Course Description
Many people assume this is only a healthcare issue, but bloodborne pathogens are a concern in any workplace where contact with blood or contaminated materials is possible. Whether you’re cleaning up after an accident or helping an injured coworker, it’s important to understand how exposure happens and how to respond. In this Bloodborne Pathogens in Commercial and Industrial Facilities course, you’ll learn how to recognize and respond to risks involving infectious bloodborne materials.
You’ll explore key pathogens like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV, and the symptoms and risks they pose. You’ll also learn about OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and the elements of a compliant Exposure Control Plan. The course explains safe work practices, engineering controls, standard precautions, and how to properly use personal protective equipment (PPE). You’ll also review proper laundry handling, regulated waste disposal, and the steps to take after an accidental exposure.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to recognize potential hazards, reduce exposure risks, and follow the correct steps to protect your health and others in your workplace.
What You'll Learn
- Identify how bloodborne pathogens can spread in non-healthcare commercial and industrial workplaces
- Recognize key pathogens including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV, and the symptoms and risks they pose
- Apply OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and the elements of a compliant Exposure Control Plan
- Use personal protective equipment correctly and handle contaminated materials safely
- Follow procedures for cleaning, laundry handling, and disposing of regulated waste
- Respond appropriately to accidental exposure incidents
Key Takeaways
- Bloodborne pathogens are a concern in any workplace where contact with blood or contaminated materials is possible, not only in healthcare settings.
- Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV are key bloodborne pathogens that carry their own symptoms and risks.
- OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires a compliant Exposure Control Plan along with safe work practices and engineering controls.
- Standard precautions and the correct use of personal protective equipment help reduce exposure risks.
- Proper laundry handling, regulated waste disposal, and post-exposure procedures protect the health of workers and others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course for?
It is for workers in commercial and industrial facilities where contact with blood or contaminated materials is possible, such as when cleaning up after an accident or helping an injured coworker.
What does the course cover?
It covers how bloodborne pathogens spread, key pathogens like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV, OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, the Exposure Control Plan, safe work practices, engineering controls, standard precautions, PPE use, laundry handling, regulated waste disposal, and steps to take after accidental exposure.
What skills will I gain from this course?
You will be able to recognize potential hazards, reduce exposure risks, and follow the correct steps to protect your health and others, building skills in hazard identification, incident response, and occupational safety and health.
How is the course structured?
The course is organized into lessons covering HIV and hepatitis, infection and the Exposure Control Plan, methods of exposure control, personal protection and vaccination, housekeeping and regulated waste, accidental exposure procedures, and a review.
