OSHA Healthcare Training
Anyone whose job in the healthcare industry involves exposure to blood pathogens and other contaminated bodily fluids should have OSHA healthcare training. As part of our OSHA 10 and 30 General Industry training courses, we cover bloodborne pathogens. Sign up now and start learning!
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
The threat of blood exposure is real. According to OSHA, some of the dangerous illnesses that can be caught from blood exposure include the very dangerous infections HIV and Hepatitis B and C. Others include Hepatitis A, Staph and Strep infections, Gastroenteritis-salmonella and Shigella, Pneumonia, Syphilis, TB, Malaria, Measles, Chicken Pox, Herpes, Urinary tract infections, and Blood infections.
Recognizing the danger from bloodborne contamination, OSHA developed a specific Bloodborne Pathogens standard. It can serve as a guideline to prevent injury or illness to those who may come into contact with blood as part of their job (occupational exposure).
Called standard 29 CFR 1910.1030, this set of rules “…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.”
OSHA's Rules for Working Near Blood in Healthcare Settings
OSHA lists three specific requirements for working near blood.
- As we just stated, but it's worth repeating, to prevent contact with blood and Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM), employees should practice the Universal Precautions. In other words, treat ALL human blood and most bodily fluids as if they were contaminated with HIV or other bloodborne diseases.
- When in a situation where it is difficult to tell the difference between types of body fluids, assume all bodily fluids present are potentially infectious.
- Use appropriate precautions when dealing with blood and other potentially infectious materials.
- Use gloves, masks, and gowns.
- Follow engineering and work practice controls to limit exposure.
Learn more about how you can protect yourself and others from bloodborne pathogens, as well as OSHA's standards for general industry in our OSHA-authorized 10 and 30 training courses.