OSHA Regulations & Workplace Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establishes and enforces workplace safety regulations that directly impact phlebotomy practice. Understanding these regulations is essential for exam success and daily practice.

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OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030)

This is the most important regulation for phlebotomists. It establishes requirements to protect workers from occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).

Key Requirements

The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act (2000)

This federal law amended the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to require:

• Safety-engineered sharp devices (needles with built-in safety features — retractable, shielding, or self-blunting)
• Sharps injury log — documenting the type and brand of device, department/work area, and description of the incident
• Employee input — frontline workers must be involved in evaluating and selecting safety devices
• Annual review of safety device technology

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Exposure Control Plan (ECP)

Every healthcare facility must have a written Exposure Control Plan that includes:

1. Exposure determination — identifying job classifications and tasks with occupational exposure risk
2. Schedule and methods of implementation (engineering controls, work practices, PPE)
3. Hepatitis B vaccination program details
4. Post-exposure evaluation and follow-up procedures
5. Communication of hazards — labels, signs, color coding (biohazard symbol)
6. Recordkeeping procedures

The ECP must be accessible to all employees and reviewed/updated at least annually or whenever new tasks or procedures create new exposure risks.

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Hepatitis B Vaccination

OSHA requires employers to offer the Hepatitis B vaccine series to all employees with occupational exposure to blood:

• Offered free of charge within 10 working days of initial assignment
• 3-dose series (0, 1 month, 6 months)
• Employees may decline the vaccine but must sign a declination form
• Declined employees may accept the vaccine at any time in the future at no cost
• Post-vaccination titer testing is recommended to confirm immunity (anti-HBs level ≥10 mIU/mL)

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Post-Exposure Protocol (Needlestick / Blood Splash)

If a phlebotomist experiences a needlestick or exposure to blood/body fluids:

1. Immediately wash the affected area with soap and water (for mucous membrane exposure, flush with water)
2. Report the incident to your supervisor immediately
3. Document the exposure details — time, type of device, circumstances
4. Identify the source patient — test for HBV, HCV, and HIV (with consent)
5. Seek medical evaluation — baseline blood draw for the exposed worker
6. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP):
   • HIV PEP: Must begin as quickly as possible, ideally within 1-2 hours (no later than 72 hours)
   • HBV: HBIG (Hepatitis B Immune Globulin) may be administered if the exposed worker is unvaccinated
   • HCV: No PEP available; monitoring and early treatment if seroconversion occurs
7. Follow-up testing at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months

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Chemical Safety — Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Phlebotomists may encounter hazardous chemicals in the laboratory, including:

• Isopropyl alcohol, bleach, formaldehyde, methanol, reagents

SDS Requirements

• An SDS (formerly MSDS) must be available for every hazardous chemical in the workplace
• SDS documents follow a standardized 16-section format (per GHS — Globally Harmonized System)
• Must be readily accessible to employees during their shift
• Key sections include: hazard identification, first-aid measures, handling/storage, exposure controls, and toxicological information

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Fire Safety (RACE and PASS)

Phlebotomists must know fire safety protocols:

RACE — Response to Fire

PASS — Using a Fire Extinguisher

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Bloodborne Pathogens — Key Facts

Phlebotomists must understand the bloodborne pathogens they are most at risk for:

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Risk Comparison

Key Fact: HBV has the highest transmission risk per needlestick (6-30%), but it is also the only one with an effective vaccine. HCV has the highest prevalence among healthcare-associated bloodborne infections. HIV has the lowest transmission risk per needlestick (0.3%).

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Regulatory Agencies Overview

Emergency Safety Procedures & Fire Safety

Phlebotomists must be prepared for emergencies that can occur in the healthcare setting. Knowing emergency procedures is essential for patient and staff safety.

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Fire Safety: RACE & PASS

In the event of a fire, follow the RACE protocol:

To use a fire extinguisher, remember PASS:

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Electrical Safety

• Never use equipment with frayed cords or broken plugs
• Report malfunctioning equipment immediately — do NOT attempt to repair it yourself
• Keep liquids away from electrical equipment
• Use only grounded (3-prong) electrical plugs

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Chemical Safety & SDS

The Safety Data Sheet (SDS), formerly called Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), contains 16 sections of information about hazardous chemicals:

• Section 1: Identification (product name, manufacturer)
• Section 2: Hazard identification (GHS classifications)
• Section 4: First-aid measures
• Section 7: Handling and storage
• Section 8: Exposure controls and PPE requirements

The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) standardizes chemical labeling with pictograms, signal words (Danger, Warning), and hazard statements. All chemicals in the laboratory must have proper GHS-compliant labels.

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Exposure Control Plan (ECP)

OSHA requires every employer with occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens to maintain a written Exposure Control Plan that includes:

1. Exposure determination — job classifications and tasks with exposure risk
2. Methods of compliance — engineering controls, work practice controls, PPE
3. Hepatitis B vaccination — offered FREE to all at-risk employees within 10 working days of assignment
4. Post-exposure evaluation — procedures following a needlestick or exposure incident
5. Annual review — the ECP must be reviewed and updated at least annually

Key Exam Fact: The Hepatitis B vaccine must be offered to employees FREE of charge. Employees may decline but must sign a declination form. They can change their mind and receive the vaccine later at no cost.