Bloodborne Pathogens Standard: 4 Occupations That Are Covered

Published by OSHA, the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard lists what types of occupations and who needs to be covered under OSHA rules. To fully understand the ramifications and complications it is necessary for all employers and employees to understand that bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that cause serious diseases. Pathogens by definition are highly contagious when passed from an infected person to an uninfected person.
Each state applies OSHA bloodborne pathogen rules differently, but the end result is the same: health care employees need to be highly protected against contamination. Body fluids including vaginal secretions, blood, cerebrospinal fluids, semen and saliva are included in the Standards rules. Unfixed tissues such as organs to be transplanted are also included. Cultures from HIV infected or animals used in testing are also part of the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.
• There are specific occupations that are covered under the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard including housekeepers in health care facilities, those who work in hospital laundries, tissue and blood bank personnel, physicians, nurses, and any health care employees who work in clinics or physicians’ offices. Hospitals workers are also covered under this standard. Further standards and rules state that dental workers such as dentists and hygienists also need to be listed and covered.
• Additional personnel who must be covered under the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard include police officers, EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, and health care employees in dialysis centers. Fun Things To Do During Chemo Those who work in mortuaries need to be covered under OSHA guidelines. Basically, anyone who handles blood, body fluids or tissues in any type of medical affiliation is covered.
• Good Samaritan acts are not required to be reported under the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard. In other words, this means that those employees who render assistance out of the goodness of their hearts are not required to receive or report follow-up procedures, obtain Online Therapy Uk the hepatitis B vaccinations, and if exposed are not required to report the exposure. They can be infected, but under OSHA laws, no help needs to be rendered. It is, however, ethical for an employer to provide help and follow up reporting to protect the Good Samaritan.
• A single chiropractor who uses invasive procedures such as needle sticks that involve blood is not necessarily covered by OSHA standards. However if the chiropractor has employees who are covered by workers’ compensation and it is published that these employees handle blood and body fluids, the chiropractor needs to understand the OSHA standards for bloodborne pathogen handling. These workers are under the same reporting obligations as conventional health care workers.
Additional lists of those who are required to use OSHA reporting standards concerning bloodborne pathogens do include hazardous occupations that may involve injuries. These occupations include miners, constructor workers and janitorial employees. In other words, those who come in contact with any type of blood or bodily fluids must report contact. OSHA does require reporting of any incident that caused bleeding. Seek the advice of your local OSHA chapter to learn more about your responsibilities if you are an employer.