OSHA general industry bloodborne pathogens study guide
OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) applies to all occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. This guide sets out what the rule text states on its key definitions, the written exposure control plan and its annual review, universal precautions, engineering and work practice controls, sharps, personal protective equipment, housekeeping and regulated waste, hepatitis B vaccination and post-exposure follow-up, labels, training and recordkeeping. Every point links to the regulation and quotes its exact words.
Scope and definitions
The standard applies to all occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, as those terms are defined in paragraph (b).
“This section applies to all occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials as defined by paragraph (b) of this section.”
Bloodborne pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms present in human blood that can cause disease in humans. They include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
“Bloodborne Pathogens means pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).”
Occupational exposure means reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee's duties.
“Occupational Exposure means reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee's duties.”
An exposure incident is a specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of the employee's duties.
“Exposure Incident means a specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of an employee's duties.”
Parenteral means piercing mucous membranes or the skin barrier, through events such as needlesticks, human bites, cuts and abrasions.
“Parenteral means piercing mucous membranes or the skin barrier through such events as needlesticks, human bites, cuts, and abrasions.”
Other potentially infectious materials include these human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal, synovial, pleural, pericardial, peritoneal and amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to tell body fluids apart.
“The following human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids;”
Other potentially infectious materials also include any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a living or dead human; HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures and organ cultures; HIV- or HBV-containing culture medium or other solutions; and blood, organs or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV.
“(2) Any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human (living or dead); and (3) HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures, organ cultures, and HIV- or HBV-containing culture medium or other solutions; and blood, organs, or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV.”
Personal protective equipment is specialized clothing or equipment worn for protection against a hazard. General work clothes such as uniforms, pants, shirts or blouses that are not intended to protect against a hazard are not PPE.
“Personal Protective Equipment is specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against a hazard. General work clothes (e.g., uniforms, pants, shirts or blouses) not intended to function as protection against a hazard are not considered to be personal protective equipment.”
The standard became effective on March 6, 1992.
“The standard shall become effective on March 6, 1992.”
Not covered here
Paragraph (e)'s added rules for HIV and HBV research laboratories and production facilities, and the added initial training for their employees in paragraph (g)(2)(ix). They apply only to those facilities, not to clinical or diagnostic laboratories engaged solely in the analysis of blood, tissues, or organs. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Exposure control plan
Each employer with one or more employees who have occupational exposure must set up a written Exposure Control Plan designed to eliminate or minimize employee exposure.
“Each employer having an employee(s) with occupational exposure as defined by paragraph (b) of this section shall establish a written Exposure Control Plan designed to eliminate or minimize employee exposure.”
The plan must contain at least the exposure determination, the schedule and method of implementation for paragraphs (d) through (h), and the procedure for evaluating the circumstances surrounding exposure incidents.
“The Exposure Control Plan shall contain at least the following elements: (A) The exposure determination required by paragraph (c)(2), (B) The schedule and method of implementation for paragraphs (d) Methods of Compliance, (e) HIV and HBV Research Laboratories and Production Facilities, (f) Hepatitis B Vaccination and Post-Exposure Evaluation and Follow-up, (g) Communication of Hazards to Employees, and (h) Recordkeeping, of this standard, and (C) The procedure for the evaluation of circumstances surrounding exposure incidents as required by paragraph (f)(3)(i) of this standard.”
The employer must make sure a copy of the plan is accessible to employees in line with 29 CFR 1910.20(e).
“Each employer shall ensure that a copy of the Exposure Control Plan is accessible to employees in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.20(e).”
The plan must be reviewed and updated at least annually, and whenever necessary to reflect new or modified tasks and procedures that affect occupational exposure and new or revised employee positions with occupational exposure.
“The Exposure Control Plan shall be reviewed and updated at least annually and whenever necessary to reflect new or modified tasks and procedures which affect occupational exposure and to reflect new or revised employee positions with occupational exposure.”
The review and update of the plan must also reflect changes in technology that eliminate or reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens, and document annually the consideration and implementation of appropriate commercially available and effective safer medical devices designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure.
“The review and update of such plans shall also: (A) Reflect changes in technology that eliminate or reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens; and (B) Document annually consideration and implementation of appropriate commercially available and effective safer medical devices designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure.”
An employer required to have an Exposure Control Plan must ask non-managerial employees responsible for direct patient care who are potentially exposed to injuries from contaminated sharps for input in identifying, evaluating and selecting effective engineering and work practice controls, and must document that request in the plan.
