Bloodborne Pathogens:

Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms present in blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS. Workers exposed to bloodborne pathogens are at risk for serious or life-threatening illnesses.

Requirements:

All of the requirements of OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard can be found in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations at 29 CFR 1910.1030. The standard’s requirements state what employers must do to protect workers who are occupationally exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), as defined in the standard. That is, the standard protects workers who can reasonably be anticipated to come into contact with blood or OPIM as a result of doing their job duties. In general, the standard requires employers to:

Topics Include:

  • Establish an exposure control plan.
  • Employers must update the plan annually.
  • Implement the use of universal precautions.
  • Identify and use engineering controls.
  • Identify and ensure the use of work practice controls.
  • Provide personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, gowns, eye protection, and masks.
  • Make available hepatitis B vaccinations to all workers with occupational exposure.
  • Make available post-exposure evaluation and follow-up to any occupationally exposed worker who experiences an exposure incident.
  • Use labels and signs to communicate hazards.
  • Provide information and training to workers.
  • Maintain worker medical and training records.
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