NCJ Number
141859
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 41 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1993) Pages: 43-48
Date Published
1993
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The Bloodborne Pathogen Standard imposed on employers last year by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration includes stringent requirements to protect employees from disease resulting from occupational contact with blood and other body fluids.
Abstract
Although aimed mainly at the health care industry, the standard also affects law enforcement personnel and other public safety workers because of their involvement in activities that place them in contact with dangerous, potentially infectious materials. Although AIDS is the disease generating the most public concern, serum hepatitis is of equal if not greater concern. The standard considers occupational exposure to be any reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious material. The standard requires an exposure control plan, the development of methods of compliance, hepatitis B vaccinations, post-exposure procedures, hazard warning labels, training, and documentation. Methods of compliance include universal precautions, work practice controls, personal protective equipment, and cleaning and decontamination. Employers who do not comply can be fined and, in some States, shut down. List of sources of further information