Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

AT A GLANCE: Fairleigh Dickinson University observes applicable federal, state and local health standards and guidelines concerning employees with work-related exposure to infectious diseases.

On December 6, 1991, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) promulgated the Occupational Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens Standard. This standard is designed to protect approximately 5.6 million workers in the health care and related occupations from the risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens, such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and the Hepatitis B Virus.

Fairleigh Dickinson University observes applicable federal, state, and local health standards and guidelines concerning employees with work-related exposures to infectious diseases. (OPIM)

  • Occupational exposure is defined as “reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or OPIM that may result from the performance of the employee’s duties.”
  • Blood is defined as human blood, human blood components, and products made from human blood.
  • OPIM is defined as the following human body fluids: saliva in dental procedures, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal, synovial, pleural, pericardial, peritoneal, and amniotic fluids, body fluids visibly contaminated with blood, along with all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids visibly contaminated with blood, along with all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids, unfixed human tissues or organs (other than intact skin), HIV-containing culture media or other solutions, and blood, organs, or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV.

The University is in compliance with the OSHA Standard as it applies to blood borne Pathogens. Educational sessions will continue to be provided for the benefit of all University employees who work in Public Safety, Campus Facilities, Health Services and Student Services. Attendance is mandatory. Immunization is offered on a voluntary basis.

The Human Resources Department maintains records and continues to monitor compliance with OSHA.