What Is a Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan?

An exposure control plan is the written program OSHA requires of every employer with employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. It must include the exposure determination, the schedule for compliance methods, and the procedure for evaluating exposure incidents, and it must be reviewed and updated at least annually.

Under 29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1), an employer with any employee who has occupational exposure must establish a written Exposure Control Plan designed to eliminate or minimize exposure. The plan must contain at least (1910.1030(c)(1)(ii)):

• The exposure determination required by 1910.1030(c)(2).
• The schedule and method of implementing methods of compliance, hepatitis B vaccination and post-exposure follow-up, communication of hazards, and recordkeeping.
• The procedure for evaluating the circumstances surrounding exposure incidents.

Access. A copy must be accessible to employees in line with 29 CFR 1910.1020(e), cited in the standard as 1910.20(e) (1910.1030(c)(1)(iii)) and available to OSHA on request (1910.1030(c)(1)(vi)).

Annual review. The plan must be reviewed and updated at least annually and whenever new or modified tasks, procedures or positions affect occupational exposure. The review must reflect changes in technology that reduce exposure and document annual consideration and implementation of appropriate, commercially available safer medical devices (1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)).

Employee input. An employer required to have a plan must solicit input from non-managerial employees responsible for direct patient care who are potentially exposed to sharps injuries in identifying, evaluating and selecting engineering and work practice controls, and must document that solicitation in the plan (1910.1030(c)(1)(v)).

Training must explain the employer's plan and how employees can get a copy (1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(D)), which is why a generic course is paired with the employer's own plan.

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