179 Healthcare: Introduction to Common Hospital Hazards

Bloodborne Pathogens

Employers are required to identify employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) [29 CFR 1910.1030(b)]. Hospitals must implement a written Exposure Control Plan (ECP) designed to eliminate or minimize employee exposure to blood or OPIM [29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)].

Exposure Control Plan requirements:

• Document an annual review and update of the written plan. The review process should evaluate new technology for safer medical devices that reduce or eliminate an employee’s exposure [29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(A)]. Hospitals, as an employer, must also document their consideration and implementation of the safer medical devices annually [29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B)].
• Hospitals are also required to get input for the safer medical devices from those directly responsible for patient care [29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(v)]. The input provided by these employees must also be documented.
• Employers are required to ensure the written ECP is accessible to all employees [29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iii)].

Employers should ensure employees with occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens receive appropriate training, at no cost to employee and during working hours [29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(i), 29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)].

For more information on this topic, see course 656 Bloodborne Pathogens in the Healthcare Setting.

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