Bloodborne Pathogens: Standard Precautions in the Workplace Training Course

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.