OSHA 3128
Bloodborne Pathogens and Acute Care Facilities
Bloodborne Pathogens
and Acute Care Facilities
U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA 3128
1992
The information contained in this
publication is not considered a
substitute for any provisions of
the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970 or for any
standards issued by OSHA.
Material contained in this publication is
in the public domain and may be reproduced, fully or
partially, without permission of
the Federal Government. Source
credit is requested but not
required.
This information will be made
available to sensory impaired
individuals upon request.
Voice phone: (202) 523-8615;
TDD message referral phone:
1-800-326-2577

Bloodborne Pathogens and Acute Care Facilities
U.S. Department of Labor
Lynn Martin, Secretary
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Dorothy L. Strunk, Acting Assistant Secretary
OSHA 3128
1992
Contents
Introduction
Who Is Covered?
The Exposure Control Plan
Who Has Occupational Exposure?
Communicating Hazards to Employees
Preventive Measures
Hepatitis B Vaccination
Universal Precautions
Methods of Control
Engineering and Work Practice Controls
Personal Protective Equipment
Housekeeping Procedures
What to Do if an Exposure Incident Occurs?
Recordkeeping
Other Sources of OSHA Assistance
Consultation Programs
Voluntary Protection Programs
Training and Education
Related Publications
Appendix
Illustrations
Table 1. Compliance Calendar
Table 2. Labeling Requirements
Figure 1. Biohazard Symbol
Introduction
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
estimates, more than 5.6 million workers in health care and related
occupations are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, such
as the human immunodeficiency (HIV) and hepatitis B (HBV)
viruses, and other potentially infectious materials. Of these health
care workers, approximately 3 million comprise hospitals, physicians'
offices, and government clinics.1
OSHA recognizes the need for a regulation that prescribes safeguards to
protect these workers against the health hazards from
exposure to blood and certain body fluids, including bloodborne
pathogens.
This booklet is designed to help health care employers and employees in
acute care settings in understanding and complying with
OSHA's regulation on bloodborne pathogens, which was published
on December 6, 1991, in 29 CFR 1910.1030, and is in effect as of
March 6, 1991 (see Table 1 for compliance calendar.) This booklet
outlines and summarizes the requirements of the standard2
and informs acute care workers of the risks of occupational exposure to
bloodborne pathogens and how to reduce these risks.
Who is Covered?
The OSHA standard protects employees who maybe occupationally
exposed to blood and other potential infectious materials, which
includes but is not limited to, physicians, nurses, phlebotomists,
emergency medical personnel, operating room personnel, therapists,
orderlies, laundry workers, and other health care workers.
Blood means human blood, blood products, or blood components.
Other potentially infectious materials include human body fluids such
as saliva in dental procedures, semen, vaginal secretions; cerebrospinal,
synovial, pleural, pericardial, peritoneal, and amniotic fluids;
body fluids visibly contaminated with blood; unfixed human tissues or
organs; HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures; and HIV or HBV-containing
culture mediums or other solutions.
Occupational exposure means a "reasonably anticipated skin, eye,
mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially
infectious materials that may result from the performance of the
employee's duties."
Federal OSHA authority extends to all private sector employers with
one or more employees, as well as federal civilian employees. In
addition, many states administer their own occupational safety and
health programs through plans approved under section 18(b) of the
OSH Act. These plans must adopt standards and enforce requirements that
are at least as effective as federal requirements. Of the
current 25 state plan states and territories, 23 cover the private and
public (state and local governments) sectors and 2 cover the public
sector only. (See listing at the end of this booklet.)
Determining occupational exposure and instituting control methods
and work practices appropriate for specific job assignments are key
requirements of the standard. The required written exposure control
plan and methods of compliance show how employee exposure can
be minimized or eliminated.
The Exposure Control Plan
A written exposure control plan is necessary for the safety and health
of workers. At a minimum, the plan must include the following:
- Identify job classifications where there is exposure to blood or
other potentially infectious materials.
- Explain the protective measures currently in effect in the acute
care facility and/or a schedule and methods of compliance to be
implemented, including hepatitis B vaccination and post-exposure
followup procedures; how hazards are communicated to employees; personal
protective equipment; housekeeping; and
recordkeeping.
- Establish procedures for evaluating the circumstances of an
exposure incident.
