Bloodborne Pathogens

Bloodborne Pathogens

Harvard employees must follow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Standard if they may have occupational exposure to either:

  • Human blood, body fluids, or unfixed tissue
  • Human cells or cell lines
  • HIV or the Hepatitis B Virus

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard:

  1. Complete initial laboratory biosafety and annual BBP refresher training. New Cambridge, Longwood, and Southborough employees must complete the initial training incorporated into the online laboratory biosafety training.
  2. Complete a Hepatitis B Vaccination Offer even if you decline vaccination.
  3. Each group must establish a written Exposure Control Plan and make it available to its employees.

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Did You Know?

There are safer options to using standard hypodermic needles and scalpels in research. Safer needle devices include retractable and re-sheathing needles, re-sheathing scalpels, needles that can be blunted after use, and many more. Consider if a safer sharp will work for your experiment or if a blunt needle can be substituted. For more information on safer sharps, visit Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Healthcare Wide Hazards Needlestick/Sharps Injuries.