8/20/2013
Bloodborne Pathogens
Training
Mercer County Community College
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Workers exposed to bloodborne
pathogens are at risk for
serious or life-threatening
illnesses.
Pathogen
Pathogen = an organism that is able to
cause disease.
Johansson, p78
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OSHA
Occupational Safety & Health
Administration


www.osha.gov
1-800-321-6742
OSHA's Mission
“With the Occupational Safety and Health
Act of 1970, Congress created the
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) to assure safe and
healthful working conditions for working
men and women by setting and enforcing
standards and by providing training,
outreach, education and assistance.”
www.osha.gov
OSHA’s Organization
“OSHA is part of the United States
Department of Labor. The administrator for
OSHA is the Assistant Secretary of Labor
for Occupational Safety and Health.
OSHA's administrator answers to the
Secretary of Labor, who is a member of
the cabinet of the President of the United
States.”
www.osha.gov
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OSHA’s Coverage
“The OSH Act covers most private sector
employers and their workers, in addition to some
public sector employers and workers in the 50
states and certain territories and jurisdictions
under federal authority. Those jurisdictions
include the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam,
Northern Mariana Islands, Wake Island,
Johnston Island, and the Outer Continental Shelf
Lands as defined in the Outer Continental Shelf
Lands Act.”
www.osha.gov
Definition: Bloodborne
Pathogens
Bloodborne Pathogens means pathogenic
microorganisms that are present in human
blood and can cause disease in humans.
These pathogens include, but are not
limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Definition: OPIM
Other Potentially Infectious Materials
(OPIM) means the following human body
fluids: semen, vaginal secretions,
cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural
fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid,
amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures,
any body fluid that is visibly contaminated
with blood, and all body fluids in situations
where it is difficult or impossible to
differentiate between body fluids.
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Protections Provided by OSHA’s
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
The standard’s requirements state what
employers must do to protect workers who
are occupationally exposed to blood or
other potentially infectious materials
(OPIM).
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.
Employers are Required to:
Establish an exposure control plan.
Employers must update the plan
annually
Implement the use of universal
precautions
Identify and use engineering controls.
Identify and ensure the use of work
practice controls.
Employers are Required to:
Provide personal protective equipment
(PPE), such as gloves, gowns, eye
protection, and masks.
Make available hepatitis B vaccinations
to all workers with occupational
exposure.
Make available post-exposure
evaluation and follow-up to any
occupationally exposed worker who
experiences an exposure incident.
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Employers are Required to:
Use labels and signs to communicate
hazards.
Provide information and training to
workers.
Maintain worker medical and training
records.
Resources for you
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/
hazards/bbp/bbp.html
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepat
hogens/gen_guidance.html
Summary
1. What are the risks pertaining to
Hepatitis B?
2. What are the responsibilities of the
employer?
3. What are the responsibilities of the
employee?
4. Which organization is in place to keep
workers safe?
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References
www.osha.gov
Johansson, C., Chinworth, S.A., (2012),
Mobility in Context: Principles of Patient
Care Skills. F.A. Davis: Philadelphia, PA.
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