ABSTRACT
Employers must be sure that all employees with occupational exposure participate in a training program that is provided at no cost to the employee and during working hours. Training shall be provided at the time of the initial assignment for tasks where occupational exposure may take place and at least annually thereafter. For employees who have received training on bloodborne pathogens in the year preceding the effective date of the standard, only training with respect to the provisions of the standard that were not included need be provided. Annual training for all employees must be provided within 1 year of their previous training. Employers will provide additional training when changes such as modification of tasks or procedures or institution of new tasks or procedures affect the employee’s occupational exposure. The additional training may be limited to addressing the new exposures created. Material appropriate in content and vocabulary to educational level, literacy, and language of employees shall be used. The training program should contain at a minimum the following elements:
• An accessible copy of the regulatory text of this standard and an explanation of its contents
• A general explanation of the epidemiology and symptoms of bloodborne diseases • An explanation of the modes of transmission of bloodborne pathogens • An explanation of the employer’s exposure control plan and the means by which
the employee can obtain a copy of the written plan • An explanation of the appropriate methods for recognizing tasks and other activities
that may involve exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials • An explanation of the use and limitations of methods that will prevent or reduce
exposure including appropriate engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment
• Information on the types, proper use, location, removal, handling, decontamination, and disposal of personal protective equipment
• An explanation of the basis for selection of personal protective equipment • Information on the hepatitis B vaccine, including information on its efficacy, safety,
method of administration, the benefits of being vaccinated, and that the vaccination will be offered free of charge
• Information on the appropriate actions to take and persons to contact in an emergency involving blood or other potentially infectious materials
• An explanation of the procedures to follow if an exposure incident occurs, including the method of reporting the incident and the medical follow-up that will be made available
• Information on the post-exposure evaluation and follow-up that the employer is required to provide for the employee following an exposure incident
• An explanation of the signs and labels or color coding required • An opportunity for interactive questions and answers with the person conducting
the training session.
