Bloodborne Pathogens
What are Bloodborne Pathogens?
Bloodborne pathogens are infectious materials in human blood that can cause disease when transmitted from an infected individual to another individual through blood and certain body fluids.
Bloodborne Pathogens Dangers and Prevention
Who is Covered by the Standard?
The bloodborne pathogens standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030 applies to all employees who have occupational exposure to human blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).
- Occupational exposure is defined as "reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or OPIM that may result from the performance of the employee's duties."
- Blood is defined as human blood, human blood components, and products made from human blood.
- Other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) means:
- The following human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids;
- Any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human (living or dead); and
- 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. The following references aid in recognizing workplace hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens.
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1-1. Who is covered by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens standard?
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