Bloodborne Pathogens

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard applies to all employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).

Occupational exposure is defined as 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.
Blood is defined as human blood, human blood components and products made from human blood.
Other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) is defined as the following: saliva in dental procedures; semen; vaginal secretions; cerebrospinal, synovial, pleural, pericardial, peritoneal and amniotic fluids; body fluids visibly contaminated with blood; along with all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids; unfixed human tissues or organs (other than intact skin); HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures, organ cultures and HIV- or HBV-containing culture media or other solutions; and blood, organs or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV.

Bloodborne Pathogens Training

OSHA requires all employees who have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens receive initial and annual training.

Laboratory Personnel

All laboratory personnel with an occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) must complete the training course Bloodborne Pathogens for Labs. This includes researchers conducting experiments involving human-derived materials, such as human blood, body fluids, unfixed tissues, cell lines or other potentially infectious materials that may contain bloodborne pathogens.

Non-Laboratory Personnel

Personnel with an occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens as result of performing their job duties that DO NOT work in a laboratory must contact Buddy Harley at wharley@mailbox.sc.edu for bloodborne pathogens training guidance.