Bloodborne Pathogen Safety
The Bloodborne Pathogen Standard issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is designed to protect the more than 5 million workers in the United States at risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the hepatitis B virus, and the hepatitis C virus. Though the chances of contracting a disease transmitted by blood are relatively low, they are real. Transmission of these infections is preventable. Working together, employers and employees can prevent becoming infected by these diseases in the workplace. All employees who may perform activities where occupational exposure is possible are covered by these regulations. Occupational exposure means skin, eye, mucous membrane or non-intact skin (e.g., needle stick, cuts, abrasions) contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) that may be reasonably anticipated while on the job. Employees whose duties place them "at risk," as defined above, are required to receive training.
The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard is intended to protect workers from all known and as yet, unknown diseases transmitted by blood. The viruses of greatest concern at present, however, are HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and those found in human or non-human primate derived cell lines.
Resources
- Hepatitis B Vaccination Declination Form (doc)
- Bloodborne Pathogen Annual Engineering Controls-Safety Feature Evaluation (doc)
Please complete the Hepatits B Vaccination Declination Form. If you answer “yes,” contact or have your supervisor contact OSU Health Care Center for instructions to get the immunization. If “no”, please give copy to your supervisor to keep on file.
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Information
- SafetyInfo - Bloodborne Pathogen Program Development
- Oklahoma State Univ. - EHS Biosafety Info
- OSHA e-Tool - Bloodborne Pathogens
- OSHA - Bloodborne Pathogens in ICU Facilities
- OSHA - Bloodborne Pathogens Final Standard: Summary of Key OSHA Provisions
- Labratory Safety Supply - Complying with OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
- NIEHS - Emergency Steps to Take in the Event of a Potential Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure
- CDC - Environmental Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities
- NIH - Exposure Control Program for Non-Hospital Personnel
- OSHA collection - Fact Sheets on Bloodborne Pathogens
- CDC - Guidelines for Laundry in Healthcare Facilities
- CDC - Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings
- Hygenius - Handwashing for Infection Control
- Oklahoma State Univ. EHS - Hepatitis
- CDC - Hepatitis C Fact Sheet
- National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases - HIV Infection and AIDS
- Collection of Sheets from Univ. Indiana - HIV/STD Prevention Fact Sheets
- American Liver Foundation - If You Have Hepatitis C Infection
- OSHA - Needle Stick Information
- NIOSH - Selecting, Evaluating, and Using Sharps Disposal Containers
Bloodborne Pathogen Safety Training
Training is required initially, annually and as policy/procedure changes occur.
Staff and Contact
| Amber Hood, M.S., CPIA, CIP | Director, Regulatory Compliance and Research Facilities | amber.hood@okstate.edu 918-561-1413 |
| Rebecca Crandell, M.S. | Assistant Directory, Research Compliance | rebecca.crandell@okstate.edu 918-561-1409 |