“An employer, who is required to establish an Exposure Control Plan shall solicit input from non-managerial employees responsible for direct patient care who are potentially exposed to injuries from contaminated sharps in the identification, evaluation, and selection of effective engineering and work practice controls and shall document the solicitation in the Exposure Control Plan.”
The exposure determination must be made without regard to the use of personal protective equipment.
“This exposure determination shall be made without regard to the use of personal protective equipment.”
Universal precautions and work practice controls
Universal precautions must be observed to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. Where body fluid types are difficult or impossible to tell apart, all body fluids are treated as potentially infectious materials.
“Universal precautions shall be observed to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. Under circumstances in which differentiation between body fluid types is difficult or impossible, all body fluids shall be considered potentially infectious materials.”
Engineering and work practice controls must be used to eliminate or minimize exposure. Where occupational exposure remains after these controls are in place, PPE must also be used.
“Engineering and work practice controls shall be used to eliminate or minimize employee exposure. Where occupational exposure remains after institution of these controls, personal protective equipment shall also be used.”
Where handwashing facilities are not feasible, the employer must provide an antiseptic hand cleanser with clean cloth or paper towels, or antiseptic towelettes. Hands must then be washed with soap and running water as soon as feasible.
“When provision of handwashing facilities is not feasible, the employer shall provide either an appropriate antiseptic hand cleanser in conjunction with clean cloth/paper towels or antiseptic towelettes. When antiseptic hand cleansers or towelettes are used, hands shall be washed with soap and running water as soon as feasible.”
Contaminated needles and other contaminated sharps must not be bent, recapped or removed unless the employer can demonstrate that no alternative is feasible or that a specific medical or dental procedure requires it. Shearing or breaking contaminated needles is prohibited.
“Contaminated needles and other contaminated sharps shall not be bent, recapped, or removed except as noted in paragraphs (d)(2)(vii)(A) and (d)(2)(vii)(B) below. Shearing or breaking of contaminated needles is prohibited. (A) Contaminated needles and other contaminated sharps shall not be bent, recapped or removed unless the employer can demonstrate that no alternative is feasible or that such action is required by a specific medical or dental procedure.”
When bending, recapping or needle removal is allowed, it must be done with a mechanical device or a one-handed technique.
“Such bending, recapping or needle removal must be accomplished through the use of a mechanical device or a one-handed technique.”
Eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, and handling contact lenses are prohibited in work areas where there is a reasonable likelihood of occupational exposure.
“Eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, and handling contact lenses are prohibited in work areas where there is a reasonable likelihood of occupational exposure.”
Personal protective equipment
When there is occupational exposure, the employer must provide appropriate PPE at no cost to the employee, such as, but not limited to, gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, face shields or masks and eye protection, and mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, pocket masks or other ventilation devices.
“When there is occupational exposure, the employer shall provide, at no cost to the employee, appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, face shields or masks and eye protection, and mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, pocket masks, or other ventilation devices.”
PPE counts as appropriate only if it does not let blood or other potentially infectious materials pass through to or reach the employee's work clothes, street clothes, undergarments, skin, eyes, mouth or other mucous membranes under normal conditions of use and for as long as it will be used.
“Personal protective equipment will be considered “appropriate” only if it does not permit blood or other potentially infectious materials to pass through to or reach the employee's work clothes, street clothes, undergarments, skin, eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes under normal conditions of use and for the duration of time which the protective equipment will be used.”
The employer must ensure the employee uses appropriate PPE, unless the employer shows that the employee temporarily and briefly declined it when, under rare and extraordinary circumstances, it was the employee's professional judgment that in that specific instance its use would have prevented the delivery of health care or public safety services or posed an increased hazard to the safety of the worker or co-worker.
“The employer shall ensure that the employee uses appropriate personal protective equipment unless the employer shows that the employee temporarily and briefly declined to use personal protective equipment when, under rare and extraordinary circumstances, it was the employee's professional judgment that in the specific instance its use would have prevented the delivery of health care or public safety services or would have posed an increased hazard to the safety of the worker or co-worker.”
All PPE must be removed before leaving the work area.
“All personal protective equipment shall be removed prior to leaving the work area.”
Gloves must be worn when it can be reasonably anticipated that the employee may have hand contact with blood, other potentially infectious materials, mucous membranes and non-intact skin; when performing vascular access procedures, except as specified in paragraph (d)(3)(ix)(D); and when handling or touching contaminated items or surfaces.
“Gloves shall be worn when it can be reasonably anticipated that the employee may have hand contact with blood, other potentially infectious materials, mucous membranes, and non-intact skin; when performing vascular access procedures except as specified in paragraph (d)(3)(ix)(D); and when handling or touching contaminated items or surfaces.”
