Bloodborne Pathogens Program & Resources
- Overview
- Regulations / Directives / Training
- Resources
- Bloodbourne Pathogen Job Postings
- Return to Compliance Program Index
Overview
OSHA estimates that 5.6 million workers in the health care industry and related occupations are at risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and others. All occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) place workers at risk for infection with bloodborne pathogens. OSHA defines blood to mean human blood, human blood components, and products made from human blood. Other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) means: (1) The following human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids; (2) Any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human (living or dead); and (3) HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures, organ cultures, and HIV- or HBV-containing culture medium or other solutions; and blood, organs, or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV. The following references listed in the next section aid in recognizing workplace hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens.
Regulations / Directives
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Bloodborne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030)
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OSHA Hospital e-tool (Healthcare Wide Hazards Module)
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GENERAL RESOURCES
- Hospital. OSHA eTool. Offers a graphical menu to identify hazards and controls found in the Hospital and Healthcare Industry.
- Bloodborne Infectious Diseases: HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B Virus, and Hepatitis C Virus. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Safety and Health Topic.
- National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Resources