The application of the Personal Protective Equipment standard to PPE hazard assessment and training for laboratory and clinical health care workers.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

January 23, 1995

David R. Miller, Ph.D.
Director Office of Environmental Safety
Baylor College of Medicine
One Baylor Plaza Houston, Texas 77030-3498

Dear Mr. Miller:

The potential for the transmission of HIV from contact with urine specimens.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

April 15, 1996

[Name Withheld]

Dear [Name Withheld]:

This is in response to your letter of January 9, addressed to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) concerning the potential for the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from contact with urine specimens during handling and transport.

Hazards of Smoke Generated from Surgical Procedures

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

April 18, 1996

Julie Thompson, R.N., M.S.N., CNOR
Assistant Director
University of Texas Medical Branch
Perioperative Nursing
301 University Boulevard
Galveston, Texas 77555-0589

Dear Ms. Thompson:

OSHA Guidelines for Medical Practices.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

May 7, 1996

The Honorable Bob Graham
Unites States Senator
Post Office Box 3050
Tallahassee, Florida 32315

Dear Senator Graham:

This is in further response to your letter of January 31, on behalf of your constituent, Dr. David M. Mokotoff, of Bay Area Heart Center concerning the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030).

EPA-Registered disinfectants for HIV/HBV.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

February 28, 1997

 

 

Eating and drinking in area where potentially infectious material exists.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

March 21, 1992

The Honorable Larry E. Craig
United States Senate
Attention: Nicole L. Gaul
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Craig:

This is in response to your letter of March 2, addressed to the former Assistant Secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Gerard Scannell. You wrote on behalf of your constituent, Dr. S. C. Taylor.

Dr. Taylor was concerned that 29 CFR 1910.1030, "Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens", prohibited "drinking of coffee and eating of food in our office".

Is a physician's order required before performing blood testing on a source individual after consent is obtained.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

April 26, 1994

Susan Stapel, R.N.
Whitley County Memorial Hospital
353 North Oak Street
Columbia City, Indiana 46725

Dear Ms. Stapel:

This is in response to your letter received November 29, 1993, regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 29 CFR 1910.1030 "Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne pathogens." We apologize for the delay in this response.

Requirement to obtain a healthcare professional's written opinion in the "pre-exposure vaccination setting."

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

December 2, 1996

David Gude, M.D.
Director of Professional Services
Texas MedClinic
204 East Rhapsody Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78216

Dear Dr. Gude:

Thank you for your letter dated October 15, where you raised an issue relating to the Occupational Safety and Health's Administration (OSHA) standard on Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens. You have asked about the specific requirement to obtain a healthcare professional's written opinion in the "pre-exposure vaccination setting."

The employer should make the determination whether the reusable or the disposable device better satisfies requirements of Bloodborne Pathogens standard.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

April 25, 1994

Mr. Jeff Hennelly
Strategic Manager
Mallinckrodt Medical TPI, Inc.
263 Zvarick Road
Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426

Dear Mr. Hennelly:

Thank you for your letter of March 29, 1993, in which you requested that OSHA provide an opinion concerning two different methods of inner cannula care, the disposable cannula and the reusable cannula.

Whether containers which meet the criteria of the U.S. Department of Transportation Infectious Substance Regulations.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

April 7, 1994

F. Edwin Froelich, M.D., J.D.
Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge
2300 N Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037

Dear Dr. Froelich: