BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

Scope and Application

• Unfixed tissue or organs from a human
• HIV containing cells or tissue cultures, organ cultures and HIV
• HBV containing culture medium or other solutions
• Blood organs, or other tissue from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV.

The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard covers many types of employees including those in healthcare, non-healthcare, and permanent and temporary work sites. Examples of employees in healthcare facilities include physicians, surgeons, nurses, dentists and dental workers, and laboratory personnel. Non-healthcare facility employees include those who service and repair medical and dental equipment, infectious waste disposal employees and employees in law enforcement and correctional institutions.

OSHA has estimated that nearly 5.3 million employees are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.