Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens-Precautions for Emergency211 Responders

摘要

There are approximately 5.6 million workers in health care and other facilities211u001ewho are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens such as the human 211u001eimmunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and other 211u001epotentially infectious materials. The Occupational safety and Health 211u001eAdministration recognizes the need for a regulation that prescribes safeguards to 211u001eprotect workers against the health hazards from exposure to blood and certain 211u001ebody fluids containing bloodborne pathogens, and to reduce their risk to this 211u001eexposure. This booklet will help employers and employees in emergency response 211u001esettings understand and comply with OSHAs regulation on bloodborne pathogens. The 211u001efollowing sections outline and summarize the requirements of the standard and 211u001einform emergency responders and law enforcement and corrections employers and 211u001eemployees of the risks of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens and how 211u001eto reduce these risks. Full implementation of the standard not only will prevent 211u001ehepatitis B cases, but also will significantly reduce the risk of workers 211u001econtracting acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or other bloodborne 211u001ediseases.