully with the mission behind WPSD. To celebrate, the PSAI will host our first ever Urgent Run/Walk – a "fun run" held to raise funds and awareness for global sanitation needs. These races will take place across the globe in November, including ours in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Urgent Run/Walk is a great way for participants to have fun together, learn how to grow awareness in their communities, and raise funds for a w orthy, toilet - related charity. All proceeds from the event will be donated to this year's selected organization, Friends of Ngong Road (FoNR)/Karibu Loo. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 CONTINUED ON PAGE 4