Bloodborne Pathogens in Healthcare Environments Training

Working in healthcare means potential exposure to blood and other bodily fluids — and with that comes the risk of encountering dangerous bloodborne pathogens. This course covers the most common bloodborne diseases, how they are transmitted in the workplace, and the safety measures required under OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to protect you, your coworkers, and your patients.

Course Highlights

• Overview of bloodborne pathogens, including HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C — their symptoms, transmission routes, and available treatments or preventive measures
• How OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard shapes your facility’s exposure control plan, including labeling requirements, vaccination programs, and employee training protocols
• Safe work practices for minimizing exposure, including proper hand washing, handling contaminated sharps, managing regulated waste, and following standard precautions
• Engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) — gloves, eye protection, face shields, and protective clothing — and when each must be used
• Housekeeping and equipment decontamination requirements, including written cleaning schedules and the proper handling of contaminated laundry
• The Hepatitis B vaccination program, including your rights, the declination process, and post-exposure vaccination options
• Step-by-step procedures for responding to an accidental exposure incident, from immediate first aid to incident reporting and medical follow-up

By the end of the course, you will have learned:

• The key characteristics of HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C, including how each is transmitted and what treatment or prevention options exist
• The major requirements of OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and what your facility’s exposure control plan must include
• How to recognize biohazard labels and understand their significance in identifying potentially infectious materials and equipment
• How to safely handle contaminated needles, sharps, regulated waste, and contaminated laundry to minimize exposure risk
• Which types of PPE are required in various exposure scenarios and how to properly use and dispose of them
• Your rights and responsibilities regarding the Hepatitis B vaccination program, including the declination and acceptance process
• The correct steps to take immediately following an exposure incident, including first aid, notification procedures, incident documentation, and post-exposure medical evaluation