Bloodborne Pathogens Online Training

Description

What’s in the Bloodborne Pathogens Course?

This training course is OSHA-aligned and covers OSHA’s classroom training requirements. Each class contains sections on equipment and anatomy, maintenance and inspections, safe operations and stability, common hazards, and more. This presentation includes intermittent practice quiz questions to prepare for the final written exam included with the course. Upon successful completion of the course and exam, you will have immediate online access to your certificate of completion. You have the option to download the practical evaluations for the specific course. Although the practical evaluation is not a required part of the online course, we strongly recommend completing it under the supervision of your employer to ensure your mastery of the safety training topics.

Estimated Training Length: Because everyone learns and progresses at different speeds, the amount of time you spend taking this training will vary. However, the estimated time for this training is 60 – 90 min.

Intended Audience:

• Employees
• Supervisors
• Managers
• Employers

This course covers the following OSHA standards:

• 29 CFR 1910.1030 – Bloodborne Pathogens
• 29 CFR 1910.151 – Medical Services and First Aid
• 29 CFR 1915.1030 – Toxic, Hazardous Substances, Exposure
• 29 CFR 1926.25 – Disposal of Sharps, Hazardous Waste
• 29 CFR 1926.20 – General Safety and Health Provisions, Training
• 29 CFR 1926.21(b)2 – Training, Education, Hazard Recognition
• OSH Act of 1970, 5(a)(1) – General Clause

Why Take Our Online Bloodborne Pathogen Certification Training?

Our online training course provides a substantial, thorough, and effective way to learn how to work safely. We’ve been providing industry-specific safety training solutions for individuals, safety managers, and business owners for over 15 years.

The online course meets the classroom requirement for occupational safety training. It also includes a proficiency checklist that employers can use to perform a practical evaluation, in accordance with standards and regulations.

We have fine-tuned this training to provide you with the best experience possible. Our robust training approach gives an interactive experience that helps learners retain information and apply it on the job site, preventing costly accidents and fines. Safety training is an investment. That is why hundreds of companies and individuals all over the world trust the Hard Hat Training Series for their online training needs.

Why Buy Our Online BBP Certification Training?

• Complete Training: First and foremost our goal is to keep you safe and save you money. Don't risk getting expensive OSHA fines because you settled for a sub-par training program that didn't cover safety topics in depth. Train using a program that helps you retain what is learned so that it is put into practice on job sites.
• Cost-Effective: Hiring a trainer to come on-site can be expensive. In contrast, our online curriculum lowers costs while still providing a professional training experience.
• Records Tracking System: We offer an easy-to-use management system so that if you have multiple students who are receiving the training you can have access to all records, all-terrain certificates, observation guides and more! (contact us if you would like us to quickly create a company account for you)
• Train Your Way: You can use this online training program for new hire training, refresher training or train remotely. Access it from anywhere and work on your schedule.
• Interactive Learning: Special reminders and quiz questions throughout the course prep students for the final exam so that it is passed the first time.
• Corporate License: Do you want to host this course on your own server? Contact us about obtaining broadcasting rights for this and any of our other online courses.

Bloodborne Pathogen Certification & BBP Training

Pathogens are infectious microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses, that can cause life-threatening diseases.

• Bloodborne pathogens and needlesticks are addressed specifically within OSHA Requirements for the general industry.
• There are many different types of exposure paths.
• All federal and state laws coincide with OSHA Requirements and regulations when it comes to safety in the workplace.

What Are Bloodborne Pathogens?

Pathogens are infectious microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses, that can cause life-threatening diseases. Similar to a parasite, these microbes can cause damage to the health and quality of life of the host. Pathogens pose a severe health risk to many employees who work in environments where they may have a higher risk of being exposed.

Depending on the characteristics of the pathogen, the disease can spread from person to person through different methods. Bloodborne pathogens (BBPs) are pathogens that can be found within the human bloodstream. In this case, they are transmitted through contact or exposure to infected blood—hence the name “bloodborne.” Other bodily fluids can potentially transmit bloodborne pathogens, this will be discussed later on.

Overall, there are only a total of about 20 types of bloodborne pathogens. Of these, three are considered the most common and are directly mentioned throughout OSHA’s bloodborne pathogens standards. These three are:

1. Hepatitis B
2. Hepatitis C
3. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Collectively, bloodborne pathogens are a threat to human lives and are a public health problem. It is estimated that approximately 3 million exposures to bloodborne pathogens occur annually in the United States. Within most work settings, bloodborne infections often occur when an employee is accidentally cut and comes into contact with the blood of an infected individual. This is called blood-to-blood contact, which will be covered later.

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

All employees have a right to a safe work environment. Because of this, bloodborne pathogens and needlesticks are addressed specifically within OSHA’s standard for the general industry. Needlestick injuries are wounds caused by needles that accidentally puncture the skin. These regulations and standards provide safeguards for every employee to protect themselves against health hazards related to BBPs within their workplace.

Any workplace where there is reasonable chance that an employee could be exposed to bloodborne pathogens is required to have an Exposure Control Plan. This program is for the education and training of the employees. This education will help employees recognize, avoid, and prevent unsafe working conditions involving exposure to infected blood.

The OSHA standard was revised to include the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act. This revision requires employers to provide a safer environment for their employees who might be exposed to BBPs in the workplace. These requirements contain a great amount of detail concerning protocols for medical devices with points or edges (“sharps”).