The schedule of how and when the provisions of the standard will be
implemented may be a simple calendar with brief notations describing the
compliance methods, an annotated copy of the standard, or
a part of another document, such as the infection control plan.
The written exposure control plan must be available to workers and
OSHA representatives and updated at least annually or whenever
changes in procedures create new occupational exposures.
Who Has Occupational Exposure?
The exposure determination must be based on the definition of
occupational exposure without regard to personal protective
clothing and equipment. Exposure determination begins by reviewing job
classifications of employees within the work environment and
then making a list divided into two groups: job classifications in
which all of the employees have occupational exposure, and those
classifications in which some of the employees have occupational
exposure.
Where all employees are occupationally exposed, it is not necessary
to list specific work tasks. Some examples include phlebotomists,
lab technicians, physicians, nurses, nurses aides, surgical technicians,
and emergency room personnel.
Where only some of the employees have exposure, specific tasks
and procedures causing exposure must be listed. Examples include
ward clerks or secretaries who occasionally handle blood or infectious
specimens, and housekeeping staff who may be exposed to
contaminated objects and/or environments some of the time.
When employees with occupational exposure have been identified,
the next step is to communicate the hazards of the exposure to the
employees.
Communicating Hazards to Employees
The initial training for current employees must be scheduled within
90 days of the effective date of the bloodborne pathogens standard,
at no cost to the employee, and during working hours.3 Training also
is required for new workers at the time of their initial assignment to
tasks with occupational exposure or when job tasks change, causing
occupational exposure, and annually thereafter.
Training sessions must be comprehensive in nature, including
information on bloodborne pathogens as well as on OSHA regulations
and the employer's exposure control plan. The person conducting the
training must be knowledgeable in the subject matter as
it relates to acute care facilities.
Specifically, the training program must do the following:
- Explain the regulatory text and make a copy of the regulatory text
accessible.
- Explain the epidemiology and symptoms of bloodborne diseases.
- Explain the modes of transmission of bloodborne pathogens.
- Explain the employer's written exposure control plan.
- Describe the methods to control transmission of HBV and HIV.
- Explain how to recognize occupational exposure.
- Inform workers about the availability of free hepatitis B vaccinations,
vaccine efficacy, safety, benefits, and administration.
- Explain the emergency procedures for and reporting of exposure
incidents.
- Inform workers of the post-exposure evaluation and followup
available from health care professionals.
- Describe how to select, use, remove, handle, decontaminate, and
dispose of personal protective clothing and equipment.
- Explain the use and limitations of safe work practices, engineering
controls, and personal protective equipment.
- Explain the use of labels, signs, and color coding required by the
standard.
- Provide a question and answer session on training.
In addition to communicating hazards to employees and providing
training to identify and control hazards, other preventive measures
also must be taken to ensure employee protection. Preventive
measures such as hepatitis B vaccination, universal precautions,
engineering controls, safe work practices, personal protective
equipment, and housekeeping measures help reduce the risks of
occupational exposure.
Preventive Measures
Hepatitis B Vaccination
The hepatitis B vaccination series must be made available within 10
working days of initial assignment to every employee who has
occupational exposure. The hepatitis B vaccination must be made
available without cost to the employee, at a reasonable time and
place for the employee, by a licensed health care professional,
4 and
according to recommendations of the U.S. Public Health Service,
including routine booster doses.5
The health care professional designated by the employer to implement this
part of the standard must be provided with a copy of the
bloodborne pathogens standard. The health care professional must
provide the employer with a written opinion stating whether the
hepatitis B vaccination is indicated for the employee and whether the
employee has received such vaccination.
Employers are not required to offer hepatitis B vaccination (a) to
employees who have previously completed the hepatitis B vaccination
series, (b) when immunity is confirmed through antibody testing,
or (c) if vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons. Participation
in a presecreening program is not a prerequisite for receiving hepatitis B
vaccination. Employees who decline the vaccination may
request and obtain it at a later date, if they continue to be exposed.
Employees who decline to accept the hepatitis B vaccination must
sign a declination form (see appendix), indicating that they were
offered the vaccination, but refused it.