Disposable (single use) gloves must not be washed or decontaminated for re-use.
“Disposable (single use) gloves shall not be washed or decontaminated for re-use.”
Masks together with eye protection (such as goggles or glasses with solid side shields), or chin-length face shields, must be worn whenever splashes, spray, spatter or droplets of blood or other potentially infectious materials may be generated and eye, nose or mouth contamination can be reasonably anticipated.
“Masks in combination with eye protection devices, such as goggles or glasses with solid side shields, or chin-length face shields, shall be worn whenever splashes, spray, spatter, or droplets of blood or other potentially infectious materials may be generated and eye, nose, or mouth contamination can be reasonably anticipated.”
Housekeeping, sharps and regulated waste
The employer must set and carry out a written schedule for cleaning and method of decontamination, based on location in the facility, type of surface, type of soil present, and the tasks or procedures done in the area.
“The employer shall determine and implement an appropriate written schedule for cleaning and method of decontamination based upon the location within the facility, type of surface to be cleaned, type of soil present, and tasks or procedures being performed in the area.”
Contaminated work surfaces must be decontaminated with an appropriate disinfectant after procedures are completed, immediately or as soon as feasible when overtly contaminated or after any spill of blood or other potentially infectious materials, and at the end of the work shift if the surface may have become contaminated since the last cleaning.
“Contaminated work surfaces shall be decontaminated with an appropriate disinfectant after completion of procedures; immediately or as soon as feasible when surfaces are overtly contaminated or after any spill of blood or other potentially infectious materials; and at the end of the work shift if the surface may have become contaminated since the last cleaning.”
Broken glassware that may be contaminated must not be picked up directly with the hands. It must be cleaned up with mechanical means such as a brush and dust pan, tongs or forceps.
“Broken glassware which may be contaminated shall not be picked up directly with the hands. It shall be cleaned up using mechanical means, such as a brush and dust pan, tongs, or forceps.”
Contaminated sharps must be discarded immediately or as soon as feasible in containers that are closable, puncture resistant, leakproof on sides and bottom, and labeled or color-coded.
“Contaminated sharps shall be discarded immediately or as soon as feasible in containers that are: (i) Closable; (ii) Puncture resistant; (iii) Leakproof on sides and bottom; and (iv) Labeled or color-coded in accordance with paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this standard.”
During use, sharps containers must be easily accessible and as close as feasible to where sharps are used or can be reasonably anticipated to be found, kept upright, replaced routinely and not allowed to overfill.
“During use, containers for contaminated sharps shall be: (i) Easily accessible to personnel and located as close as is feasible to the immediate area where sharps are used or can be reasonably anticipated to be found (e.g., laundries); (ii) Maintained upright throughout use; and (iii) Replaced routinely and not be allowed to overfill.”
Contaminated laundry must be bagged or containerized where it was used, and must not be sorted or rinsed in the location of use.
“Contaminated laundry shall be bagged or containerized at the location where it was used and shall not be sorted or rinsed in the location of use.”
Hepatitis B vaccination and post-exposure follow-up
The employer must make the hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination series available to all employees with occupational exposure, and post-exposure evaluation and follow-up available to all employees who have had an exposure incident.
“The employer shall make available the hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination series to all employees who have occupational exposure, and post-exposure evaluation and follow-up to all employees who have had an exposure incident.”
The employer must ensure that all medical evaluations and procedures, including the hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination series and post-exposure evaluation and follow-up (including prophylaxis), are made available at no cost to the employee and at a reasonable time and place.
“The employer shall ensure that all medical evaluations and procedures including the hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination series and post-exposure evaluation and follow-up, including prophylaxis, are: (A) Made available at no cost to the employee; (B) Made available to the employee at a reasonable time and place;”
Hepatitis B vaccination must be made available after the employee has had the required training and within 10 working days of initial assignment to all employees who have occupational exposure, unless the employee already had the complete series, antibody testing shows immunity, or the vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons.
“Hepatitis B vaccination shall be made available after the employee has received the training required in paragraph (g)(2)(vii)(I) and within 10 working days of initial assignment to all employees who have occupational exposure unless the employee has previously received the complete hepatitis B vaccination series, antibody testing has revealed that the employee is immune, or the vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons.”
The employer must not make taking part in a prescreening program a condition for receiving hepatitis B vaccination.
“The employer shall not make participation in a prescreening program a prerequisite for receiving hepatitis B vaccination.”
The employer must make sure that employees who decline the hepatitis B vaccination offered by the employer sign the statement in appendix A.
“The employer shall assure that employees who decline to accept hepatitis B vaccination offered by the employer sign the statement in appendix A.”
