BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS
START WITH A QUESTION
What’s more dangerous - what you can see, or what you can’t? OSHA 1910.1030
WHAT THIS STANDARD COVERS
OSHA 1910.1030 applies to all workers who may be
exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials
on the job.
You are at risk if your duties may involve:
Handling blood or human fluids
Cleaning contaminated surfaces or laundry
Did you know?
Working in healthcare, lab, or first-
Blood and other body fluids can carry serious diseases like
response roles
Hepatitis B and HIV? Even small exposures during work can
put you at risk - and you might not even realize it until its too
late.
KEY DEFINITIONS TO KNOW
25000
Bloodborne Pathogens
20000 Microorganisms in blood that can cause disease like HBV and HIV.
OPIM (Other Potentially Infectious Materials)
15000
Includes saliva, semen, cerebrospinal fluid, and more.
10000
Contaminated Sharps
5000
Needles, scalpels, or anything that can puncture the skin and has blood on it.
0
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Exposure Incident
any contact between bloo/OPIM and your eyes, mouth, or broken skin while working.
Annual Hepatitis B cases Universal Precautions
in the United States Always treat all blood and bodily fluids as if they are infectious.
(https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/php/npr-2024/hep-b-reduce-
infections.html)
PROTECTION AND CONTROLS
Engineering Controls - Devices like sharp containers or needless systems that reduce risk.
Work Practice Controls - Safe habits like never recapping needles with two hands.
PPE - Gloves, gowns, face shields - always use them when there’s a risk.
Decontamination - Surfaces or tools must be cleaned to remove all pathogens
Handwashing - Required immediately after potential exposure
REPORTING & RESPONSE: WHAT TO DO AFTER AN EXPOSURE
If you experience an exposure incident, such as a
needlestick, blood splash, or contact with broken
skin:
Wash the area immediately with soap and water
(flush eyes/mouth if needed).
Report the incident right away to your supervisor.
Document the incident - what, when how, and the
souce (if known).
CONCLUSION
Seek medical evaluation for: Even a tiny amount of blood can carry big risks. Don’t
Hepatitis B vaccination, HIV/HBV testing and wait for symptoms to take it seriously. Follow Universal
follow-up, and confidential counseling and care. Precautions, wear PPE, and report all exposures.
Time for a
SHORT QUIZ
1 What are bloodborne pathogens?
a) Germs in the air
b) Chemicals in blood
c) Disease-causing microorganisms in human blood
d) All of the above
2 What does “Universal Precautions” mean?
a) Only nurses must use protection
b) Treat all blood and fluids as if infectious
c) Only wear PPE around sick people
d) None of the above
3 What should you do if you’re exposed to blood of OPIM?
a) Ignore it unless you feel sick
b) Wipe it off with a paper towel
c) Report it immediately and follow post-exposure procedures
d) the person who last used the lift
