Study 5 OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens and Exposure Control with 12 free online flashcards. Review key terms, definitions, and concepts with this interactive flashcard deck.
When does OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard apply?
The standard applies when employees may reasonably be expected to have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials while doing their work; exposure depends on tasks, not job title.
Name three bloodborne pathogens covered by the standard.
Examples include hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
What are three ways occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens can occur?
Exposure may occur through a needlestick or other puncture, contact with broken skin, or contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth.
What must an employer’s written Exposure Control Plan include?
It must identify job classifications and tasks with possible exposure, set out how protections will be implemented, and explain procedures for evaluating exposure incidents.
When must an Exposure Control Plan be reviewed and updated?
The employer must review it at least annually and when job tasks or procedures change in ways that affect exposure. The review must consider exposure-reducing technology and document consideration and implementation of appropriate, effective safer medical devices.
What does universal precautions mean?
Universal precautions means treating human blood and specified other potentially infectious materials as potentially infectious.
What controls and handling practice help prevent exposure from used sharps?
Employers must use appropriate engineering and work-practice controls and provide and require appropriate PPE. Used sharps should be promptly placed in an appropriate sharps-disposal container.
When must employees with occupational exposure receive training?
Training must be provided at no cost and during working hours when an employee is first assigned to exposure-risk tasks and at least annually thereafter, within one year of the previous training.
What makes bloodborne-pathogen training appropriate and interactive?
Training must suit employees’ educational level, literacy, and language. It must cover transmission, risk tasks, controls and PPE, and exposure response; employees must be able to ask questions and receive answers.
By when must an employer offer hepatitis B vaccination to an exposed employee?
The employer must make the hepatitis B vaccination series available at no cost after required training and within 10 working days of initial assignment.
When may hepatitis B vaccination be omitted, and can an employee later accept it?
It need not be offered if the employee completed the series, testing showed immunity, or vaccination is medically contraindicated. An employee who declines must sign OSHA’s declination statement but may later accept vaccination while covered by the standard.
What must an employer provide after an exposure incident?
The employer must promptly make confidential, no-cost medical evaluation and follow-up available. This includes documenting the exposure circumstances, giving relevant information to the healthcare professional, and following applicable public-health recommendations.