Universal Precautions
The single most important measure to control transmission of HBV
and HIV is to treat all human blood and other potentially infectious
materials AS IF THEY WERE infectious for HBV and HIV. Application of this
approach is referred to as "universal precautions." Blood, and certain
body fluids from all acute care patients should be considered as potentially
infectious materials.6
These fluids cause contamination, defined in the standard as, "the presence or the reasonably
anticipated presence of blood or other potentially infectious
materials on an item or surface."
Methods of Control
Engineering and Work Practice Controls
Engineering and work practice controls are the privary methods used
to control the transmission of HBV and HIV in acute care facilities.
Engineering controls isolate or remove the hazard from employees
and are used in conjunction with work practices. Personal protective
equipment also shall be used when occupational exposure to
bloodborne pathogens remains even after instituting these controls.
Engineering controls must be examined and maintained, or replaced,
on a scheduled basis. Some engineering controls that apply to acute
care facilities and are required by the standard include the following:
- Use puncture-resistant, leak-proof containers, color coded red or
labeled, according to the standard (see Table 2), to discard
contaminated items like needles, broken glass, scalpels, or other
items that could cause a cut or puncture wound.
- Use puncture-resistant, leak-proof containers, color-coded red or
labeled to store contaminated reusable sharps until they are
properly reprocessed.
- Store and process reusable contaminated sharps in a way that
ensures safe handling. For example, use a mechanical device to
retrieve used instruments from soaking pans in decontamination
areas.
- Use puncture-resistant, leak-proof containers to collect, handle,
process, store, transport, or ship blood specimens and potentially
infectious materials. Label these specimens if shipped outside the
facility. Labeling is not required when specimens are
handled by employees trained to use universal precautions with all
specimens and when these specimens are kept within the facility.
Similarly, work practice controls reduce the likelihood of exposure by
altering the manner in which the task is performed. All procedures
shall minimize splashing, spraying, splattering, and generation of
droplets. Work practice requirements include the following:
- Wash hands when gloves are removed and as soon as possible
after contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.
- Provide and make available a mechanism for immediate eye
irrigation, in the event of an exposure incident.
- Do not bend, recap, or remove contaminated needles unless required to
do so by specific medical procedures or the employer can
demonstrate that no alternative is feasible. In these instances, use
mechanical means such as forceps, or a one-handed technique to
recap or remove contaminated needles.
- Do not shear or break contaminated needles.
- Discard contaminated needles and sharp instruments in puncture-resistant,
leakproof, red or biohazard-labeled (see also Figure 1)
containers7 that are accessible, maintained upright, and not
allowed to be overfilled.
- Do not eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics, or handle contact
lenses in areas of potential occupational exposure. (Note: use of
hand lotions is acceptable.)
- Do not store food or drink in refrigerators or on shelves where
blood or potentially infectious materials are present.
- Use RED, or affix biohazard labels to, containers to store, transport
or ship blood or other potentially infectious materials, such as lab
specimens.
- Do not use mouth pipetting to suction blood or other potentially
infectious materials; it is prohibited.
Personal Protective Equipment
In addition to instituting engineering and work practice controls, the
standard requires that appropriate personal protective equipment be
used to reduce worker risk of exposure. Personal protective equipment is
specialized clothing or equipment used by employees to
protect against direct exposure to blood or other potentially infectious
materials. Protective equipment must not allow blood or other
potentially infectious materials to pass through to workers' clothing,
skin, or mucous membranes. Such equipment includes, but is not
limited to, gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, face shields or masks,
and eye protection.
The employer is responsible for providing, maintaining, laundering,
disposing, replacing, and assuring the proper use of personal
protective equipment. The employer is responsible for ensuring that
workers have access to the protective equipment, at no cost, including
proper sizes and types that take allergic conditions into consideration.
An employee may temporarily and briefly decline to wear personal
protective equipment under rare and extraordinary circumstances
and when, in the employee's professional judgment, it prevents the
delivery of health care or public safety services or poses an increased,
or life-threatening, hazard to employees. In general,
appropriate personal protective equipment is expected to be
used whenever occupational exposure may occur.
The employer also must ensure that employees observe the following
precautions for safely handling and using personal protective
equipment:
- Remove all personal protective equipment immediately following
contamination and upon leaving the work area, and place in an
appropriately designated area or container for storing, washing,
decontaminating, or discarding.
- Wear appropriate gloves when contact with blood, mucous membranes,
non-intact skin, or potentially infectious materials is
anticipated; when performing vascular access procedures;8 and
when handling or touching contaminated items or surfaces.
