Bloodborne Pathogens in the Workplace

Upon completing this program, participants will be able to:

• Identify bloodborne pathogens and transmission routes: HBV (most infectious, vaccine-preventable, survives on surfaces up to 7 days), HCV (most common, no vaccine, chronic infection risk), HIV (least infectious of the three, no vaccine, treatment advances), and the transmission routes (percutaneous — needlestick/sharps; mucous membrane; non-intact skin) that define occupational exposure.
• Develop and maintain the Exposure Control Plan: exposure determination by job classification, the schedule and method for implementing each provision (universal precautions, engineering controls, PPE, vaccination, post-exposure, housekeeping), and the annual review and update requirement.
• Apply universal/standard precautions: treating all blood and OPIM as infectious regardless of the source individual’s perceived infection status, and the work practices that prevent contact with blood and OPIM.
• Implement engineering controls for sharps safety: sharps containers (placement, fill level, replacement), self-sheathing needles, needleless IV systems, blunt suture needles, and the annual review of engineering controls with frontline employee input per the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act.
• Select and use PPE: gloves (when to wear, when to change, proper removal), gowns/aprons, face shields and eye protection, masks, and the PPE selection based on the type and anticipated amount of exposure.
• Manage the HBV vaccination programme: offering the three-dose HBV vaccine at no cost within 10 working days of assignment, informed declination, post-vaccination antibody testing, and the employer obligation to make the vaccine available regardless of employee acceptance.
• Execute post-exposure procedures: immediate wound care (wash with soap and water, flush mucous membranes), exposure incident reporting, source individual identification and consent for testing, exposed employee baseline blood collection, post-exposure prophylaxis referral, and the healthcare professional’s written opinion.

Core Curriculum Topics

• Bloodborne Pathogens: HBV, HCV, HIV — transmission, infectivity, survival, disease progression
• Exposure Determination: job classifications with occupational exposure, tasks and procedures
• Exposure Control Plan: required elements, implementation schedule, annual review
• Universal/Standard Precautions: treating all blood and OPIM as infectious
• Engineering Controls: sharps containers, self-sheathing needles, needleless systems, annual review
• Work Practice Controls: hand washing, specimen handling, food/drink restrictions in exposure areas
• PPE: gloves, gowns, face/eye protection, selection based on anticipated exposure
• HBV Vaccination: three-dose series, 10-day availability, declination, antibody testing
• Post-Exposure Procedures: wound care, reporting, source testing, baseline collection, prophylaxis
• Decontamination: surface cleaning (10% bleach or EPA-registered tuberculocidal), laundry, regulated waste
• Sharps Injury Log: date, description, department — maintained for 5 years
• Labels and Signs: biohazard labels, red bags, fluorescent orange-red, sharps container marking
• Annual Training: required content, timing, documentation

• No prior training required
• No academic degree required
• All instruction in English; working proficiency required

Upon completion, graduates receive an American Institute of Safety Professionals certificate, wallet card, and transcript. Employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

• Healthcare workers with direct patient contact
• First aid responders and CPR/AED providers in any workplace
• Janitorial and housekeeping staff who clean blood spills
• Laboratory workers handling blood specimens
• Law enforcement and corrections officers with exposure risk
• Tattoo artists and body piercers
• Any employee designated in the exposure determination

• Bloodborne Pathogens — YOU ARE HERE (OSHA 1910.1030)
• Biological Health Hazards in Construction (construction-specific biological hazards)
• Hazard Communication (BBP labelling and biohazard communication)
• International Diploma in Healthcare EVS Management (BBP within healthcare EVS)