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Safety and Health Topics |
| Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention |
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In
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Workers in many different occupations are at risk of
exposure to bloodborne pathogens. First aid team members, housekeeping
personnel in some settings, and nurses
are examples of workers who may be at risk of exposure. In 1991, OSHA issued the
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to protect workers from this risk.
In 2001, in response to the
Needlestick
Safety and Prevention Act, OSHA revised the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 1910.1030.
The revised standard clarifies the need for employers
to
select safer needle devices and to
involve employees in identifying and choosing these devices. The updated standard also requires employers to
maintain a log of injuries from contaminated
sharps.
This page is maintained as a product of the Alliance
between OSHA's Office of Occupational Health Nursing
(OOHN), OSHA's Office of Occupational Medicine (OOM), and the American
Biological Safety Association (ABSA). The
following commonly asked questions link to resources that provide useful safety
and health information about bloodborne pathogens and needlestick prevention.
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What
OSHA standards apply?
OSHA Standards | Preambles to OSHA Standards | OSHA Directives |
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How do I recognize bloodborne pathogens hazards?
Hazard Recognition | Healthcare eTools
| Fact Sheet |
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What are some examples of possible solutions for workplace hazards?
Control Programs | Safer Needle Devices | Decontamination |
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What should I do if I am exposed to
blood?
Post-Exposure Evaluation |
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Where can I find additional
assistance?
Related Safety and Health Topics | Training | Additional Resources |
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In Focus |
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What's New
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Fact Sheet: Securing Medical Catheters. OSHA Office of Occupational
Health Nursing (2004, August 2).
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Medical and Dental Offices: A Guide to Compliance with OSHA Standards. OSHA Publication
3187 (2003), 787 KB PDF,
2 pages. This brochure provides a glimpse of the most frequently found
hazards in medical and dental offices.
OSHA Alliances
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OSHA, American Biological Safety Association Form Alliance.
OSHA Trade News Release (2002, September 23). OSHA and the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA) have established an alliance to collaborate in
their common mission of protecting health and preventing illness and injury in the workplace from biological hazards.
News Releases
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
- Revised Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 1910.1030.
OSHA revisions to the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 1910.1030, took effect April 18, 2001.
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App A, Hepatitis B Vaccine Declination (Mandatory)
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Revision to OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard - Technical Background
and Summary. OSHA (2001, May 9), 3 pages. This summary includes
revised information regarding the identification, evaluation, and
selection of effective engineering controls, including safer medical
devices.
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Frequently Asked Questions. OSHA (2001, May 9), 4 pages. This
resource provides questions and answers to some commonly asked
questions regarding needlestick hazards and prevention.
- Occupational
Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens; Needlestick and Other Sharps Injuries -- Final Rule - 66:5317-5325. Federal Register (2001, January 18),
17 pages. OSHA is revising the Bloodborne Pathogens standard in
conformance with the requirements of the Needlestick Safety and
Prevention Act.
- Also available in a 450 KB PDF,
9 pages.
- Frequently Asked Questions: OSHA’s Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) and Smallpox
Vaccination Programs. OSHA (2003, March), 4 pages. These FAQs
provide
questions and answers for the safe administration of vaccines.
- Bloodborne Pathogens - An Overview of the Standard, 63 KB PDF,
1 page. OSHA Fact Sheet.
- Interpretation Letters Clarifying the Updated Standard
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