- Provide hypoallergenic gloves, liners, or powderless gloves or
other alternatives to employees who need them.
- Replace disposable, single-use gloves as soon as possible when
contaminated, or if torn, punctured, or barrier function is compromised.
- Do not reuse disposable (single-use) gloves.
- Decontaminate reusable (utility) gloves after each use and discard
if they show signs of cracking, peeling, tearing, puncturing, deteriorating,
or failing to provide a protective barrier.
- Use full face shields or face masks with eye protection, goggles, or
eye glasses with side shields when splashes of blood and other
bodily fluids may occur and when contamination of the eyes, nose,
or mouth can be anticipated (e.g., during invasive and surgical
procedures).
- Also wear surgical caps or hoods and/or shoe covers or boots
when gross contamination may occur, such as during surgery, and
autopsy procedures.
Remember: The selection of appropriate personal protective
equipment depends on the quantity and type of exposure
expected.
Housekeeping Procedures
Equipment. The employer must ensure a clean and sanitary
workplace. Contaminated work surfaces must be decontaminated
with a disinfectant upon completion of procedures or when contaminated
by splashes, spills, or contact with blood, other potentially
infectious materials, and at the end of the work shift. Surfaces and
equipment protected with plastic wrap, foil, or other nonabsorbent
materials must be inspected frequently for contamination; and these
protective coverings must be changed when found to be contaminated.
Waste cans and pails must be inspected and decontaminated on a
regularly scheduled basis. Broken glass should be cleaned up with a
brush or tongs; never pickup broken glass with hands, even when
wearing gloves.
Waste. Waste removed from the facility is regulated by local and
state laws. Special precautions are necessary when disposing of
contaminated sharps and other contaminated waste, and include the
following:
- Dispose of contaminated sharps in closable, puncture-resistant,
leakproof, red or biohazard-labeled containers (see Table 2).
- Place other regulated waste9 in closable, leakproof, red or biohazard-labeled
bags or containers. If outside contamination of the
regulated waste container occurs, place it in a second container
that is closable, leakproof, and appropriately labeled.
Laundry. Laundering contaminated articles, including employee lab
coats and uniforms meant to function as personal protective equipment, is
the responsibility of the employer. Contaminated laundry
shall be handled as little as possible with minimum agitation. This
can be accomplished through the use of a washer and dryer in a
designated area on site, or the contaminated items can be sent to a
commercial laundry. The following requirements should be met with
respect to contaminated laundry:
- Bag contaminated laundry as soon as it is removed and store in a
designated area or container.
- Use red laundry bags or those marked with the biohazard symbol
unless universal precautions are in effect in the facility and all
employees recognize the bags as contaminated and have been
trained in handling the bags.
- Clearly mark laundry sent off-site for cleaning, by placing it in RED
bags or bags clearly marked with the orange biohazard symbol;
and use leak-proof bags to prevent soak-through.
- Wear gloves or other protective equipment when handling contaminated
laundry.
What to Do if an Exposure Incident Occurs
An exposure incident is the specific eye, mouth or other mucous
membrane, non-intact skin, parenteral contact with blood or other
potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of
an employee's duties. An example of an exposure incident would be
a puncture from a contaminated sharp.
The employer is responsible for establishing the procedure for
evaluating exposure incidents.
When evaluating an exposure incident, immediate assessment and
confidentiality are critical issues. Employees should immediately
report exposure incidents to enable timely medical evaluation and
followup by a health care professional as well as a prompt request by
the employer for testing of the source individual's blood for HIV and
HBV. The "source individual" is any patient whose blood or body
fluids are the source of an exposure incident to the employee.
At the time of the exposure incident, the exposed employee must be
directed to a health care professional. The employer must provide
the health care professional with a copy of the bloodborne pathogens
standard, a description of the employee's job duties as they relate to
the incident, a report of the specific exposure, including route of
exposure, relevant employee medical records, including hepatitis B
vaccination status, and results of the source individual's blood tests,
if available. At that time, a baseline blood sample should be drawn
from the employee, if he/she consents. If the employee elects to
delay HIV testing of the sample, the health care professional must
preserve the employee's blood sample for at least 90 days.10
Testing the source individual's blood does not need to be repeated if
the source individual is known to be infectious for HIV or HBV; and
testing cannot be done in most states without written consent.11
The results of the source individual's blood tests are confidential. As
soon as possible, however, the test results of the source individual's
blood must be made available to the exposed employee through
consultation with the health care professional.
