OSHA defines blood as “human blood, human blood components, and products made from human blood.”
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Bloodborne Pathogens Safety
Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). OSHA requires employers to protect employees who are occupationally exposed to blood or Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM), such as unfixed human tissues and certain body fluids.
While most employers associate exposure to bloodborne pathogens with healthcare workers, there are many other occupations, including first-aid team members, housekeeping personnel in some industries, and various other workers who may be at risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard applies to all occupational exposures as defined in General Industry.
Although the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, 29 CFR 910.1030, does not apply directly to the construction industry and is not found in the construction regulations, OSHA does call upon construction sites to protect workers with respect to bloodborne pathogens.
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Bloodborne Pathogens Safety
Bloodborne Pathogens Safety
create Written Safety Plans
Easily create and store your written safety plans using pre-written templates for bloodborne pathogen exposure control, housekeeping, toxic and hazardous substances compliance, medical surveillance programs and more.
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Access classroom video or PowerPoint training as well as self-paced online training programs regarding bloodborne pathogens safety and awareness.
review Regulatory information
Get the bloodborne pathogens regulatory info you need with J. J. Keller ezExplanations™ summaries of key topics, federal and state regulations & laws, rulemaking documents, court case rulings, and government guidance documents - all in one easy to find location.
Conduct Safety Audits
Prepare and conduct safety program audits for bloodborne pathogens, medical & first aid, and more.
Ask Compliance questions to industry experts
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Bloodborne Pathogens FAQs
Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) as amended pursuant to the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act of 2000, prescribes safeguards to protect workers against the health hazards caused by bloodborne pathogens. Its requirements address items such as exposure control plans, universal precautions, engineering and work practice controls, personal protective equipment, housekeeping, laboratories, hepatitis B vaccination, post-exposure follow-up, hazard communication and training, and recordkeeping. The standard places requirements on employers whose workers can be reasonably anticipated to contact blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), such as unfixed human tissues and certain body fluids.
All employees with occupational exposure must receive initial and annual training. In addition, training must be provided when changes (e.g., modified/new tasks or procedures) affect a worker’s occupational exposure. Part-time and temporary employees with occupational exposure are covered and are also to be trained on company time.
The person conducting the training is required to be knowledgeable in the subject matter covered by the elements in the training program and be familiar with how the course topics apply to the workplace that the training will address. The trainer must demonstrate expertise in the area of occupational hazards of bloodborne pathogens. The trainer must also provide trainees an opportunity for interactive questions and answers with the trainer conducting the training session.
