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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 693-1999
A new directive issued today by the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration will help minimize serious health risks faced by workers
exposed to blood and other potentially infectious materials. Among the risks
are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
The directive guides OSHA's compliance officers in
enforcing the standard that covers occupational exposure to bloodborne
pathogens and ensures consistent inspection procedures are followed. It updates
an earlier directive issued in 1992 and reflects the availability of improved
devices, better treatment following exposure and OSHA policy interpretations.
"We must do everything we can to protect workers who may be
at risk of exposure to bloodborne diseases," said Secretary of Labor Alexis M.
Herman. "This directive doesn't place new requirements on employers, but it
does recognize and emphasize the advances made in medical technology. And it
reminds employers that they must use readily-available technology in their
safety and health programs."
The revised directive emphasizes the importance of an
annual review of the employer's bloodborne pathogens program and the use of
safer medical devices to help reduce needlesticks and other sharps injuries.
OSHA does not advocate the use of one particular medical device over another.
The directive also highlights basic work practices, personal protective
equipment and administrative controls.
The emphasis on engineering controls results from OSHA's
request last year for ideas and recommendations on ways to better protect
workers from contaminated needles or other sharp objects.
"We received nearly 400 comments from health care
facilities, workers and others," said OSHA Administrator Charles N. Jeffress.
"They told us that safe medical devices already available are effective in
controlling hazards and that wider use of such devices would reduce thousands
of injuries each year."
The revised directive also includes detailed instructions
to compliance officers on inspections of multi-employer worksites, such as home
health services, employment agencies, personnel services, physicians and health
care professionals in independent practices and independent contractors.
Also included in the directive are decontamination
requirements, guidelines on hepatitis vaccinations and post exposure
treatments, and employee training.
OSHA issued a final regulation on occupational exposure to
bloodborne pathogens in 1991 to protect nearly six million workers in health
care and related occupations at risk of exposure to bloodborne diseases.
Jeffress said the agency will review the standard to determine whether its
revision is warranted.
The directive can be accessed from the OSHA home page at
under the "Directives" link. Copies can also
be obtained from the agency's publications office by calling (202) 693-1888.
Highlights of OSHA's Compliance Directive CPL 2-2.44D
Enforcement Procedures for the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne
Pathogens
OSHA first published the bloodborne pathogens standard in
1991 because of a significant health risk associated with occupational exposure
to blood and other potentially infectious materials that may contain bloodborne
pathogens-- or microorganisms -- that cause bloodborne diseases. The compliance
directive detailing enforcement procedures for the standard was published on
March 6, 1992 (the effective date of the standard).
During the past seven years, significant medical advances
have occurred that help control bloodborne pathogens. In addition, OSHA has
clarified the standard through written interpretations. The emerging
technology, coupled with new information on the control of bloodborne
pathogens, necessitated a revision in the compliance directive. Following is a
summary of some of the key revisions.
- Annual Review of Exposure Control Plan -- employers must ensure that
their plans reflect consideration and use of commercially available safer
medical devices.
- Engineering Controls and Work Practices -- emphasizes the use of
effective engineering controls, to include safer medical devices, work
practices, administrative controls and personal protective equipment.
- Emphasizes that employers should rely on relevant evidence in
addition to FDA approval to ensure effectiveness of devices designed to prevent
exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
- Multi-Employer Worksites -- focuses on employment agencies,
personnel services, home health services, independent contractors, and
physicians in independent practice.
- Adds most recent guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control on
vaccinations against the Hepatitis B virus. Incorporates CDC's guidelines on
post exposure evaluation and follow-up for HIV and the Hepatitis C virus.
- Requires effective training and education for employees whenever
safer devices are implemented. Stresses "interactive" training sessions rather
than just the use of films or videos that do not provide the opportunity for
discussion with a qualified trainer.
- Replaces and updates appendices. Includes the following: examples of
committees in health care facilities; sample engineering control evaluation
forms; an Internet resource list; a "fill-in-the-blanks" sample exposure
control plan; and CDC guidelines pertaining to HIV exposure, control and
prevention of hepatitis C, and hepatitis B vaccinations.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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