Following post-exposure evaluation, the health care professional will
provide a written opinion to the employer. This opinion is limited to a
statement that the employee has been informed of the results of the
evaluation and told of the need, if any, for any further evaluation or
treatment. The employer must provide a copy of the written opinion
to the employee within 15 days. This is the only information shared
with the employer following an exposure incident; all other employee
medical records are confidential.
All evaluations and followup must be available at no cost to the
employee and at a reasonable time and place, performed by or
under the supervision of a licensed physician or another licensed
health care professional, such as a nurse practitioner, and according
to recommendations of the U.S. Public Health Service guidelines
current at the time of the evaluation and procedure. In addition, all
laboratory tests must be conducted by an accredited laboratory and
at no cost to the employee.
Recordkeeping
There are two types of records required by the bloodborne pathogens
standard: medical and training.
A medical record must be established for each employee with
occupational exposure. This record is confidential and separate
from other personnel records. This record may be kept on-site or
may be retained by the health care professional who provides
services to employees. The medical record contains the employee's
name, social security number, hepatitis B vaccination status, including the
dates of vaccination and the written opinion of the health care
professional regarding the hepatitis B vaccination. If an occupational
exposure occurs, reports are added to the medical record to document the
incident and the results of testing following the incident.
The post-evaluation written opinion of the health care professional is
also part of the medical record. The medical record also must
document what information has been provided to the health care
provider. Medical records must be maintained 30 years past the last
date of employment of the employee.
Emphasis is on confidentiality of medical records. No medical record
or part of a medical record should be disclosed without direct, written
consent of the employee or as required by law.
Training records document each training session and are to be kept
for 3 years. Training records must include the date, content outline,
trainer's name and qualifications, and names and job titles of all
persons attending the training sessions.
If the employer ceases to do business, medical and training records
are transferred to the successor employer. If there is no successor
employer, the employer must notify the Director of the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, for specific directions regarding disposition
of the records at least 3 months prior to disposal.
Upon request, both medical and training records must be made
available to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety
and Health. Training records must be available to employees upon
request. Medical records can be obtained by the employee or
anyone having the employee's written consent.
Additional recordkeeping is required for employers with 11 or more
employees (see OSHA's Recordkeeping Guidelines for Occupational
Injuries and Illnesses for more information).
Other Sources of OSHA Assistance
Consultation Programs
Consultation assistance is available to employers who want help in
establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful workplace. Largely
funded by OSHA, the service is provided at no cost to the employer.
Primarily developed for smaller employers with more hazardous
operations, the consultation service is delivered by state government
agencies or universities employing professional safety consultants
and health consultants. Comprehensive assistance includes an
appraisal of all mechanical, physical work practice, and environmental
hazards of the workplace and all aspects of the employer's
present job safety and health program. No penalties are proposed
or citations issued for hazards identified by the consultant.
For more information concerning consultation assistance, see the list
of consultation projects listed at the end of this booklet.
Voluntary Protection Programs
Voluntary protection programs and onsite consultation services,
when coupled with an effective enforcement program, expand worker
protection to help meet the goals of the OSH Act. The three VPPs -- Star,
Merit, and Demonstration -- are designed to recognize outstanding achievement
by companies that have successfully incorporated
comprehensive safety and health programs into their total management
system. They motivate others to achieve excellent safety and
health results in the same outstanding way and they establish a
cooperative relationship between employers, employees, and OSHA.
For additional information on VPPs and how to apply, contact the
OSHA national, regional, or area offices listed at the end of this
publication.
Training and Education
OSHA's area offices offer a variety of informational services, such as
publications, audiovisual aids, technical advice, and speakers for
special engagements. Each regional office has a bloodborne
pathogens coordinator to assist employers.
OSHA's Training Institute in Des Plaines, IL, provides basic and
advanced courses in safety and health for federal and state compliance
officers, state consultants, federal agency personnel, and
private sector employers, employees, and their representatives.
