August 1, 2003—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Web site now contains a new, revised safety and health topics page covering Bloodborne Pathogens & Needlestick Prevention. OSHA says that workers in many different occupations are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. First aid team members, janitors, and nurses are examples of workers who may be at risk of exposure.
In 1991, OSHA issued the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to protect workers from this risk. In 2001, in response to the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act, OSHA revised the standard. This new page includes commonly asked questions that provide useful safety and health information about bloodborne pathogens and needlestick prevention, as well as the revised Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, news releases, and new interpretation letters.
