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Bloodborne Pathogens: Standard Precautions in the Workplace Training Course

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This training outlines OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens standard, helping you minimize exposure risks and protect your health.

10 minutes   |   SKU: AT171    |    Language(s): EN / ES / FR / Other    |    Produced 2025

SKU:

AT171

Language(s):

EN / ES / FR / Other

Updated:

2025

Length

10 minutes

Training Objectives

Identify bloodborne pathogens and how they are transmitted
Understand Standard Precautions in the workplace
Describe engineering and work practice controls to prevent exposure
Recognize employer responsibilities under OSHA's standard
Know the steps to take if an exposure incident occurs

Course Overview

Each year, countless workers face the hidden threat of bloodborne pathogens, infectious microorganisms in human blood that can lead to serious diseases. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that 5.6 million workers in various occupations are at risk of occupational exposure. This exposure isn't limited to healthcare settings; it can happen in any job where contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) is possible. Pathogens like Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) pose significant, sometimes life-threatening, health risks, including liver disease and AIDS.

To combat these dangers, OSHA established the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). This crucial regulation is designed to protect employees by requiring employers to implement safety measures when there's a potential for exposure. A cornerstone of this protection is understanding and applying Standard Precautions—an approach that treats all human blood and OPIM as if they are infectious, as many individuals carrying these pathogens may show no symptoms.

This course will guide you through the essential elements of this standard. You'll learn about "engineering controls," which are tools and equipment designed to minimize exposure, such as proper sharps disposal containers and self-sheathing needles. We'll also delve into "work practice controls"—specific procedures to reduce risk, like prohibiting eating or drinking in work areas where exposure may occur, proper handling of contaminated sharps, and diligent handwashing. Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and eye protection, is another vital layer of defense you'll explore.

Furthermore, this training clarifies your employer’s obligations. These include developing a written Exposure Control Plan accessible to all employees, offering the Hepatitis B vaccine free of charge to at-risk employees, providing necessary PPE, and ensuring annual training. Your employer must also maintain records and an updated Exposure Control Plan, incorporating input from non-managerial staff and reviewing new safety devices.

Finally, you will learn the critical actions to take if an exposure incident does occur: from immediate self-care like washing the affected area, to reporting the incident to your supervisor, and understanding the post-exposure evaluation and follow-up process your employer must provide. This training is essential for all employees who may encounter blood or OPIM in their job duties, empowering you to safeguard your health and work safely.

This program is available with Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bosnian, Creole, Croatian, French, Kurdish, Nepali, Spanish, Swahili, and Vietnamese closed captions.

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What is OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?


It's a federal regulation (29 CFR 1910.1030) designed to protect workers from the health risks of exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials by requiring employers to implement safety programs.


What are "Standard Precautions"?


Standard Precautions are an approach to infection control where all human blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) are treated as if they are infectious for bloodborne pathogens, regardless of the perceived status of the source individual.


What are some examples of engineering controls for bloodborne pathogens?


Engineering controls include items like sharps disposal containers, self-sheathing needles, safer medical devices (e.g., sharps with engineered injury protections or needleless systems), and biohazard waste bags.


What should I do if I'm exposed to blood or OPIM at work?


Immediately wash needlesticks and cuts with soap and water, flush splashes to the nose, mouth, or skin with water, and irrigate eyes with clean water or saline. Then, report the exposure to your supervisor immediately.


Is the Hepatitis B vaccine mandatory for employees at risk?


OSHA requires employers to offer the Hepatitis B vaccine free of charge to employees with occupational exposure within 10 days of initial assignment. Employees can decline, but the employer must still make it available if they later change their mind.


Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is subject to change and is for promotional and informational purposes only. Prior to acting on the information contained on this page, verify all information against the latest OSHA and applicable standards, regulations, and guidelines. Please also contact us with any questions you have related to this information. Under no circumstances will Atlantic Training, LLC be held responsible for direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental injuries or damages, or any damages or injuries whatsoever, whether resulting from contract, negligence, or other torts, related to the utilization of this information or the contents of this page. Atlantic Training retains the right to incorporate, remove, or adjust the contents on this page without prior notice.