OSHA also provides funds to nonprofit organizations, through grants,
to conduct workplace training and education in subjects where
OSHA believes there is a lack of workplace training. Current grant
subjects include agricultural safety and health, hazard communication
programs, and HIV and HBV. Grants are awarded annually, with
a 1-year renewal possible. Grant recipients are expected to contribute
20 percent of the total grant cost.
For more information on grants, and training and education, contact
the OSHA Training Institute, Office of Training and Education, 1555
Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018, (708) 297-4810.
For more information on AIDS, contact the Centers for Disease
Control National AIDS Clearinghouse 1-800-458-5231.
Related OSHA Publications
A single free copy of the following publications can be obtained from
the OSHA Publications Office, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room
N-3101, Washington, DC 20210. Please send a self-addressed
mailing label with your request.
Access to Medical and Exposure Records - OSHA 3110
All About OSHA - OSHA 2056
Chemical Hazard Communication - OSHA 3084
Consultation Services for the Employer - OSHA 3047
Employer Rights and Responsibilities and Courses of Action
Following an OSHA Inspection - OSHA 3000
Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens - OSHA 3127
OSHA: Employee Workplace Rights - OSHA 3021
OSHA Inspections - OSHA 2098
OSHA Publications and Audiovisual Programs - OSHA 2019
Personal Protective Equipment - OSHA 3077
Copies of the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard Title 29 Code
of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1030 (Federal Register
56(235):64004-64182, December 6, 1991) are available from the
Government Printing Office, GPO Order No. 069-001-0040-8, $2.00.
To order, call GPO at (202) 783-3238. Visa, MasterCard, GPO
Deposit Account, or check made payable to GPO is acceptable.
Write: The Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents,
Washington, DC 20402.
Appendix
The following statement of declination of hepatitis B vaccination must
be signed by an employee who chooses not to accept the vaccine.
The statement can only be signed by the employee following appropriate
training regarding hepatitis B, hepatitis B vaccination, the
efficacy, safety, method of administration, and benefits of vaccination,
and that the vaccine and vaccination are provided free of
charge to the employee. The statement is not a waiver; employees
can request and receive the hepatitis B vaccination at a later date if
they remain occupationally at risk for hepatitis B.
OSHA Consultation Project Directory
Consultation programs provide free services to employers who
request help in identifying and correcting specific hazards, want to
improve their safety and health programs, and/or need further
assistance in training and education. Funded by OSHA and delivered
by well-trained professional staff of state governments, consultation
services are comprehensive, and include an appraisal of all work-place
hazards, practices, and job safety and health programs;
conferences and agreements with management; assistance in
implementing recommendations; and a follow-up appraisal to ensure
that any required corrections are made. For more information on
consultation programs, contact the appropriate office in your state
listed below.
State | Telephone |
Alabama | (205) 348-3033 |
Alaska | (907) 264-2599 |
Arizona | (602) 255-5795 |
Arkansas | (501) 682-4522 |
California | (415) 737-2843 |
Colorado | (303) 491-6151 |
Connecticut | (203) 566-4550 |
Delaware | (302) 577-3908 |
District of Columbia | (202) 576-6339 |
Florida | (904) 488-3044 |
Georgia | (404) 894-8274 |
Guam | (671) 646-9244 |
Hawaii | (808) 548-4155 |
Idaho | (208) 385-3283 |
Illinois | (312) 814-2339 |
Indiana | (317) 232-2688 |
Iowa | (515) 281-5352 |
Kansas | (913) 296-4386 |
Kentucky | (502) 564-6895 |
Louisiana | (504) 342-9601 |
Maine | (207) 289-6460 |
Maryland | (301) 333-4218 |
Massachusetts | (617) 727-3463 |
Michigan | (517) 335-8250(H) |
| (517) 322-1809(S) |
Minnesota | (612) 297-2393 |
Mississippi | (601) 987-3981 |
Missouri | (314) 751-3403 |
Montana | (406) 444-6401 |
Nebraska | (402) 471-4717 |
Nevada | (703) 688-1474 |
New Hampshire | (603) 271-3170 |
New Jersey | (609) 292-0404 |
New Mexico | (505) 827-2885 |
New York | (518) 457-2481 |
North Carolina | (919) 733-3949 |
North Dakota | (701) 221-5188 |
Ohio | (614) 644-2631 |
Oklahoma | (405) 528-1500 |
Oregon | (503) 378-3272 |
Pennsylvania | (412) 357-2561 |
Puerto Rico | (809) 754-2171 |
Rhode Island | (401) 277-2438 |
South Carolina | (803) 734-9599 |
South Dakota | (605) 688-4101 |
Tennessee | (615) 741-7036 |
Texas | (512) 440-3834 |
Utah | (801) 530-6868 |
Vermont | (802) 828-2765 |
Virginia | (804) 786-6613 |
Virgin Islands | (809) 772-1315 |
Washington | (206) 586-0963 |
West Virginia | (304) 348-7890 |
Wisconsin | (608) 266-8579(H) |
| (414) 521-5063(S) |
Wyoming | (307) 777-7786 |
H - Health
S - Safety
States with Approved Plans
States administering their own occupational safety and health
programs through plans approved under section 18(b) of the Occupational
Safety and Health Act of 1970 must adopt standards and
enforce requirements that are at least as effective as federal requirements.
