Doctors required to wear gloves while fitting patients with contact lenses.

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

John C. Whitener, O.D., M.P.H.
American Optometric Association
1505 Prince Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Dear Mr. Whitener:

Thank you for your letter of March 15, concerning the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030. You asked whether doctors are required to wear gloves while fitting patients with contact lenses.

Exposure of trainers and team physicians to body fluids.

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 27, 1993

Herbert Haupt, M.D.
American Orthopaedic Society
for Sports Medicine
c/o Missouri Baptist Hospital
Diagnostic Center
3009 North Ballas Road, Suite 105
St. Louis, MO 63131

Dear Dr. Haupt:

Bloodborne pathogen standard's applicability to employees of summer camps and conference/retreat centers

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.

October 1, 1992

Ms. Margery M. Scanlin, Ed.D.
Division Director
American Camping Association, Inc.
5000 State Road 67 North
Martinsville, IN 46151-7902

Dear Dr. Scanlin:

This is in response to your inquiry of May 7, concerning the applicability of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation, 29 CFR 1910.1030, "Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens." Specifically, you asked about coverage of employees of summer camps and conference/retreat centers. We apologize for the delay in this response.

Approval and selection of medical devices to minimize employee exposure.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

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 4, 1998

The Honorable Dick Armey
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20215

Dear Congressman Armey:

Janitorial employees exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

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.

June 3, 1992

Mr. Joel I. Keiler
Ammerman & Keiler
5225 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Suite 502
Washington, D.C. 20015

Dear Mr. Keiler:

This is in response to your letter of April 29, in which you requested a clarification on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 29 CFR 1910.1030, "Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens". You wrote regarding the coverage of janitorial employees under the standard.

Bloodborne pathogens.

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 16, 1992

Ms. Maureen M. Gritz
Director Quality Assurance
Martin Memorial Hospital
Post Office Box 9010
Stuart, Florida 34995

Dear Ms. Gritz:

This is in response to your letter of February 24, addressed to Dan Mick, Office of the Solicitor. You requested clarification concerning a training requirement in 29 CFR 1910.1030, "Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens".

Training requirements for maintenance of housekeeping personnel.

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.

August 12, 1992

Mr. Kenneth D. Smith
Assistant Manager, Casualty Risk Control Services
Sedgwick James of Michigan, Inc.
3001 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 700
Troy, Michigan 48084-3164

Dear Mr. Smith:

This is in response to your inquiry of June 30, concerning the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response final rule (HAZWOPER), 29 CFR 1910.120.

Safety syringe and disposal fixtures products.

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.

August 12, 1992

Mr. Robert G. Jullienv Jullien Design
2904 Graham Road
Falls Church, VA 22042

Dear Mr. Jullien:

This is in response to your letter of June 20, to Ms. Linda Anku, Regional Administrator in Philadelphia requesting clarification of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030, "Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens." Specifically, you requested that we review and comment on your Safety Syringe and Disposal Fixtures products.

Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the telecommunications industry.

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 28, 1992

Mr. Edwin B. Downey Director,
Industrial Hygiene
U.S. West, Inc.
9785 Maroon Circle
Suite 400
Englewood, Colorado 80112

Dear Mr. Downey:

This is in response to your letter of March 24, regarding the applicability of 29 CFR 1910.1030, "Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens", to the telecommunications industry.

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.

April 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".