Staying Healthy: 8 Critical Points About Bloodborne Pathogen Training

In the United States, training in the matters of bloodborne pathogens and universal precautions falls under the regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Any type of bloodborne pathogen training program, whether it is meant for medical professionals, students, or other employees, needs to follow OSHA's guidelines. Read below to find out what you should expect from a certified bloodborne pathogen training course.

• In order to determine the risk for exposure in certain workplaces, employers have to compile a list of job qualifications where all employees are at risk for occupational exposure, a list of job qualifications where at least some of the employees are at risk for occupational exposure, and a list of procedures and tasks during which occupational exposure could occur.

• To reduce the risk of occupational exposure, employers have to make sure they use engineering and work practice controls. If after the implementation of these controls, there still is a risk of occupational exposure, employers have to provide staff members with protective equipment (gloves, masks) and hand washing stations or antiseptic hand cleansers. The cost of the protective equipment, as well as its maintenance (cleaning, disinfection, or disposal) is completely up to the employer. Clinical laboratories should be equipped with eye washing facilities as well.

• Immediately after their use, any contaminated sharps (needles, scalpels, or scissors) have to be placed in labeled or specifically colored containers. These containers have to be leak proof and puncture resistant and they must remain closed at all times during their transportation.

• Employees are forbidden from eating, smoking, drinking, handling contact lenses, or applying cosmetics in any areas of the workplace where occupational exposure is likely. It is also forbidden to store food or drinks in these areas.

• All regulated waste, thought of or known to be infected with a bloodborne pathogen, has to be either incinerated or decontaminated through any method that can effectively destroy or inactivate bloodborne pathogens.

• All areas with potentially infected material have to have warning sign posted on every access door. The warning sign should contain the international symbol for biohazard as well as a description of the infectious agent and possible recommendation for those who access the areas. Also, only authorized personnel that has been thoroughly trained and made aware of the risks should be permitted to access such areas.

• Any employee working with potentially infected materials should be vaccinated against Hepatitis B and other bloodborne pathogens after receiving proper training and before they start work. Also, the employer is required to offer employees free medical evaluations from time to time.

• Employees should receive adequate bloodborne pathogen training before they start performing tasks where there is a likeliness of occupational exposure and should retake the course once a year from that point on.

These are some of the most important guidelines offered by OSHA in regards to bloodborne pathogen training. You can find out more about these precautions as well as other procedures that need to be followed in any nationally-recognized bloodborne pathogen training course.