Bloodborne pathogens requirements

Under 1915.1030 you must have a written Exposure Control Plan if employees can reasonably expect to contact blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).

• The plan must identify tasks with exposure risk, how you will use engineering and work-practice controls, personal protective equipment (PPE), training, hepatitis B vaccination, and procedures for post-exposure evaluation and follow-up (see 1915.1030).
• The standard for shipyard employment is identical to 1910.1030, so you can refer to that text for additional detail on plan elements.

Under 1915.1030 the employer is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the written Exposure Control Plan.

• The employer must update the plan annually to reflect technological changes that reduce exposure and when tasks or procedures change.
• Employers must make the plan available to employees and their representatives on request, as part of compliance and training efforts (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030, Universal Precautions mean treating all human blood and certain body fluids as if they are infectious and employers must apply these precautions whenever an exposure risk exists.

• Universal Precautions are a key concept used to decide when to use PPE and work practices to prevent exposure (blood, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, etc.).
• The standard requires employers to ensure employees follow Universal Precautions for any task that could reasonably involve contact with blood or OPIM (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 employers must use engineering controls (like sharps disposal containers, self-sheathing needles, and safer medical devices) where feasible to eliminate or minimize exposure.

• Examples include puncture-resistant sharps containers, needleless systems, and biological safety cabinets for applicable tasks.
• If engineering controls alone do not eliminate exposure, employers must supplement with appropriate work practices and PPE (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 employers must offer the hepatitis B vaccine at no cost to any employee who has occupational exposure to blood or OPIM, and it should be offered within 10 working days of initial assignment unless the employee has previously completed the vaccine series or antibody testing shows immunity.

• The vaccine must be provided through a licensed physician or healthcare professional and follow the recommended vaccination schedule and counseling requirements.
• Employers must document that they offered the vaccine and the employee’s decision to accept or decline (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 the employer must provide a confidential medical evaluation and follow-up at no cost to the employee promptly after an exposure incident.

• This includes documenting the route of exposure, identifying the source individual when feasible, testing the source's blood for HBV/HCV/HIV (with consent), baseline and follow-up blood tests for the exposed employee, and providing post-exposure prophylaxis when indicated.
• Employers must also provide counseling, evaluation of reported illnesses, and maintain medical records of the incident (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 employers must provide initial training at the time of assignment to tasks with occupational exposure and at least annually thereafter.

• Training must cover the standard’s requirements, epidemiology and symptoms of bloodborne diseases, modes of transmission, exposure control plan, engineering and work-practice controls, PPE use, post-exposure procedures, and recordkeeping.
• Training must be in language and at a literacy level employees understand and be provided at no cost (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 contaminated sharps must be immediately placed in closable, puncture-resistant, leakproof on sides and bottom, and properly labeled or color-coded containers.

• Sharps containers must be easily accessible at the point of use, maintained upright, replaced when they become three-quarters full, and handled in a way that avoids hand contact with contents.
• These requirements support reducing needlestick injuries and are detailed in the standard’s engineering and waste disposal sections (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 employers must provide appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns, face shields, masks, and eye protection when exposure to blood or OPIM is anticipated.

• PPE must be provided at no cost, be of appropriate type and size, be cleaned, laundered, repaired or replaced as needed, and removed and disposed of before leaving the work area.
• Employers must train employees on correct use, limitations, and disposal of PPE (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 employers must ensure that contaminated clothing and PPE are laundered or disposed of properly and that employees do not take contaminated items home unless the employer provides appropriate laundering.

• Contaminated laundry must be handled as little as possible, placed in labeled or color-coded bags at the location where it was used, and laundered by employers or a contracted service following applicable protocols.
• These handling and laundry rules are part of the employer’s obligations to prevent secondary exposures (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 regulated waste must be placed in labeled or color-coded containers that are closable, leakproof, and kept closed except during disposal or when contamination is likely to occur.

• Labels must include the biohazard symbol or the words "Biohazard" or be color-coded (e.g., red) so workers can identify hazards.
• Containers should be stored and transported in a manner that prevents leakage and accidental exposure until final disposal (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 an employee may decline the hepatitis B vaccine, but the employer must document the declination in writing and retain it in the employee’s medical records.

• If the employee later wants the vaccine, the employer must provide it at no cost and in a timely fashion.
• The documentation requirement helps ensure employers track who accepted or declined the vaccine (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 employers must keep medical and training records specific to bloodborne pathogen exposures and retain them for specified periods: medical records for the duration of employment plus 30 years, and training records for at least 3 years.

