Bloodborne Pathogens and MRSA

OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard prevents workplace exposure to the body fluids that spread bloodborne illnesses, such as hepatitis and HIV. Since enactment of the Standard in 1991, the number of healthcare workers infected with the hepatitis B virus at work has dropped to less than 300 per year, compared with 12,000 in 1985. Therefore, all employees who work around blood and other body fluids that contain blood should receive training on the OSHA Standard.

Staph is a bacterial infection spread by human skin or wounds. MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant strain of staph, is now responsible for nearly 19,000 deaths each year — more than the number killed by HIV in 2005. Once confined to hospitals and other specific areas, MRSA is now found in locker rooms, laundry facilities and elsewhere. Staph-prevention training is a must for workers who shower at work or who work with dirty clothes, razor blades or other items that have been in close contact with human skin or open wounds.

Therefore, all employees who work around blood and other body fluids that contain blood should receive bloodborne pathogens and MRSA compliance training on the OSHA Standard.

The topics covered in the course include:

• Introduction to bloodborne pathogens
• Potentially infectious materials (PIMs)
• Universal precautions
• Handling sharps
• Handling PIMs
• Personal protective equipment
• Engineering controls
• PIM containment
• Biohazard signs and labels
• Waste containment
• Housecleaning
• Handling laundry
• Hepatitis B virus and vaccines
• Exposures and follow-ups
• Recordkeeping
• MRSA and other staph infections
• Preventing staph infections