Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 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) At the Field: Health care workers (phlebotomists) were exposed to the hazard of being infected by Hepatitis B Virus and/or Human Immunodeficiency virus and other microorganisms capable of producing bloodborne diseases, through possible direct contact with blood or other body fluids. Employees were allowed to recap needles by hand, before disposal, without using safe techniques. Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard among others, are: the use of some resheathing instruments, self sheathing needles, use of forceps, or sharps containers.