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Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Regulation:
29 CFR 1910.1030, Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

Who is covered:
The Bloodborne Pathogen Standard applies to all employees with reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with human blood, blood components, or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee's duties. Other potentially infectious materials means:

1. The following human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood
2. Any unfixed human tissue or organ (other than intact skin)
3. HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures, organ cultures, and HIV- or HBV-containing culture medium or other solutions; and blood, organs, or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV

What training is required:
Each training program must be appropriate in context and language and contain at a minimum the following elements:

• An accessible copy of the regulatory text of this standard and an explanation of its contents.
• An explanation of the epidemiology, transmission, and symptoms of bloodborne diseases.
• An explanation of the University of Minnesota's exposure control plan and the means by which the employee can obtain a written copy.
• An explanation of the appropriate methods for recognizing tasks and other activities that may involve exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials.
• An explanation of the use and limitations of methods that will prevent or reduce exposure including engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment.
• Information on the types, basis for selection, proper use, location, removal, handling, decontamination and disposal of personal protective equipment.
• Information on the hepatitis B vaccine, including information on its efficacy, safety, method of administration, the benefits of being vaccinated, and that employees will be offered the vaccination series free of charge.
• Information on the appropriate actions to take and persons to contact in an emergency.
• An explanation of the procedure to follow if an exposure incident occurs, including the method of reporting the incident and the medical follow-up that will be made available.
• Information on the post-exposure evaluation and follow-up.
• An explanation of the signs and labels and/or color coding required.
• Name of individual to contact for further information.

When training is required:
Training must be completed within ten working days of initial assignment to tasks where occupational exposure may take place, and at least annually thereafter.

Record keeping:
Training records must be maintained for three years from the date on which the training occurred. Training records must include the dates of the training sessions, the contents or a summary of the training session, the names and qualifications of persons conducting the training, and the names and job titles of all persons attending the training sessions.

Contact name and number:
For further information, call the Biosafety Specialists in Environmental Health and Safety, at 612-626-6002

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