Blood and other potentially infectious materials pose a serious threat to employees who are exposed to these materials. Injuries from contaminated needles and other sharps have been associated with an increased risk of disease from more than 20 infectious agents. The primary agents of concern in current occupational settings are the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV).

To reduce the health risk to workers whose duties involve exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, OSHA issued the Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) on December 6, 1991 (56 FR 64004). The provisions of the standard were based on the agency's determination that a combination of engineering and work practice controls, personal protective equipment, training, medical surveillance, hepatitis B vaccinations, signs and labels, and other requirements would minimize the risk of disease transmission.

This course explains the requirements for complying with this standard as well as provides practical information on the various diseases and protection strategies associated with bloodborne pathogens. The course incorporates the 2001 OSHA revisions to the standard that were made in compliance with the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act.