Scribd
Upload
38 views

Sheet: Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Incidents

The document summarizes OSHA's requirements for employers regarding exposure incidents involving bloodborne pathogens. It outlines that employers must make immediate and confidential medical evaluation and follow-up available for workers exposed. It also details the requirements for reporting exposures, medical evaluation and follow-up procedures, written medical opinions, and testing and counseling requirements aimed at preventing the spread of infections.

Uploaded by

Dana Williams
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
38 views

Sheet: Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Incidents

The document summarizes OSHA's requirements for employers regarding exposure incidents involving bloodborne pathogens. It outlines that employers must make immediate and confidential medical evaluation and follow-up available for workers exposed. It also details the requirements for reporting exposures, medical evaluation and follow-up procedures, written medical opinions, and testing and counseling requirements aimed at preventing the spread of infections.

Uploaded by

Dana Williams
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

FactSheet

Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Incidents


OSHAs Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires employers to make immediate confidential medical evaluation and follow-up available for workers who have an exposure incident, such as a needlestick. An exposure incident is a specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), as defined in the standard that results from the performance of a workers duties. Reporting an Exposure Incident
Exposure incidents should be reported immediately to the employer since they can lead to infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or other bloodborne pathogens. When a worker reports an exposure incident right away, the report permits the employer to arrange for immediate medical evaluation of the worker. Early reporting is crucial for beginning immediate intervention to address possible infection of the worker and can also help the worker avoid spreading bloodborne infections to others. Furthermore, the employer is required to perform a timely evaluation of the circumstances surrounding the exposure incident to find ways of preventing such a situation from occurring again. Reporting is also important because part of the follow-up includes identifying the source individual, unless the employer can establish that identification is infeasible or prohibited by state or local law, and determining the sources HBV and HIV infectivity status. If the status of the source individual is not already known, the employer is required to test the sources blood as soon as feasible, provided the source individual consents. If the individual does not consent, the employer must establish that legally required consent cannot be obtained. If state or local law allows testing without the source individuals consent, the employer must test the individuals blood, if it is available. The results of these tests must be made available to the exposed worker and the worker must be informed of the laws and regulations about disclosing the sources identity and infectious status.

Medical Evaluation and Follow-up


When a worker experiences an exposure incident, the employer must make immediate confidential medical evaluation and follow-up available to the worker. This evaluation and follow-up must be: made available at no cost to the worker and at a reasonable time and place; performed by or under the supervision of a licensed physician or other licensed healthcare professional; and provided according to the recommendations of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) current at the time the procedures take place. In addition, laboratory tests must be conducted by an accredited laboratory and also must be at no cost to the worker. A worker who participates in post-exposure evaluation and follow-up may consent to have his or her blood drawn for determination of a baseline infection status, but has the option to withhold consent for HIV testing at that time. In this instance, the employer must ensure that the worker's blood sample is preserved for at least 90 days in case the worker changes his or her mind about HIV testing. Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, HBV, and HCV, when medically indicated, must be offered to the exposed worker according to the current recommendations of the U.S. Public Health Service. The post-exposure follow-up must include counseling the worker about the possible implications of the exposure and his or her infection status, including the results and interpretation of all tests and how to protect personal contacts. The follow-up must also include evaluation of reported illnesses that may be related to the exposure.

Written Opinion
The employer must obtain and provide the worker with a copy of the evaluating healthcare professionals written opinion within 15 days of completion of the evaluation. According to OSHAs standard, the written opinion should only include: whether hepatitis B vaccination was recommended for the exposed worker; whether or not the worker received the vaccination, and that the healthcare provider informed the worker of the results of the evaluation and any medical conditions resulting from exposure to blood or OPIM which require further evaluation or treatment. Any findings other than these are not to be included in the written report.

Additional Information
For more information, go to OSHAs 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).

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; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627. For assistance, contact us. We can help. Its confidential. Occupational Safety and Health Administration www.osha.gov 1-800-321-6742
DSG 1/2011

You might also like