OSHA Standards for Bloodborne PathogensIn 1991, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) promulgated the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard . This standard is designed to protect approximately 5.6 million workers in the healthcare and related occupations from the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Show
The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard has numerous requirements, including the development of an Exposure Control Plan. The Standard also includes rules specific to certain types of wastes generated at healthcare facilities, termed “regulated waste.” Regulated waste includes blood and items contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). This section of the HERC Center contains a summary of OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standards relating to regulated waste.
DefinitionsWhat is an Exposure Control Plan? The exposure control plan must contain at a minimum:
What does OSHA mean by the term "regulated waste"?
It is the employer's responsibility to determine the existence of regulated waste. This determination should not based on actual volume of blood, but rather on the potential to release blood, (e.g., when compacted in the waste container). If an OSHA inspector determines that sufficient evidence of regulated waste exists, either through observation, (e.g., a pool of liquid in the bottom of a container, dried blood flaking off during handling), or based on employee interviews, citations may be issued. OSHA has provided some additional guidance for the determination of regulated waste. OSHA stated that bandages which are not saturated to the point of releasing blood or OPIM if compressed would not be considered as regulated waste. Similarly, discarded feminine hygiene products do not normally meet the criteria for regulated waste as defined by the standard. Beyond these guidelines, it is the employer's responsibility to determine the existence of regulated waste. Management of SharpsHow should sharps containers be handled?
Where should sharps containers be located? In areas, such as correctional facilities and psychiatric units, there may be difficulty placing sharps containers in the immediate use area. If a mobile cart is used in these areas, an alternative would be to lock the sharps container in the cart. What type of container should be purchased to dispose of sharps? For more information on sharps containers and proper placement, see Selecting, Evaluating and Using Sharps Containers, a guidance document issued by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (Figure 1 on page 12 of the document shows measurements for proper placement). How do I dispose of regulated waste? In addition to state rules for disposing of regulated waste, there are basic OSHA requirements that protect workers. The OSHA rules state that regulated waste must be placed in containers which are:
OSHA has no specific requirement for hospitals or other healthcare facilities to treat (e.g., autoclave) waste before disposal. Such rules are usually published by state agencies ( Go to HERC Regulated Medical Waste Locator ). Communication of Hazard to EmployeesWhen are labels required? What are the required colors for the labels? Can there be substitutes for the labels? What are the exceptions to the labeling requirement?
*A note concerning Specimen Bags: Some healthcare facilities use plastic bags to transport specimen containers from patient care areas to in-house laboratories. The healthcare facilities label the plastic bag "biohazard" and dispose of the plastic bag as infectious waste. If not contaminated, the plastic transport bags are not considered infectious waste and may be disposed of as solid waste. However, if the bags are labeled "biohazard," healthcare facilities run the risk that the solid waste hauler might refuse to transport the waste because of the belief that the bags are infectious. Biohazard labeled plastic bags used as secondary containment for internal transport of specimens is not required by OSHA. The labeling exemption, listed in 29 CFR 1910.1030 (d)(2)(xii)(A) of the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens, applies to facilities that handle all specimens with Universal Precautions, provided the containers are recognizable as containing specimens. The exemption applies only while these specimens remain within the facility. If the specimens leave the facility, a label or red color-coding is required. In addition, secondary containers or bags are only required if the primary container is contaminated on the outside. Does OSHA accept Department of Transportation's (DOT) labels for waste and specimens which will be shipped or transported? DOT labeling is required on some transport containers (i.e., those containing "known infectious substances"). It is not required on all containers for which 29 CFR 1910.1030 requires the biohazard label. Where there is an overlap between the OSHA-mandated label and the DOT-required label, the DOT label will be considered acceptable on the outside of the transport container provided the OSHA-mandated label appears on any internal containers which may be present. Containers serving as collection receptacles within a facility must bear the OSHA label since these are not covered by the DOT requirements. TrainingWhich employees must be trained? Should part-time and temporary
employees be trained? Who has the responsibility for training workers employed by agencies which provide personnel (e.g., nurses) to other employers? In the context of OSHA's standard on Bloodborne Pathogens, the personnel provider would be required to provide the general training outlined in the standard, the client employer would be responsible for providing site-specific training. The contract between the personnel provider and the client should clearly describe the training responsibilities of both parties in order to ensure that all training requirements of the standard are met. What are the qualifications that a person must possess in order to conduct employee training regarding bloodborne pathogens? Where could information be obtained for conducting training on the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard? Who are some examples of persons who could conduct training on the bloodborne standard? What type of agency issues and enforces rules and regulations with which dental practices must comply?The ADA sets standards for nearly every tool of dentistry, ensuring their safety, reliability and efficacy for dentists and the public.
Which regulatory agency ensures the safety and health of American workers?Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA administers the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act. Safety and health conditions in most private industries are regulated by OSHA or OSHA-approved state plans.
Which agency is the most important for a dental professional to include when conducting research?National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
What is the primary role of the CDC in dentistry?The role of CDC is to provide guidelines and recommendations related to infection prevention in dental health care settings. Dentists are licensed by their state regulatory body to practice dentistry and should practice according to regulations and policies identified in their state dental practice acts.
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