• Implement the use of universal precautions

(treating all human blood and OPIM as if known

to be infectious for bloodborne pathogens).

• Identify and use engineering controls. These

are devices that isolate or remove the bloodborne pathogens hazard from the workplace.

They include sharps disposal containers, selfsheathing needles, and safer medical devices,

such as sharps with engineered sharps-injury

protection and needleless systems.

• Identify and ensure the use of work practice

controls. These are practices that reduce the

possibility of exposure by changing the way a

task is performed, such as appropriate practices

for handling and disposing of contaminated

sharps, handling specimens, handling laundry,

and cleaning contaminated surfaces and items.

• Provide personal protective equipment (PPE),

such as gloves, gowns, eye protection, and

masks. Employers must clean, repair, and

replace this equipment as needed. Provision,

maintenance, repair and replacement are at no

cost to the worker.

• Make available hepatitis B vaccinations to all

workers with occupational exposure. This vaccination must be offered after the worker has

received the required bloodborne pathogens

training and within 10 days of initial assignment

to a job with occupational exposure.

• Make available post-exposure evaluation and

follow-up to any occupationally exposed worker who experiences an exposure incident. An

exposure incident is a specific eye, mouth,

other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or

parenteral contact with blood or OPIM. This

evaluation and follow-up must be at no cost to

the worker and includes documenting the

route(s) of exposure and the circumstances

Protections Provided by OSHA’s

Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

All of the requirements of OSHA’s Bloodborne

Pathogens standard can be found in Title 29 of the

Code of Federal Regulations at 29 CFR 1910.1030.

The standard’s requirements state what employers must do to protect workers who are occupationally exposed to blood or 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. 

In general, the standard requires employers to:

• Establish an exposure control plan. This is a

written plan to eliminate or minimize occupational exposures. The employer must prepare

an exposure determination that contains a list

of job classifications in which all workers have

occupational exposure and a list of job classifications in which some workers have occupational exposure, along with a list of the tasks

and procedures performed by those workers

that result in their exposure. 

• Employers must update the plan annually to

reflect changes in tasks, procedures, and positions that affect occupational exposure, and

also technological changes that eliminate or

reduce occupational exposure. In addition,

employers must annually document in the plan

that they have considered and begun using

appropriate, commercially-available effective

safer medical devices designed to eliminate or

minimize occupational exposure. Employers

must also document that they have solicited

input from frontline workers in identifying, evaluating, and selecting effective engineering and

work practice controls.

FactSheet

OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms present in blood that can

cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B

virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the

virus that causes AIDS. Workers exposed to bloodborne pathogens are at risk for

serious or life-threatening illnesses. 
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; the teletypewriter (TTY) number is (877) 889-5627.

under which the exposure incident occurred;

identifying and testing the source individual for

HBV and HIV infectivity, if the source individual

consents or the law does not require consent;

collecting and testing the exposed worker’s

blood, if the worker consents; offering postexposure prophylaxis; offering counseling; and

evaluating reported illnesses. The healthcare

professional will provide a limited written opinion to the employer and all diagnoses must

remain confidential.

• Use labels and signs to communicate hazards.

Warning labels must be affixed to containers 

of regulated waste; containers of contaminated

reusable sharps; refrigerators and freezers 

containing blood or OPIM; other containers

used to store, transport, or ship blood or OPIM;

contaminated equipment that is being shipped

or serviced; and bags or containers of contaminated laundry, except as provided in the

standard. Facilities may use red bags or red

containers instead of labels. In HIV and HBV

research laboratories and production facilities,

signs must be posted at all access doors when

OPIM or infected animals are present in the

work area or containment module.

• Provide information and training to workers.

Employers must ensure that their workers

receive regular training that covers all elements

of the standard including, but not limited to:

information on bloodborne pathogens and diseases, methods used to control occupational

exposure, hepatitis B vaccine, and medical evaluation and post-exposure follow-up procedures.

Employers must offer this training on initial

assignment, at least annually thereafter, and

when new or modified tasks or procedures

affect a worker’s occupational exposure. Also,

HIV and HBV laboratory and production facility

workers must receive specialized initial training,

in addition to the training provided to all workers with occupational exposure. Workers must

have the opportunity to ask the trainer questions. Also, training must be presented at an

educational level and in a language that workers understand. 

• Maintain worker medical and training records.

The employer also must maintain a sharps

injury log, unless it is exempt under Part 1904 --

Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries

and Illnesses, in Title 29 of the Code of Federal

Regulations.

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