There are currently 25 state plan states; 23 cover the private and
public (state and local government) sections and 2 cover the public
sector only (Connecticut and New York).
COMMISSIONER
Alaska Department of Labor
P.O. Box 21149
Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 465-2700
DIRECTOR
Industrial Commission of Arizona
800 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-5795
DIRECTOR
California Department of Industrial Relations
455 Golden Gate Avenue
4th Floor
S. San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 703-4590
COMMISSIONER
Connecticut Department of Labor
200 Folly Brook Boulevard
Wethersfield, CT 06109
(203) 566-5123
DIRECTOR
Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
830 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 548-3150
COMMISSIONER
Indiana Department of Labor
1013 State Office Building
100 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2287
(317) 232-2665
COMMISSIONER
Iowa Division of Labor Services
1000 E. Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-3447
ACTING COMMISSIONER
for Workplace Standards
Kentucky Labor Cabinet
1049 U.S. Highway, 127 South
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-3070
COMMISSIONER
Maryland Division of Labor and Industry
Department of Licensing and Regulation
501 St. Paul Place, 2nd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202-2272
(301) 333-4179
DIRECTOR
Michigan Department of Labor
Victor Office Center
201 N. Washington Square
P.O. Box 30015
Lansing, Ml 48933
(517) 373-9600
DIRECTOR
Michigan Department of Public Health
3423 North Logan Street
Box 30195
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 335-8022
COMMISSIONER
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
443 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155
(612) 296-2342
DIRECTOR
Nevada Department of Industrial Relations
Division of Occupational Safety and Health
Capitol Complex
1370 S. Curry Street
Carson City, NV 89710
(702) 687-3032
SECRETARY
New Mexico Environment Dept.
Occupational Health and Safety Bureau
1190 St. Francis Drive
P.O. Box 26110
Santa Fe, NM 87502
(505) 827-2850
COMMISSIONER
New York Department of Labor
State Office Building-
Campus 12-Room 457
Albany, NY 12240
(518) 457-2741
COMMISSIONER
North Carolina Department of Labor
4 West Edenton Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 733-7166
ADMINISTRATOR
Oregon Occupational Safety
and Health Division
Oregon Department of Insurance
and Finance,
Room 160
Labor and Industries Building
Salem, OR 97310
(503) 378-3272
SECRETARY
Puerto Rico Department of
Labor and Human Resources
Prudencio Rivera Martinez
Building
505 Munoz Rivera Avenue
Hato Rey, PR 00918
(809) 754-2119
COMMISSIONER
South Carolina Department of
Labor
3600 Forest Drive
P.O. Box 11329
Columbia, SC 29211-1329
(803) 734-9594
COMMISSIONER
Tennessee Department of Labor
501 Union Building
Suite "A" - 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-0655
(615) 741-2582
ADMINISTRATOR
Utah Occupational Safety and
Health
160 East 300 South
P.O. Box 5800
Salt Lake City, UT 84110-5800
(801) 530-6900
COMMISSIONER
Vermont Department of Labor
and Industry
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05620
(802) 828-2765
COMMISSIONER
Virgin Islands Department of
Labor
2131 Hospital Street
Box 890
Christiansted
St. Croix, VI 00840-4666
(809) 773-1994
COMMISSIONER
Virginia Department of Labor
and Industry
Powers-Taylor Building
13S. 13th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 786-2376
DIRECTOR
Washington Department of
Labor and Industries
General Administration Building
Room 334-AX-31
Olympia, WA 98504-0631
(206) 753-6307
DIRECTOR
Department of Employment
Division of Employment Affairs
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
Herschler Building, 2nd Floor
East
122 West 25th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7786 or 777-7787
U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Regional Offices
Region I
(CT,* MA, ME, NH, RI, VT*)
133 Portland Street
1st Floor
Boston, MA 02114
Telephone: (617) 565-7164
Region II
(NJ, NY,* PR, VI*)
201 Varick Street
