• A set of laws and regulations protect employees from bloodborne pathogens in the workplace.
• The core regulation that protects employees from bloodborne pathogens is 29 CFR 1910.1030.
• Other regulations specifically cover topics including recordkeeping, workers at hazardous waste sites and in the construction industry, and biohazard signs and tags.

The laws and regulations laid out here work to protect employees from bloodborne pathogens. The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) is the core regulation, but others apply as well.

29 CFR 1910.1030

While several regulations relate to bloodborne pathogens, one regulation stands out to provide comprehensive protections for covered employees. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) is a general industry and shipyard regulation that prescribes safeguards to protect workers against health hazards related to bloodborne pathogens.

Section 1910.1030 is considered the core regulation for bloodborne pathogen exposure prevention, control, and response. It has provisions for the following:

• An exposure control plan,
• Engineering and work practice controls,
• Personal protective equipment,
• Housekeeping,
• Hepatitis B vaccination,
• Training, and
• Recordkeeping.

The standard imposes requirements on employers of workers who may be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), such as certain body fluids and tissues.