Sec. 10.10.11.12. Biological Agent Incident Response Plan

A. Requirement. A person required to report under this chapter shall:

(1) Develop, implement, and maintain a written biological agent incident response plan;

(2) Review the plan annually and revise the plan as necessary; and

(3) Submit a copy of the plan and any amendments to the plan to the:

(a) Emergency management director in the local jurisdiction where the biological agent is located; and

(b) BAR Program.

B. A person required to submit a biological agent incident response plan shall:

(1) Coordinate the biological agent incident response plan with any facility-wide plans;

(2) Keep the biological agent incident response plan current to reflect actual procedures and practices;

(3) Locate and maintain the biological agent incident response plan in the workplace;

(4) Make the biological agent incident response plan available to employees;

(5) Ensure that the biological agent incident response plan fully describes the response procedures for:

(a) The theft, loss, or release of a biological agent;

(b) Inventory discrepancies;

(c) Security breaches, including in computer information systems;

(d) Severe weather and other natural disasters;

(e) Workplace violence;

(f) Bomb threats;

(g) Suspicious packages;

(h) Emergencies such as:

(i) Fire;

(ii) Gas leaks;

(iii) Explosions; and

(iv) Power outages;

(i) Use of PPE;

(j) Use of onsite emergency equipment to protect both the facility and personnel;

(k) Employees to follow when performing:

(i) Rescue or medical duties;

(ii) Emergency medical treatment; and

(iii) First aid;

(l) Emergency evacuation, including:

(i) Type of evacuation;

(ii) Exit route assignments;

(iii) Safe distances; and

(iv) Places of refuge;

(m) Decontamination; and

(n) Site security and control;

(6) Ensure that the plan includes procedures that explain the:

(a) Risks and hazards associated with any biological agent on the premises; and

(b) Actions to contain the biological agent;

(7) Ensure that the plan contains the following information:

(a) The name and contact information for home, work, and emergencies, for the:

(i) Responsible official; and

(ii) Alternate responsible official;

(b) Where applicable, the name and contact information for:

(i) The building owner and manager;

(ii) Tenants; and

(iii) The official in charge of the building's physical security;

(c) Personnel roles and lines of authority and communication;

(d) Planning and coordination with local emergency responders; and

(e) A list of the PPE available and where the PPE is located in the facility;

(8) Conduct drills or exercises at least annually to test and evaluate the effectiveness of the plan;

(9) Notify the Emergency Management Director in the local jurisdiction where the biological agent is located and the BAR Program before a drill or exercise is conducted;

(10) Notify the Emergency Management Director and the health officer in the local jurisdiction where the biological agent is located and the BAR Program immediately following a biological agent incident involving exposure or potential exposure as set forth in COMAR 10.06.01.03A;

(11) Prepare a report of the results of a drill, exercise, or biological agent incident;

(12) Review a report of the results of a drill, exercise, or biological incident to determine if the plan requires revision; and

(13) Within 10 days after a drill, exercise, or biological agent incident, submit a copy of the report to the:

(a) Emergency management director in the local jurisdiction where the biological agent is located; and

(b) BAR Program.

C. Monitoring Compliance. When a person submits a biological agent incident response plan to the BAR Program, the BAR Program shall verify that the person submitting the plan has provided the information for planning and coordinating with local emergency responders to the Emergency Management Director in the local jurisdiction where the biological agent is located.