Bloodeborne Pathogens

What Are Bloodborne Pathogens?

Bloodborne pathogens are infectious materials in blood that can cause disease in humans, including hepatitis B and C and human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. Workers exposed to these pathogens risk serious illness or death.

How Can I Get More Information?

Contact the Environmental Health and Safety Office at 740-368-3502 for comments or questions on our Bloodborne Pathogen Program.

OSHA’s website provides more in-depth information about bloodborne pathogens and needlesticks on their Bloodborne Pathogens site.

Definitions

Biological Hazard. The term biological hazard or biohazard is taken to mean any viable infectious agent that presents a risk, or a potential risk, to the well being of humans.

Medical Wastes/Infectious Wastes. All waste emanating from human or animal tissues, blood or blood products or fluids. This includes used first aid bandages, syringes, needles, sharps, material used in spill cleanup and contaminated PPE or clothing.

Universal Precautions. Refers to a system of infectious disease control that assumes that every direct contact with body fluids is infectious and requires every employee exposed to be protected as though such body fluids were infected with blood-borne pathogens. All infectious/medical material must be handled according to Universal Precautions (OSHA Instruction CPL 2-2.44A).

Hazards. Unprotected exposure to body fluids presents the possible risk of infection from a number of Bloodborne pathogens notably Hepatitis and HIV.

Hazard Control

Engineering Controls - prevention of exposure to Bloodborne pathogens engineering controls include proper storage facilities and containers, syringes designed to prevent accidental needle sticks, autoclaves and disinfectant equipment.

Administrative Controls - prevention of exposure to Bloodborne pathogen administrative controls include universal precautions, assignment of PPE, employee training, use of spill kits specifically designed for blood and body fluids, restricted access to waste collection points and waste disposal procedures.