If an employee first declines but later, while still covered by the standard, decides to accept the vaccination, the employer must make it available at that time.
“If the employee initially declines hepatitis B vaccination but at a later date while still covered under the standard decides to accept the vaccination, the employer shall make available hepatitis B vaccination at that time.”
After a report of an exposure incident, the employer must immediately make available to the exposed employee a confidential medical evaluation and follow-up, with at least the elements the rule lists.
“Following a report of an exposure incident, the employer shall make immediately available to the exposed employee a confidential medical evaluation and follow-up, including at least the following elements:”
The employer must obtain the evaluating healthcare professional's written opinion and give the employee a copy within 15 days of the completion of the evaluation.
“The employer shall obtain and provide the employee with a copy of the evaluating healthcare professional's written opinion within 15 days of the completion of the evaluation.”
Not covered here
The U.S. Public Health Service recommendations the rule refers to for vaccination, boosters and post-exposure prophylaxis. They are not part of the regulation text. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Labels, signs and training
Warning labels must be attached to containers of regulated waste, refrigerators and freezers holding blood or other potentially infectious material, and other containers used to store, transport or ship them, except where paragraphs (g)(1)(i)(E), (F) and (G) provide otherwise.
“Warning labels shall be affixed to containers of regulated waste, refrigerators and freezers containing blood or other potentially infectious material; and other containers used to store, transport or ship blood or other potentially infectious materials, except as provided in paragraph (g)(1)(i)(E), (F) and (G).”
The labels must be fluorescent orange or orange-red, or predominantly so, with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color.
“These labels shall be fluorescent orange or orange-red or predominantly so, with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color.”
Red bags or red containers may be used instead of labels.
“Red bags or red containers may be substituted for labels.”
The employer must train each employee with occupational exposure in line with this section. The training must be at no cost to the employee and during working hours.
“The employer shall train each employee with occupational exposure in accordance with the requirements of this section. Such training must be provided at no cost to the employee and during working hours.”
Training must be given when the employee is first assigned to tasks where occupational exposure may take place, and at least annually after that.
“Training shall be provided as follows: (A) At the time of initial assignment to tasks where occupational exposure may take place; (B) At least annually thereafter.”
Annual training must be provided within one year of the employee's previous training.
“Annual training for all employees shall be provided within one year of their previous training.”
One of the elements the training program must contain is an opportunity for interactive questions and answers with the person conducting the training session.
“An opportunity for interactive questions and answers with the person conducting the training session.”
Not covered here
The legend that the labels must include and the biohazard symbol. They appear as an image in the eCFR, not in the text this guide was built from. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Recordkeeping
The employer must ensure that employee medical records required by paragraph (h)(1) are kept confidential and are not disclosed or reported without the employee's express written consent to anyone inside or outside the workplace, except as this section or law requires.
“The employer shall ensure that employee medical records required by paragraph (h)(1) are: (A) Kept confidential; and (B) Not disclosed or reported without the employee's express written consent to any person within or outside the workplace except as required by this section or as may be required by law.”
Under paragraph (h)(1) (Medical records), the employer must keep the records required by paragraph (h) for at least the duration of employment plus 30 years, in line with 29 CFR 1910.1020.
“The employer shall maintain the records required by paragraph (h) for at least the duration of employment plus 30 years in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020.”
Training records must be kept for 3 years from the date the training occurred.
“Training records shall be maintained for 3 years from the date on which the training occurred.”
The employer must keep a sharps injury log of percutaneous injuries from contaminated sharps, recorded so as to protect the injured employee's confidentiality.
“The employer shall establish and maintain a sharps injury log for the recording of percutaneous injuries from contaminated sharps. The information in the sharps injury log shall be recorded and maintained in such manner as to protect the confidentiality of the injured employee.”
The sharps injury log requirement applies to any employer required to keep a log of occupational injuries and illnesses under 29 CFR part 1904.
“The requirement to establish and maintain a sharps injury log shall apply to any employer who is required to maintain a log of occupational injuries and illnesses under 29 CFR part 1904.”
Not covered here
The contents of 29 CFR 1910.1020 and 29 CFR part 1904, which this section points to for medical records, transfer of records and the sharps injury log retention period. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Sources
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
Other OSHA General Industry study guides: Walking-working surfaces, Exit routes and emergency planning, Fire protection, Electrical safety, Personal protective equipment, Hazardous materials, Permit-required confined spaces, Lockout/tagout, Machine guarding, Welding, cutting and brazing, Electric power generation, transmission and distribution, Powered industrial trucks (forklifts), Materials handling and storage, Occupational noise exposure