OSHA and Blood-Borne Infections and Diseases

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) administrates and enforces laws for workplace safety. These laws include safety measures to prevent infections and diseases caused by bloodborne pathogens. Bloodborne pathogens are disease-causing organisms found in blood and other bodily fluids. They can cause the spread of viruses such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Bloodborne pathogens can spread these viruses to people providing first aid or health care to an injured worker and to those who clean blood spilled from an injury.

Hepatitis Viruses

• Hepatitis is a viral infection that affects the liver. It's the leading cause of liver cancer and the main reason for liver transplants. Many people with hepatitis don't know they are infected. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hepatitis B infects 43,000 people each year, while hepatitis C infects 17,000 people. The most common type of hepatitis is hepatitis C. About 3.2 million people in the United States have chronic hepatitis C, affecting mostly people born between 1945 and 1965. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. There is a vaccine against hepatitis B, which can range from being a mild illness, lasting a few weeks, to an acute chronic illness lasting a lifetime.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

• HIV can attack the human immune system.

  The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can attack the human immune system and lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV damages the body by destroying blood cells needed to fight disease. An HIV-infected person can spread the virus to others through blood, semen and vaginal fluid. The only way to tell if you are infected with HIV is to be tested. Many people don't have any symptoms for years. The CDC estimates that about 56,000 people in the United States contracted HIV in 2006.

OSHA Bloodborne Infection Regulations

• Personal protection devices include gloves, face masks and protective body cover.

  OSHA requires workplaces to make changes in technology, engineering controls and work practices to reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens. This includes using safer ergonomic tools, providing containers to dispose of sharp objects, and providing gloves, safety glasses and other protective gear. Workplaces must offer employees who could be exposed to the hepatitis B virus a hepatitis B vaccine. Employees who choose not to be vaccinated must sign a declination form. OSHA requires workplaces to provide training to employees who could be exposed to bloodborne pathogens. Training includes special instructions approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for cleaning and decontaminating blood-covered surfaces and objects. Employers must provide personal protection devices including gloves, face masks, goggles, aprons and shields. Color coded or labeled containers must be provided for infectious waste, which must be disposed of according to federal, state and local regulations. As of May 26, 2010, OSHA was conducting a review of the bloodborne pathogen standards to see if the 1991 standards need to be updated.