NCJ Number
139142
Date Published
1992
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) promulgated regulations in March 1992 to protect public safety employees from HIV and other bloodborne pathogens; the regulations are mandatory in 23 States with OSHA plans and are strongly recommended for all other public safety agencies throughout the United States.
Abstract
Law enforcement officers should have a good working knowledge of the OSHA regulations in order to assess their risk of infection and the adequacy of preventive procedures and equipment available to them on the job. The regulations cover employees who can reasonably be expected to have contact with blood or other body secretions, and employers are required to identify these employees in writing. The regulations are based on universal precautions promulgated by the Centers for Disease Control that stipulate all human blood and body fluids are potentially infectious for HIV and other bloodborne pathogens. In addition, the regulations emphasize engineering and workplace controls to reduce the risk of occupational exposure and stress worker training and appropriate housekeeping and recordkeeping protocols. The exposure of public safety employees to Hepatitis B (HBV) is discussed, and HBV prevention guidelines are listed that focus on the establishment of an exposure control plan, engineering and work practice controls, personal protective equipment, housekeeping, vaccination, evaluation, treatment, labels and signs, and information and training.