Bloodborne Pathogens for Research and Campus Activities

UNV-5.2

Exposure to substances that could contain infectious agents is a common hazard for laboratory and research workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), recognizes that many employees come in contact with human blood or other potentially infectious materials during daily duties and thus are potentially exposed to this occupational hazard. OSHA’s bloodborne pathogen standard has served as the basis for implementing policies and practices to minimize workers’ risk of exposure to BBP's, specifically to the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This course will teach employees and students about the hazards of bloodborne pathogens in the workplace and the basic controls required under OSHA’s bloodborne pathogen standard. Workers will learn how to identify major bloodborne diseases and symptoms, how pathogens are transmitted and the basics of exposure prevention and incident response and cleanup. This awareness-level course is intended for students and employees working in a university or other educational setting who may be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) at any time during the performance of their regular job duties. While this course addresses OSHA training requirements, there may be a site-specific training component required that must be fulfilled by an employer.