Needlestick Information

Needlestick injuries and other sharps-related injuries which expose workers to bloodborne pathogens continues to be an important public health concern. Workers in many different occupations are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS. First aid team members, housekeeping personnel in some settings, nurses and other healthcare providers are examples of workers who may be at risk of exposure.

Bloodborne Pathogens is addressed in standards specifically for the general industry.

OSHA Standards

This section highlights the OSHA standard requirements, preambles to final rules (background to final rules), directives (instructions for compliance officers), and standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards) related to bloodborne pathogens and needlestick prevention. Note: Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens.

Revisions to 1910.1030 as a result of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act:

Paragraph 1910.1030(d)(2)(i) requires the use of engineering and work practice controls to eliminate or minimize employee exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Employers must keep a Sharps Injury Log for the recording of percutaneous injuries from contaminated sharps [1910.1030(h)(5)(i)].
The Exposure Control Plan (1910.1030(c)(1)(i)) shall:

Reflect changes in technology that eliminate or reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens [1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(A)].

Document annually consideration and implementation of appropriate commercially available and effective safer medical devices designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure [1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B)].

Solicit input from non-managerial employees responsible for direct patient care, who are potentially exposed to injuries from contaminated sharps, in the identification, evaluation, and selection of effective engineering and work practice controls and shall document the solicitation in the Exposure Control Plan [1910.1030(c)(1)(v)].

Appendix A, Hepatitis B vaccine declination (Mandatory).

The following information provides discussion on the revised standard:

Revision to OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard - Technical Background and Summary. OSHA, (2001, April). Includes revised information regarding the identification, evaluation, and selection of effective engineering controls, including safer medical devices.
Most frequently asked questions concerning the bloodborne pathogens standard. OSHA Standard Interpretation, (1993, February 1; corrected 2003, August 13). Responses to common questions about the bloodborne pathogens standard.

Frequently Asked Questions. OSHA. Provides questions and answers to some commonly asked questions regarding needlestick hazards and prevention.

Frequently Asked Questions: Bloodborne Pathogens. OSHA. Provides answers and additional information to frequently asked questions regarding bloodborne pathogen hazards.

Frequently Asked Questions: OSHA’s Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) and Smallpox Vaccination Programs. OSHA. Provides answers to questions concerning the safe administration of vaccines.

Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens; Needlestick and Other Sharps Injuries; Final Rule. OSHA Federal Register Final Rules 66:5317-5325, (2001, January 18). Also available as a 450 KB PDF, 9 pages. OSHA revised the Bloodborne Pathogens standard in conformance with the requirements of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act.

Bloodborne Pathogens [63 KB PDF*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet, (2002).

Needlestick Legislation

Overview of State Needle Safety Legislation. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). As of June 2002, twenty-two states have enacted legislation related to needle safety.

Needlestick Prevention and Safety Act. 106th Congress - Public Law 106-430, (2000). The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act became Public Law 106-430 on November 6, 2000.