Room 670
New York, NY 10014
Telephone: (212) 337-2378
Region III
(DC, DE, MD,* PA, VA,* WV)
Gateway Building, Suite 2100
3535 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Telephone: (215) 596-1201
Region IV
(AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC,*
SC,* TN,*)
1375 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Suite 587
Atlanta, GA 30367
Telephone: (404) 347-3573
Region V
(IL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI)
230 South Dearborn Street
Room 3244
Chicago, IL 60604
Telephone: (312) 353-2220
Region VI
(AR, LA, NM,* OK, TX)
525 Griffin Street
Room 602
Dallas, TX 75202
Telephone: (214) 676-4731
Region VII
(IA,* KS, MO, NE)
911 Walnut Street, Room 406
Kansas City, MO 64106
Telephone: (816) 426-5861
Region VIII
(CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,* WY*)
Federal Building, Room 1576
1961 Stout Street
Denver, CO 80294
Telephone: (303) 844-3061
Region IX
(American Samoa, AZ,* CA,*
Guam, HI,* NV,* Trust Territories
of the Pacific)
71 Stevenson Street
Room 415
San Francisco, CA 94015
Telephone: (415) 744-6670
Region X
(AK,* ID, OR,* WA*)
1111 Third Avenue
Suite 715
Seattle, WA 98101-3212
Telephone: (206) 442-5930
Footnote(1) OSHA, Office of Regulatory Analysis, 1991. (Back to Text)
Footnote(2) This booklet is not a substitute for requirements of the standard. The complete
regulatory text, appendix, and explanatory preamble of the bloodborne pathogens
standard, are available in Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.1030, which was
published in the Federal Register 56 (235):64003-64182, December 6, 1991. (Back to Text)
Footnote(3) Employees who received training in the year preceding the effective date of the
standard need only receive training pertaining to any provisions not already included. (Back to Text)
Footnote(4) Licensed health care professional is a person whose legally permitted scope of practice
allows him or her to perform independently the activities required under paragraph (f) of
the standard regarding hepatitis B vaccination and post exposure and followup. (Back to Text)
Footnote(5) Health care professionals can call the Centers for Disease Control disease information
hotline (404) 332-4555, extension 234, for updated information on hepatitis B
vaccination. (Back to Text)
Footnote(6) See also "Recommendations for Prevention
of HIV Transmission in Health-Care Settings," MMWR (36) 2S: August 21, 1987.
(Back to Text)
Footnote(7) Biohazard labeling requires a fluorescent orange or orange-red label with the
biological hazard symbol as well as the word Biohazard in a contrasting color affixed
to the bag or container. (Back to Text)
Footnote(8) Phlebotomists in volunteer blood donation centers are exempt in certain circumstances.
See section (d)(3)(ix)(D) of the standard for specific details. (Back to Text)
Footnote(9) Liquid or semiliquid blood or other potentially infectious materials; items contaminated
with these fluids and materials, which could release these substances in a liquid
or semiliquid state, if compressed; items caked with dried blood or other potentially
infectious materials that are capable of releasing these materials during handling;
contaminated sharps; and pathological and microbiological wastes containing blood or
other potentially infectious materials. (Back to Text)
Footnote(10) If, during this time, the employee elects to have the baseline sample tested, testing
shall be performed as soon as feasible. (Back to Text)
Footnote(11) If consent is not obtained, the employer must show that legally required consent
could not be obtained. Where consent is not required by law, the source individual's
blood, if available, should be tested and the results documented. (Back to Text)
Footnote(*) These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved job safety and health
programs (Connecticut and New York plans cover public employees only). States with
approved programs must have a standard that is identical to, or at least as effective,
as the federal standard. (Back to Text)
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