• Medical records include vaccination status, post-exposure follow-up, and test results; training records include dates, topics, and the trainer’s name.
• Employers must maintain confidentiality of these records and permit employee access as required by the standard (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 employers must perform a hazard assessment to identify tasks and procedures where occupational exposure to blood or OPIM can occur and list job classifications with exposure.

• The assessment should consider routine and non-routine tasks, housekeeping, maintenance, and emergency responses where contact with blood or OPIM is possible.
• The results must be included in the Exposure Control Plan and drive selection of controls and PPE (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 employers are responsible for ensuring that all employees, including contractors and temporary workers who have occupational exposure, are covered by an Exposure Control Plan and receive required training and vaccinations.

• Host employers and staffing agencies should coordinate to ensure temporary workers receive training, PPE, hepatitis B vaccination offers, and that medical follow-up is available.
• The standard requires that every worker with exposure is provided the same protections regardless of employment status (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 employers must evaluate and select engineering controls like safer medical devices (e.g., needleless systems, self-sheathing needles) to reduce exposure and train employees in their correct use.

• Selection should involve input from frontline workers who use the devices, and training must cover device operation, limitations, and safe handling.
• The requirement to use engineering controls where feasible encourages use of safer devices and training to ensure effective implementation (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 the employer must ensure the post-exposure medical evaluation includes the route of exposure, identification and documentation of the source individual when feasible, baseline testing of the exposed employee, and offering prophylaxis when medically indicated.

• The employer must provide the healthcare professional with relevant exposure details, the employee’s vaccination status, and arrange for confidential testing of the source when permitted.
• All follow-up, counseling, and test results must be documented and retained in the employee’s medical record (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 regulated waste containers must be labeled with the biohazard symbol or be color-coded so workers can recognize the hazard.

• Labels must be affixed to the container or the container must be color-coded (commonly red) and readable so that anyone handling the container knows its contents are potentially infectious.
• The labeling requirement helps prevent accidental exposure during handling, storage, and transport (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 employers must ensure that employees who perform first aid or emergency response that could involve blood or OPIM have proper training, PPE, and procedures to minimize exposure.

• Employers should provide gloves, face protection, and other PPE, and ensure responders know how to use engineering controls and how to dispose of contaminated materials safely.
• The Exposure Control Plan should address emergency procedures, including post-exposure evaluation and documentation (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 employers must provide and pay for the medical evaluation and follow-up related to occupational exposure incidents, including testing, counseling, and post-exposure prophylaxis when indicated.

• Medical evaluations must be provided at no cost to the employee and by a licensed healthcare professional.
• Documentation of the medical evaluation and follow-up must be kept in the employee’s confidential medical file (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 employers must use engineering controls to eliminate or minimize exposure where feasible and supplement them with work practice controls; employers cannot rely solely on work practices if effective engineering controls are available.

• The standard prioritizes engineering controls (e.g., sharps disposal systems, safer devices) and requires use of work-practice controls (e.g., no recapping needles) when necessary.
• Employers must document evaluation and reasons if an engineering control is not used and ensure worker protection through other means (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 employers must keep employee medical and vaccination records confidential, stored separately from personnel files, and limit access to authorized personnel only.

• Records must be maintained for the periods specified by the standard (medical records: duration of employment plus 30 years) and be available to the employee, their representative, and OSHA upon request.
• Employers must obtain the employee’s written consent before releasing records to anyone else, except as required or permitted by law (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 the standard applies to any shipyard employment task where employees have occupational exposure to blood or OPIM, including non-healthcare tasks like cleanup of injuries on a pier.

• If a task reasonably involves contact with blood or OPIM, the employer must include protections such as PPE, training, and post-exposure procedures in the Exposure Control Plan.
• The shipyard standard is identical to 1910.1030, so any task involving blood exposure is covered (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 acceptable work-practice controls include no recapping of needles by hand, proper hand hygiene, immediate cleanup of spills, and safe handling procedures for contaminated instruments.

• Employers must develop procedures that minimize splashes, sprays, and needlestick risks, and ensure employees follow them through training and supervision.
• Work-practice controls supplement engineering controls and are required components of the Exposure Control Plan (see 1915.1030).

Under 1915.1030 the hepatitis B vaccine and post-exposure medical evaluations must be provided by a licensed healthcare professional or a public health clinic designated by the employer.

• Employers must offer these services at no cost, during working hours, and ensure the healthcare professional has the necessary information to evaluate the exposure.
• Medical providers must follow the standard’s recommendations for testing, prophylaxis, and documentation (see 1915.1030).