GUIDELINES

BLEACH DISTRIBUTION

Policy Bulletin 181

OBJECTIVE

1. To promote public health and a safe and healthy environment through the provision of bleach kits to inmates, as a harm reduction measure against the transmission of HIV and other infectious diseases.

AUTHORITY

2. Commissioner's Directive 821 - Management of Infectious Diseases.

RESPONSIBILITIES

3. The Institutional Head will:

1. designate a WHMIS-trained staff member as the coordinator of bleach distribution for the institution; and
2. encourage participation of inmates and their assistance in the maintenance of bleach distribution.

4. The Institutional Head shall determine the best mechanism for the replacement of the one-ounce bottles of bleach at the operational unit, in consultation with the institutional coordinator.

5. The staff member designated by the Institutional Head as coordinator of bleach distribution shall be responsible for ensuring:

1. that inmates at reception are issued kits, are informed of the locations where bleach is available, and are instructed on the use of bleach as a harm reduction measure, as well as on first aid measures; and
2. that the mechanism for the replacement of bleach, as determined by the Institutional Head, is set in place and is maintained on an ongoing basis.

STRENGTH OF DISINFECTANT BLEACH

6. Full-strength (between 5.25% and 7%) household bleach shall be utilized as the disinfecting agent.

CONTENT OF BLEACH KITS

7. Each kit shall consist of:

1. one 1-ounce opaque plastic bottle of bleach, labelled with a notice reading "Bleach, Do Not Drink or Inject";
2. one 1-ounce empty opaque plastic bottle for water; and
3. instructions on the proper cleaning of syringes and needles.

8. The caps on the plastic bottles should be screw-type in order to prevent squirting of the contents.

DISTRIBUTION OF KITS

9. Every newly-admitted inmate shall be issued one bleach kit following reception into federal custody and shall be offered a kit on each occasion of reception upon transfer to another institution.

10. Exceptions to paragraph 9 are permitted:

1. where there is reason to believe that the inmate is not capable of understanding how to use bleach as a harm reduction tool;
2. where the inmate might cause injury to himself or herself or to another person through misuse; or
3. where the security requirements specific to an operational area or unit, such as a Special Handling Unit, preclude making available to inmates any corrosive substance such as bleach.

REPLACEMENT OF BLEACH

11. Subject to paragraph 10 c, there will be a minimum of three designated locations in each institution where inmates can refill an empty bottle with bleach or obtain a bottle of bleach. Appropriate locations are those affording the inmate privacy to the extent possible. In no instance shall an inmate be required to approach a staff member in order to obtain refills.

EDUCATION

12. Education in the use of bleach as a harm reduction tool (disinfectant) shall be provided to all inmates at reception, and opportunities to reinforce knowledge through other avenues such as special events and the inmate committee or other inmate groups shall be encouraged and supported.

13. The printed instructions contained in the bleach kits on the proper cleaning of syringes and needles are available, at a minimum, at the locations where inmates obtain refills of bleach, in the Health Centre, library, visits and correspondence area, and in all private family visiting units.

WHEN BLEACH IS CONSIDERED CONTRABAND

14. An inmate in possession of quantities of bleach in excess of the one-ounce bottle is considered to be in possession of contraband unless prior authorization has been obtained.

15. The possession of a one-ounce bottle of bleach is not in itself sufficient evidence of drug usage or other activity constituting a disciplinary offence.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

16. In consultation with the institutional Occupational Safety and Health Committee, the coordinator of bleach distribution shall determine if there is a requirement for the installation of eye-wash stations and shall review this matter periodically.

17. The Institutional Head shall be advised without delay of any incident involving injury to a person from bleach where medical attention has been provided. Such incident shall cause an accident report to be completed.

18. The Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) Material Data Sheet will be posted in each security post, in the Health Centre, and in the Post Instructions book.

19. A copy of Annex A to these Guidelines, as it applies to First-Aid Measures and Other Precautions for the Use of Bleach, will be posted in each living unit.

Director General, Health Services
Assistant Commissioner, Human Resource Management

Original signed by :
Françoise Bouchard, M.D., MPH, FRCP(c)
Simon Coakeley

Annex A

FIRST-AID MEASURES AND OTHER PRECAUTIONS FOR THE USE OF BLEACH

INGESTION

In the event that bleach has been ingested by a person, that person should drink warm water or milk and seek medical attention. Vomiting must not be induced.

INJECTION

In the event that bleach has been injected by a person, that person should be assessed by a health services professional and treated appropriately.

INHALATION

In the event that bleach has been inhaled by a person, that person should be removed to an area with fresh air and medical attention should be sought.

CONTACT WITH EYES

In the event that bleach has come into contact with a person's eyes, that person should flush his or her eyes thoroughly with lukewarm water for at least ten (10) minutes while holding the eyelids open and seek medical attention to ensure there are no burns to the eyes.

CONTACT WITH SKIN

Where bleach has come into contact with a person's skin, that person should thoroughly wash the affected area as well as any contaminated clothing.

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