OSHA Safety Standard for Plasma Dust

Employers are required to provide their workers with the tools and resources they need to perform their jobs safely, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Working with plasma dust warrants the use of personal protective equipment to prevent undue health incidents.

Definition

• Plasma dust is a product result of plasma polymerization. Plasma dust is a plasma derivative, and according to OSHA, any plasma derivative constitutes a blood-borne pathogen hazard.

PPE

• When employees work with plasma dust they risk exposing themselves to blood-borne pathogens. Workers can protect themselves against exposure by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. PPE includes gloves, eye and face protection and lab coats. According to OSHA, PPE must be worn wherever occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens exist.

Labeling

• Plasma and other forms of blood-borne pathogens must be stored in labeled containers. It is important that the outside of containers or compartments indicate the contents so that employees can be properly warned and take the appropriate safety measures to make sure they do not come into direct contact with the plasma dust.

Disposal

• Disposing of plasma dust must be done carefully and in a controlled environment, so that the dust is not dispersed. Employers are required to launder or dispose of the personal protective equipment worn by employees who work with plasma dust.