Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: BLOODBORNE

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees: A) An effective training program which would limit the risk of employees contracting blood-born diseases was not being followed. Health care workers (phlebotomists) were exposed to the hazard of being infected by Hepatitis B virus, Human Immonodeficiency Virus, and other microorganisms capable of preducing bloodborn diseases through possible direct contact with blood or other body fluids. Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard, among others, are: Training and Education of Health Care Workers. All high risk health care workers should receive education on: precautionary measures, epidemiology, modes of transmission and precaution of Hepatitis B/Human Immonodeficiency Virus, possible risks to the fetus from HBV/HIV and other associated infectious agents, potential needle sticks during phlebotomy, splashes to the face, mouth, eyes, and body when working with body fluids and skin contact when cleaning up spills, location and proper use of personal protective equipment, proper work practices and understood the concept of "Universal Precautions" as it applies to their work practices.