Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens

Universal precautions training that complies with the OSHA standard on occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, as well as a fire training program, should be provided on an annual basis for all laboratory employees. Personnel are required to use proper personal protective devices when handling corrosive, flammable, biohazard, or carcinogenic substances. Eye wash sta-... 

This level of containment is appropriate when work is done with any human-derived blood, body fluids, or tissues where the presence of an infectious agent may be unknown. Personnel working with human-derived materials should refer to the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (OSHA) for specific, required precautions. 

Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Final Rule. Fed Reg 1991 56 64004-182. 

In 1991 OSHA published a regulation— Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens. OSHA has since revised this standard in 1999 and again in 2001. You will note from the title that while there are other infectious materials, the emphasis is on infectious agents in blood, aka bloodborne pathogens or BBPs. 

Department of Labor (1991) Occupational safety and health administration. Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens final rule, 29 CFR Part 1910. 1030. Fed Reg 56 64004-64182... 

Is there a current written exposure control plan for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens... 

Understanding and Complying with OSHA s Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Final Rule 4.258... 

Industries where workers are in contact with or handle blood and other potentially infectious materials will be affected by OSHA s Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Final Rule (29 CFR 1910.1030). Over 500,000 establishments and 5,000,000 workers are estimated... 

What Is the Final Rule On December 6,1991 OSHA published its final rule on occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. This standard marks the end of a four-year rule-making process and produced the first comprehensive and specific OSHA standard to deal with HBV, AIDS, (HIV), and other bloodborne pathogens. 

The Grey House safety security directory. Grey House Publishing, Millerton, NY, 2006. Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens OSHA 3127, 1996. 

Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens—Precautions For Emergency Responders OSHA 3106, 1998. 

Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens standard 29 CFR 1910.1030 OSHA standards requiring CPR training Permit-Required Confined Spaces,1910.146... 

All employees with occupational exposure must receive initial and annual training on the hazards associated with exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The training must also address the protective measures taken to minimize the risk of occupational exposure. Employers must conduct retraining... 

Emphasis on engineering controls is based on ways to better protect workers from contaminated needles or other sharp objects. Many safety medical devices are already available and effective in controlling these hazards, and wider use of such devices would reduce thousands of injuries each year. OSHA issued a final regulation (29 CFR 1910.1030) on occupational exposure to bloodbome pathogens in 1991, to protect nearly six million workers in healthcare and related occupations at risk of exposure to bloodborne diseases. Occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials that may contain bloodbome pathogens, or microorganisms that can cause bloodborne diseases, is of concern to those workers who are at risk for exposure. 

Multi-employer worksites should receive special attention, such as employment agencies, personnel services, home health services, independent contractors, and dentist and physicians in independent practice. The purpose of the regulation is to limit occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials, as any exposure can result in the transmission of bloodborne pathogens and can lead to disease or death. It covers all employees who can be reasonably anticipated, as the result of performing their job duties, to face contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials or body fluids. OSHA has not attempted to list all occupations where exposures could occur. Good Samaritan acts, such as assisting a co-worker with a nosebleed, would not be considered occupational exposure. 

The Bloodborne Pathogens standard only apphes to occupational exposure to blood. The employer would not be required to provide a sharps container to an employee using insulin syringes for personal therapeutic reasons, but should insist that the employee have his or her own sharps container and bring that with them to the workplace. 

In addition to the Civil Rights Act, other laws and regulations affect the management ofhuman resources. For instance, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop and enforce workplace standards designed to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths (OSHA, 2007). Of particular relevance to pharmacy are OSHA s ergonomic workplace standards and its rules for preventing exposure to hazardous chemicals and bloodborne pathogens. 

An employer must provide Hepatitis B vaccinations, or the declination form, to employees who will have occupational exposure. OSHA defines occupational exposure as reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee s duties. This would include employees whose written job descriptions or whose job duties will expose them to blood or other potentially infectious materials on the job. If all employees that will be trained on first aid and CPR are required (not volunteers) to be first responders, or will be responsible for cleaning up after an accident, then they would fall into a bloodborne pathogen (BBP) program. 

In accordance with the bloodborne pathogen standard, OSHA has responded to a number of incidents where healthcare workers have become infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) due to occupational exposures. The standard covers a relatively limited number of workers, most of them from the healthcare industries. 

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