The standards regarding BBPs also discuss issues that are vital for preventing exposure, along with procedures that are in place to help if someone is exposed to a bloodborne pathogen. A few examples of these would be:

• Work practice controls
• Vaccinations
• Hazard communication and training
• Recordkeeping

Strict adherence to these regulations and guidelines will reduce the risk, minimize exposure, and help prevent bloodborne pathogens’ transmission.

Universal precautions are also discussed within OSHA’s BBP standard. Universal precautions state that all blood or bodily fluids should be treated as if infected. Abiding by these rules helps to prevent contracting a disease through contact or exposure to infected materials. Unfortunately, a big factor in BBP exposure is ignorance. Studies show that 80% of people who are infected with BBPs do not show any signs, which makes it difficult for the affected person to know that they have it.

Healthcare Personnel & Bloodborne Pathogens

Employees who work in the healthcare industry are the most at-risk of being exposed to bloodborne pathogens. The healthcare industry includes people who work as:

1. Nurses
2. Doctors
3. First responders
4. Medical technologists
5. Surgeons

Due to their high risk of exposure, standards require employers to make HBV vaccines available free of cost to all employees at risk of HBV exposure. Employees can decline the vaccination if they’ve been educated on the dangers of the virus. However, safety data shows that employees who accept the vaccination lower their chances of contracting HBV by 75%. Employees have a right to be safe, and the vaccine lowers the risk of contracting HBV through occupational exposure.

Types of Exposure Rating

Bloodborne pathogens are transmitted through exposure to or contact with contaminated blood. There are a few common ways this can occur within the workplace such as:

• Blood-to-blood contact
• Blood-to-mucous membrane contact
• Ingestion of contaminated areas

All of these transmission methods put employees at risk of contracting disease. It is important that employees are aware of these methods of exposure as well as ways to avoid exposure, which will be covered later on.

Blood-to-Blood Contact

Blood-to-blood contact is the most common BBP exposure type in the workplace. Blood-to-blood contact occurs when infected blood comes into direct contact with the circulating blood of someone who is not infected. For example, an incident where an object with infected blood on it pierces someone else’s skin would be considered blood-to-blood contact.

Blood-to-Mucous Membrane Contact

The mucous membranes that are most likely to be exposed within a workplace would include areas such as:

• Eyes
• Ears
• Lips

Inside the nose and mouth

Blood-to-mucous membrane contact occurs when infected blood makes direct contact with one of the mucous membranes on the body of someone who is not infected.

Ingesting Contaminated Material

A third way that bloodborne pathogen transmission can occur is when contaminated material is ingested by a healthy person. This may occur when infected blood comes into direct contact with food or drink and is ingested by someone who is not infected. It can also happen when infected blood contaminates surfaces that food or drink touches later. Hepatitis B, for instance, can live up to a week on a surface. During this period of time, it can infect anyone who is exposed to it.

Other Ways of Transmission

It is important to know that, despite the fact that these are called bloodborne pathogens, they can be transmitted through more than just infected blood. Other bodily fluids could also be infected. And, when exposed to these bodily fluids, it is highly possible to contract the disease as well. A few examples of these other bodily fluids are:

1. Plasma
2. Cerebrospinal fluid
3. Lung fluid
4. Saliva
5. Mucus
6. Amniotic fluid

Bloodborne Pathogens Training & Requirements

Under OSHA’s bloodborne pathogens standard, employers who have employees that are at risk of being exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials must train their employees annually, regardless of any employee’s prior training or education.

Receiving Your Certification

An OSHA certification is an official certificate of competency issued in accordance with the OSH Act of 1970. Certification is generally received after completion of an OSHA Aligned safety training course. For an in-depth analysis check out our article What Does it Mean to be Bloodborne Pathogen Certified?

An employee who has been hired to work with or around potentially infectious blood would be required to complete a BBPs safety training. After successfully completing the course, the employee would receive a certificate stating that they have been trained and are able to safely handle and work around potentially infectious blood and other bodily fluids.

Legal Requirements for OSHA: A Federal Body

OSHA is a federal agency that was established in 1970 by President Nixon, which means that all federal and state laws coincide with OSHA Requirements and regulations when it comes to safety in the workplace. Workers are entitled to a safe workplace under federal law.

Although, states are allowed to develop additional safety plans and standards so long as federal OSHA Requirements are also met. For more information check out our article Is Bloodborne Pathogen Training Mandatory?

Hard Hat Safety Trainings & Certificates

After reading about all the training standards and certificates, you must be wondering, “Well how can I get started?” You are in luck because you can start here at Hard Hat Safety Training. Our teams work hard every day to provide you with the best and most affordable training courses! Take a look at our Bloodborne Pathogens Training Course today!

Our Description of Safety

Here at Hard Hat Training, our goal is to make safety training easy and affordable. Our vision is to help companies minimize accidents and fatalities through consistent, in-depth training. Our training materials are frequently updated, which enables us to offer the most thorough, up-to-date, easy-to-use, and OSHA Aligned training options on the market today!

Our Courses

We offer our courses in different types of learning formats. We offer in-person courses, online courses, training kits, as well as our unique train-the-trainer courses! Our course catalog presents companies with over 200 training topics, with each course being fully narrated and organized to keep the mind engaged. Our narration reads exactly what is written in the training to help any employees who have visual or hearing impairments. We also offer some of our courses in Spanish!

OSHA Aligned Courses

Here at Hard Hat Training all of our courses comply with OSHA Requirements and contain the necessary safety information to be OSHA Aligned. Our Content Development and Quality Assurance teams spend hours researching so that we can provide companies with the best and most necessary information! We also update our courses to match OSHA Requirements and regulations in order to provide you with the correct information at all times. Check our our homepage for more info.