What Is OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Training?

  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, more often known as OSHA, regulates standards that protect employees from illness and injury. To maintain OSHA compliance, many businesses have to offer training courses to at-risk members of their teams. One of the courses you may not be familiar with is bloodborne pathogen training. What are bloodborne pathogens, and What is Bloodborne Pathogens Training? Read through this concise guide to find out.

What Are Bloodborne Pathogens?

Bloodborne pathogens are also known as BBPs. They're disease-causing microbes that spread through blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). The "OPIM" category includes blood serum, cerebrospinal fluid, joint capsule and organ fluid, and amniotic fluid. It also covers sexually transmitted fluids like semen and vaginal secretions. The three most common bloodborne pathogens professionals encounter in the workplace are liver diseases Hepatitis B and C, and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

What Is OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Training?

OSHA's concern with bloodborne pathogens is preventing their spread in the workplace. They especially focus on avoiding accidental exposures like needle stick injuries. Our compliance course covers all of OSHA's standard procedures as well as relevant information from the CDC. The topics students will learn about include:

• what defines a bloodborne pathogen
• ways that BBPs spread
• preventing the spread of BBPs
• the three most common BBP infections (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV)
• what Universal and Standard Precautions are and how to apply them
• OSHA's BBP standards
• using personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent BBP spread
• work practice and engineering controls
• how to handle a potential BBP exposure

Once they're done with the one-hour course, students will take a comprehensive exam. Those that pass with a score of 80% or higher will get a certificate of completion and be eligible for 0.1 CEUs.

Who Needs Training on Bloodborne Pathogens?

Most people would agree that doctors, nurses, first responders, and other patient care providers should get OSHA BBP training. What you might not know is that many people who don't provide medical care need to be trained as well. These roles include:

• medical laboratory and equipment techs
• aides in nursing homes, rehab facilities, and in at-home healthcare
• dental teams
• law enforcement and police officers
• housekeepers, janitors, and laundry teams
• blood and tissue bank staff
• blood drive volunteers
• school employees
• morticians and funeral home employees
• tattoo and piercing artists
• managers of factories and industrial sites

In essence, anyone who might come in contact with blood, bodily fluids, or contaminated items in their line of work should receive BBP training.

Getting OSHA Training on Bloodborne Pathogens for Your Workplace

Bloodborne pathogens like hepatitis and HIV can cause serious illnesses. Thankfully, with the right education and precautions, even people working in high-risk environments can minimize their chance of infection. Do you need to organize bloodborne pathogens training for yourself or your workplace? HIPAA Exams offers an IACET accredited Bloodborne Pathogens training course that covers both CDC and OSHA standards for handling blood and OPIM. Visit our site to order a class for yourself or take advantage of our competitive bulk pricing.