they show signs of cracking, peeling, tearing,

puncturing, or deteriorating. Non-latex gloves,

glove liners, powderless gloves or similar alternatives must be provided if workers are allergic to

the gloves normally provided.

Gloves are required for all phlebotomies outside

of volunteer blood donation centers. If an employer in a volunteer blood donation center judges

that routine gloving for all phlebotomies is not

necessary, then the employer is required to periodically re-evaluate this policy; make gloves available for workers who want to use them; and cannot discourage their use. In addition, employers

must ensure that workers in volunteer blood

donation centers use gloves (1) when they have

cuts, scratches or other breaks in their skin, (2)

while they are in training, or (3) when the worker

believes that hand contamination might occur. 

When splashes, sprays, splatters, or droplets of

blood or OPIM pose a hazard to the eyes, nose 

or mouth, then masks in conjunction with eye

protection (such as goggles or glasses with solid

side shields) or chin-length face shields must be

worn. Protection against exposure to the body is

provided by protective clothing, such as gowns,

aprons, lab coats, and similar garments. Surgical

caps or hoods, and shoe covers or boots are

needed when gross contamination is expected,

such as during orthopedic surgery or autopsies. 

In HIV and HBV research laboratories and production facilities, laboratory coats, gowns, smocks,

uniforms, or other appropriate protective clothing

must be used in work areas and animal rooms.

Also, protective clothing must not be worn outside

of the work area and must be decontaminated

before being laundered.

One way the employer can protect workers

against exposure to bloodborne pathogens, such

as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV),

and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the

virus that causes AIDS, is by providing and

ensuring they use personal protective equipment,

or PPE. Wearing appropriate PPE can significantly

reduce risk, since it acts as a barrier against

exposure. Employers are required to provide,

clean, repair, and replace this equipment as

needed, and at no cost to workers.

Selecting Personal Protective

Equipment

Personal protective equipment may include

gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, face shields or

masks, eye protection, pocket masks, and other

protective gear. The PPE selected must be appropriate for the task. This means the level and type

of protection must fit the expected exposure. For

example, gloves may be the only PPE needed for

a laboratory technician who is drawing blood.

However, a pathologist conducting an autopsy

would need much more protective clothing

because of the different types of exposure (e.g.,

splashes, sprays) and the increased amount of

blood and OPIM that are encountered. PPE must

be readily accessible to workers and available in

appropriate sizes.

If it can be reasonably expected that a worker

could have hand contact with blood, OPIM, or

contaminated surfaces or items, the employer

must ensure that the worker wears gloves. Singleuse gloves cannot be washed or decontaminated

for reuse. Utility gloves may be decontaminated

if their ability to provide an effective barrier is not

compromised. They should be replaced when

FactSheet

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Reduces Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires employers to

protect workers who are occupationally exposed to blood and other potentially

infectious materials (OPIM), as defined in the standard. That is, the standard protects

workers who can reasonably be anticipated to come into contact with blood or

OPIM as a result of doing their job duties.
This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or 

standards. It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of 

compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal

Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request.

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.

Exception to Use of Personal Protective

Equipment

A worker may choose, temporarily and briefly,

under rare and extraordinary circumstances, to

forego use of personal protective equipment. It

must be the worker’s professional judgment that

using the personal protective equipment would

prevent the delivery of health care or public safety

services or would pose an increased hazard to 

the safety of the worker or coworker. When such 

a situation occurs, the employer is required to

investigate and document the circumstances 

to determine if there is a way to avoid it from 

happening again in the future. Employers and

workers should be aware that this is not a blanket

exemption to the requirement to use PPE. OSHA

expects that this will be an extremely rare occurrence.

Decontaminating and Disposing of

Personal Protective Equipment

Employers must ensure that workers remove 

personal protective equipment before leaving the

work area. If a garment is penetrated by blood or

OPIM, it must be removed immediately or as soon

as feasible. Once PPE is removed, it must be

placed in an appropriately designated area or 

container for storage, washing, decontamination,

or disposal. In addition, employers must ensure

that workers wash their hands immediately or as

soon as feasible after removal of gloves or other

personal protective equipment.

Additional Information

For more information, go to OSHA’s Bloodborne

Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention Safety and

Health Topics web page at: https://www.osha.gov/

SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/index.html.

To file a complaint by phone, report an emergency,

or get OSHA advice, assistance, or products, contact your nearest OSHA office under the “U.S.

Department of Labor” listing in your phone book, or

call us toll-free at (800) 321-OSHA (6742). 

Occupational Safety

and Health Administration

www.osha.gov 1-800-321-6742

For assistance, contact us. We can help. It’s confidential.

DSG 1/2011