Hepatitis B vaccine declination

The employer must offer the hepatitis B vaccine series to any employee with occupational exposure at no cost to the employee. OSHA requires employers to make the vaccine available and provides the declination language in 1910.1030 App A, and the requirements for offering and follow-up are in 1910.1030.

• The offer must be made when the employee is initially assigned to duties with occupational exposure and after any exposure incident.
• The vaccine must be provided at no charge to the employee.
• Employers should document the offer and the employee’s response (acceptance or declination).

You should use clear written declination language like the mandatory text in 1910.1030 App A, which states the employee was offered the vaccine at no charge, declines at this time, understands they remain at risk, and can receive the vaccine later at no charge if they continue to have occupational exposure.

• Using the Appendix A wording satisfies the standard’s intent because it is the OSHA-prescribed declination statement.
• Keep a signed copy of the signed declination in the employee’s medical or training records as required by 1910.1030.

Yes — the Appendix provides a written declination statement and employers should obtain a signed written declination from the employee. OSHA includes the written template in 1910.1030 App A, and the employer’s recordkeeping obligations are in 1910.1030.

• A signed written declination provides clear documentation that the employer offered the vaccine and the employee declined.
• Keep the signed declination with employee medical/exposure records in accordance with the recordkeeping provisions of the standard.

Yes — an employee who initially declines can later choose to receive the hepatitis B vaccination series at no cost if they continue to have occupational exposure. The declination language in 1910.1030 App A expressly states the employee may receive the vaccination series later at no charge, and the employer must make that available under 1910.1030.

• Employers should document a renewed offer and the employee’s decision if they later accept.
• If an exposure incident occurs, post-exposure evaluation and treatment procedures under 1910.1030 still apply regardless of prior declination.

No — an employee’s declination does not relieve the employer of other obligations under the Bloodborne Pathogens standard; the employer must still comply with training, exposure control, and post-exposure procedures. The declination form found in 1910.1030 App A addresses the vaccine offer only, while the overall duties are set out in 1910.1030.

• Employers must continue to implement the Exposure Control Plan, provide training, and offer post-exposure medical evaluation and treatment as required by the standard.
• Declination only documents an employee’s choice not to begin the vaccine series at that time.

Employers must offer the hepatitis B vaccine to all employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials as defined by the standard. The employer’s duty to offer the vaccine is part of the Bloodborne Pathogens standard in 1910.1030 and the related declination text is in 1910.1030 App A.

• “Occupational exposure” generally means reasonably anticipated contact with blood or OPIM as a result of performing job duties.
• Employers should identify job classifications and tasks with exposure risk in their Exposure Control Plan and offer the vaccine accordingly.

The employer must provide the hepatitis B vaccine and any required medical follow-up, including post-exposure evaluation, at no cost to the employee. This requirement is part of the Bloodborne Pathogens standard 1910.1030, and the declination language in 1910.1030 App A reflects the vaccine being offered "at no charge to myself."

• Costs that must be covered include the vaccine series and related post-exposure testing or treatment required by the standard.
• Employers should document the offer and any follow-up care provided.

Yes — the model declination statement explicitly tells the employee they may be at risk of acquiring hepatitis B and that declining leaves them at risk; using that language meets the standard’s intent. See the recommended declination wording in 1910.1030 App A and the main standard 1910.1030.

• The sample text reads in plain language that declining continues the employee’s risk of acquiring hepatitis B, which is a serious disease.
• Clear risk information helps employees make an informed decision and supports the employer’s compliance with the standard.

Signed declination forms should be kept with the employee’s medical records as required by the Bloodborne Pathogens standard and retained for the duration specified in 1910.1030. OSHA requires employers to maintain employee medical records related to occupational exposures, and Appendix A provides the declination wording to document refusal.

• Employers must follow the medical record retention provisions in 1910.1030, which include keeping medical records for the duration required by the standard.
• Keep declination forms accessible in case of future exposure incidents or audits.

If an employee cannot receive the vaccine for valid medical reasons, the employer should document the reason and obtain appropriate medical documentation while still following 1910.1030 requirements; Appendix A’s declination language applies to voluntary refusal without other stated medical reasons.

• For medical contraindications, employers often document a medical determination from a licensed healthcare provider and retain it in the employee’s medical record per 1910.1030.
• Consult the employer’s occupational health provider to ensure proper medical documentation and alternatives for the employee’s protection.

Yes — even if an employee previously declined the vaccine, they are still entitled to post-exposure evaluation and treatment after an occupational exposure as required by 1910.1030; the declination does not remove this right. The declination form in 1910.1030 App A notes that vaccination can still be accepted later.

• Employers must provide timely post-exposure medical evaluation, counseling, and any indicated prophylaxis regardless of previous declination.
• Document the exposure, offers of follow-up, and any medical actions taken in accordance with the standard.

OSHA requires employers to offer the hepatitis B vaccine to employees with occupational exposure but does not, in the Bloodborne Pathogens standard itself, expressly forbid employers from setting job-based vaccination requirements; however, any employment condition must also comply with other applicable laws and policies in addition to 1910.1030.

• The standard mandates offering the vaccine at no charge and documenting acceptance or declination per 1910.1030 App A.
• Employers considering mandatory vaccination should consult legal counsel to address discrimination, disability, and religious accommodation obligations under other federal or state laws.

The employer who has the responsibility for the temporary or contract worker’s occupational safety must offer the vaccine at no charge and document acceptance or declination as required by 1910.1030; the Appendix A wording can be used to record any declination.

• Determine which employer (host employer or staffing agency) is responsible for offering and providing the vaccine per the Exposure Control Plan and contractual arrangements.
• Ensure declinations are documented and maintained with medical records consistent with 1910.1030.

The declination language in 1910.1030 App A is the model wording OSHA provides; using this wording satisfies the standard’s communication purpose, but employers may use equivalent written documentation so long as it clearly records the offer and the employee’s informed refusal consistent with 1910.1030.

• Using OSHA’s exact Appendix A text reduces the risk of omitting required elements (offer at no charge, statement of risk, option to receive later).
• Any alternative declination form should include the same core elements to demonstrate compliance.

The standard does not prescribe a specific re-offer frequency in Appendix A, but employers must offer the vaccine whenever an employee who has occupational exposure has not been vaccinated and after any exposure incident, as required by 1910.1030.

• Re-offering after any change in job duties that creates new occupational exposure or after an exposure incident is required.
• Employers should document each offer and the employee’s response to show compliance with 1910.1030.

Yes — employers must ensure that information and offers required by the Bloodborne Pathogens standard are communicated effectively to employees, so declination language should be provided in a language and manner the employee understands consistent with the communication and training requirements in 1910.1030.

• If employees have limited English proficiency, provide the declination form and any explanation in their preferred language or through a qualified interpreter.
• Proper communication helps ensure the declination is truly informed and supports compliance documentation.

If an employee who previously declined later requests vaccination or has a medical change making vaccination appropriate, the employer must provide the hepatitis B vaccination series at no charge as required by 1910.1030; Appendix A acknowledges employees can accept vaccination later.

• Document the new offer and acceptance, schedule the vaccine series, and update medical records per the standard.
• Continue to follow post-exposure procedures if any occupational exposures occur in the interim.

Employers can use the official declination text provided by OSHA in the appendix to the Bloodborne Pathogens standard found in 1910.1030 App A, and the main standard body is available at 1910.1030.

• Copying OSHA’s Appendix A wording exactly ensures inclusion of the required statements about free availability, risk, and the option to receive vaccination later.
• Keep a signed copy of the declination in the employee’s records to demonstrate compliance.