The Purpose Of The Osha Bloodborne Pathogens Standard Is To

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

The primary purpose of OSHA is to enforce procedures that limit exposure to bloodborne pathogens for those employees who are at risk.

A federal agency that regulates occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other potentially infectious materials.

OSHA sets standards that are designed to reduce or eliminate the risk of exposure and are required by law to be followed. Also regulates safety for other fields of employment such as construction.

Pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include but are not limited to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Means of eliminating or minimizing exposure in the workplace. Structural or mechanical devices that are designed to isolate or remove bloodborne pathogen hazards from the workplace.

Hand washing facilities, eyewash stations, sharps containers, and biohazard signs.

Other Potentially Infectious Materials

Urine, Stool, Saliva or Sputum, Semen, Vaginal Secretions, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Synovial Fluid, Pleural Fluid, Amniotic Fluid, Pericardial Fluid, Any body fluid that is visible contaminated with blood, All body fluids that are difficult or impossible to differentiate.

Hepatitis B Virus Human (HBV) immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Approximately 12,000 health care workers contract Hepatitis B Virus each year and at least 220 per year will die. Hepatitis B Virus may be stable in dried blood and blood products at 25• for at least 7 days.

1 in 250 people in the United States are infected. Needlestick is the #1 source of occupationally acquired HIV in hospitals. HIV has been detected for 1-3 days after drying longer if frozen. HIV has been detected in tissue culture fluid at room temperature for up to 15 days.

OSHA requires Universal Precautions be observed to prevent contact with blood or Other Potentially Infectious Materials. All body fluids are to be considered potentially infectious materials.

Behaviors intended to make engineering controls effective such as using sharps containers, handwashing, waste removal, and universal precautions.

Must be done with soap and water immediately after visible contamination, before putting gloves on, after removing gloves, between each patient, after handling and collecting lab specimens and collection containers, before leaving the immediate work area such as lab or exam room, whenever gloves or Personal Protective Equipment is removed,before and after eating, drinking, applying make-up, changing or manipulating contact lenses, and using the restroom, before all other activities involving hand contact with mucous membranes, eyes, or breaks in the skin.

Direct and Indirect

Gloves, Gowns and Lab Coats, Face Shields and Masks, Eye Protection, Mouthpieces and Resuscitation Devices.

A list of all job classifications in which all or some employees in those classifications have occupational exposure. A list of all tasks and procedures in which occupational exposure occurs.

Each employee having and employee with occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens and Other Potentially Infectious Materials must establish a written exposure control plan designed to eliminate or minimize employee exposure. This plan must be reviewed annually.