With the global COVID19 crisis showing no sign of letting up, it’s helpful to recognize that there are already standards and protocols in place that are proven to help us mitigate and control exposures to pathogens and infections, for example, the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard, and other 29CFR 1910 workplace standards.
The focus of this longer form article is not Covid specifically – we will be summarizing the current OSHA training requirements that apply to the management, control, and reduction of COVID19.
This will include some useful and relevant information that everyone can apply in their daily lives to feel safer and better prepared.
Bloodborne Pathogens Explained
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms like viruses that exist in human blood and can cause disease.
These pathogens include the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV).
These three types are the most common bloodborne pathogens, but there are many other types including Human-T-Lymphotropic Virus 1 (HTLV), Syphilis, and Brucellosis, these are much rarer, especially in the United States.
Many assume that only healthcare team employees can be exposed to bloodborne pathogens, but this is actually far from the case.
In fact workers in many occupations may be at a risk of exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens.
Bloodborne Pathogens Transmission
Infection via a blood borne pathogen happens thru direct contact with contaminated blood, blood products or other potentially infectious materials – also known as OPIM.
Specific ways that infection can occur include contact with blood from needles or other exposed sharps, blood transfusions containing unscreened blood, and transmission from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth.
Some bloodborne pathogens can also be transmitted via contact with other bodily fluids such as amniotic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, , semen, and vaginal fluid.
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Training Information
Everyone wants to be employed in a safe environment, but unfortunately, some employment unavoidably exposes workers to dangerous and potentially infectious materials that can contain blood borne pathogens. This risk also holds true for other pathogens, and the concepts in the bloodborne pathogens training , in many cases, also apply to reducing the spread of Corona Virus for example.
It is up to each employer to determine the employees who are covered under the OSHA standard.
The employer can do this by checking if a particular role entails any occupational exposure.
Although it’s up to the individual employer to make exposure determinations, the OSHA 1910 standard and training is designed to be universal and if it is later found that an employee was exposed – the employer will potentially face huge OSHA fines and legal actions as recourse.
Bloodborne Pathogens OSHA Training
The aim of all OSHA safety training is to keep employees safe.
The job role and exposure determination should decide which type of free Bloodborne pathogens training and other courses is appropriate.
After completing the chosen training, employees will gain OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Certification for 1 year – the time limit specified by OSHA.
Other OSHA Training
The aim of all OSHA safety training is to keep employees safe.
The particular job role and exposure determination should decide which type of Bloodborne pathogens and other courses are appropriate depending on which OSHA 29CFR.1910 standards apply to the industry and role.
After completing the chosen OSHA free training, employees will gain OSHA Certification for the period specified in the appropriate standard, either with no expiry, for1 year, or for 3 years – the time limits specified by OSHA. Note that if the job role, functions, tools or other aspects of the job change retraining will also be required in line with the OSHA online certification free standard.
