We're sorry, but OSHAcademy doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript or install a browser that supports Javascript.

655 Bloodborne Pathogens in the Workplace
Skip to main content

Introduction

Why do I need to learn about the risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens?

OSHA estimates more than 5.6 million workers are at risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. All occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) place workers at risk for infection with bloodborne pathogens.

Workers in many different occupations are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS. First aid team members, housekeeping personnel in some settings, nurses and other healthcare providers are examples of workers who may be at risk of exposure.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, you should be able to:
ID Objective
TO 1.0 Achieve a minimum score of 70% on the final course assessment.
LO 1.1.1 Explain what the OSHA bloodborne pathogen standard is and discuss it's purpose.
LO 1.2.1 Discuss what HBV, HCV, and HIV are, and what complications are commonly associated with them?
LO 1.3.1 List the common bodily fluids which can transmit bloodborne pathogens and how employees can protect themselves from them.
LO 1.4.1 Explain what an employer exposure control plan (ECP) is and discuss its components.
LO 1.5.1 Identify and list the occupations with a likely chance of occupational exposure.
LO 1.6.1 Explain the two essential control strategies employees use to eliminate or minimize the transmission of bloodborne diseases in the workplace.
LO 1.7.1 Describe what personal protective equipment (PPE) is and list common types of PPE used to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens.
LO 1.8.1 Discuss the employers responsibility to offer the hepatitis B vaccine to their employee's.
LO 1.9.1 Explain what an employee should do when they are exposed to bloodborne pathogens.
LO 1.10.1 Explain how employers ensure a worksite is maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
LO 1.11.1 Identify and discuss the primary methods of communicating the presence of potentially infectious material to employees.

Key: Terminal Objective (TO), Learning Objective (LO)