Is your business compliant with OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?
If you operate a business with employees that are exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), your business is subject to OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (BPS) under the Code of Federal Regulations. In spite of its attempt to simplify these requirements on its online fact sheet, OSHA imposes a minefield of regulations for small to midsize businesses to navigate. This post provides a brief overview of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and what it means to your business.
Have an Updated Plan
All good businesses have a plan right? Well, OSHA adds to your plans by requiring an “exposure control plan.” 29 C.F.R. 1910.1030 (c)(1). Under this plan, employers must create a catalogue that classifies the employee positions in the company by the level of blood and OPIM exposure. 29 C.F.R. 1910.1030 (c)(2)(i)(A). Also, this plan must detail the tasks and procedures performed by each classification of employee that causes their exposure. 29 C.F.R. 1910.1030 (c)(2)(i)(C).
The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard not only requires the employer to have an exposure control plan but also requires that it be updated annually “to reflect changes in tasks, procedures, and positions that affect occupational exposure, and also technological changes that eliminate or reduce occupational exposure.” OSHA, OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, OSHA Fact Sheet.
In order to make these updates to the satisfaction of OSHA, the employer must also document in their plan that they both considered and begun using safer medical devices to minimize occupational exposure and engage with their employees “in identifying, evaluating, and selecting effective engineering and work practice controls.” OSHA, OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, OSHA Fact Sheet, And we’re just getting started.
Don’t Discriminate
It is imperative under the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard that the precautions used to prevent an exposure incident are universal. 29 C.F.R. 1910.1030 (b). As OSHA explains, this means “treating all human blood and OPIM as if known to be infectious for bloodborne pathogens.” OSHA, OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, OSHA Fact Sheet.
Be Well Stocked With the Right Equipment
The Bloodborne Pathogen Standard requires the examination, maintenance, and routine replacement of “engineering controls.” 29 C.F.R. 1910.1030 (d)(2)(ii). What are engineering controls you ask? They are “controls . . . that isolate or remove the bloodborne pathogens hazard from the workplace” such as sharps disposal cleaners and self-sheathing needles among others. 29 C.F.R. 1910.1030 (b). In other words, take the garbage out on a regular basis. Employers must also provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPEs) for employees with occupational exposure such as “gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, face shields or masks and eye protection, and mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, pocket masks, or other ventilation devices.” 29 C.F.R. 1910.1030 (d)(3)(i). These PPEs must be provided by the employer at no cost to its employees. Id.
Take Preventative and Remedial Measures
Hepatitis B vaccinations must be made available to all employees with occupational exposure after they have received training and within 10 working days of their initial assignment. 29 C.F.R. 1910.1030 (f)(2)(i). Should there be an exposure incident, you must “make available post-exposure evaluation and follow-up to any occupationally exposed worker who experiences an exposure incident.” OSHA, OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, OSHA Fact Sheet. The procedures the employer must follow after an exposure incident can become complicated with consent and health-related confidentiality issues regarding investigations of the source individual and the employee.
The requirements surrounding warning labels and signs communicating hazards are lengthy enough to warrant their own blog post. The main takeaway from the BPS requirements for labels and signs is this: Anything that comes into contact in any way with blood or OPIM must have a label or sign that warns against the dangers of exposure. As the Code of Federal Regulations states, warning labels must be affixed to “containers of regulated waste, refrigerators and freezers containing blood or other potentially infectious material; and other containers used to store, transport or ship blood or other potentially infectious materials. 29 C.F. R. 1910.1030 (g)(1)(i). There are also specific regulations relating to warning signs for all entry ways in HIV and HBV research laboratories and production facilities. See 29 C.F.R. 1910.1030 (g)(1)(ii).
This post only scratches the surface of OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. If you run a business that exposes its employees to blood and other potentially infectious materials, you must comply with these regulations under federal law. Operating a healthcare facility is no simple task even before considering regulations such as the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Protect your business and ensure you are complying with these detailed requirements.
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