Bloodborne Pathogens: OSHA Regulations

Do you know how to protect yourself from bloodborne pathogens? These are disease-causing germs carried in blood and other body fluids. A few examples of these pathogens include hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS. You can protect yourself from these and many other disease-causing germs by using universal precautions when helping an injured person. Or when cleaning up after an accident. These precautions mean treating all blood and body fluids as if they're infectious. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has created regulations on blood-borne pathogens. They're meant to protect employees from diseases spread by blood or body fluids at work.

Universal precautions are procedures that can help you prevent dangerous diseases. These diseases could infect you and spread to your loved ones.

Know the OSHA regulations

OSHA regulations state that:

• If you're exposed to blood or body fluids while on the job, you can be exposed to blood-borne pathogens.

• Anyone's blood or body fluids may carry germs, even someone you know well. Following universal precautions can help protect you. You should assume that all blood and body fluids have infectious germs.

Know your employer's safety plan

Your employer will have a plan for using universal precautions and applying OSHA regulations in different situations. Only your employer can create the specific guidelines for your job. But OSHA does require that an exposure control plan is in place. And that this plan is updated every year. Learn your employer's plan and where to find it. Know what guidelines apply to you.