Health Hub: Bloodborne Pathogens

Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms present in blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) developed a standard for work-site prevention of blood borne pathogen transmission in 1992. The OSHA standard covers all private sector workers and public workers in state-plan OSHA states who “reasonably anticipate skin, eye, mucous membrane or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.”

• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Universal Precautions
• OSHA BBP Factsheet
• Link to OSHA webpage on BBP and Needlestick Prevention
• Link to NIOSH webpage on Bloodborne Infectious Diseases
• Link to OSHA webpage on Worker Protections Against Occupational Exposure to Infectious Diseases
• Hepatitis B Vaccination Protection
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Reduces Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens