The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard Compliance Directive Frequently Asked Questions
After years of efforts by ANA and other organizations, a major victory occurred in the ongoing struggle to protect health care workers from needlestick injuries with the Nov. 5, 1999 publication of the new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard Compliance Directive. This action will help reduce health care worker exposure to blood and prevent occupational transmission of AIDS, hepatitis B and C. RNs and other health care workers sustain 600,000 to one million needlestick and sharps injuries every year – resulting in at least 1,000 new cases of HIV, hepatitis C, or hepatitis B. Yet less than fifteen percent of U.S. hospitals use safer devices, such as shielded or retractable needles.Q. What is an OSHA Compliance Directive?
A. A compliance directive is an interpretation of an OSHA Standard. It provides instructions to OSHA Compliance Officers (inspectors) on how to apply the Standard when they are conducting an inspection.
Q. What does this Compliance Directive do?
A. It provides instructions to cite employers for failing to evaluate, purchase and implement safer needles and other safer sharps devices. Even if employers are using safer devices, they can be fined if they are not continuing to evaluate and purchase devices that are demonstrated to reduce injuries in their facility.
Q. Does the Compliance Directive amend the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?
A. No, it is an interpretation of the Standard – not an amendment.
Q. Does the Compliance Directive cover everyone?
A. No, it only applies to those covered by OSHA – employees in private non-profit or for-profit health settings or public employees in the 25 states that have been certified by OSHA to have a state plan.
Q. Will OSHA increase inspections?
A. OSHA will increase the number of inspections ONLY in response to complaints. Therefore, it is essential for SNAs to work with their members to file complaints with OSHA when health care facilities are not in compliance. See attached checklist for when to file a complaint.
Q. Is state and federal legislation still needed?
A. YES! The compliance directive does not:
- cover public employees
- amend the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to require safer devices
- require the involvement of frontline health care workers in the evaluation, selection, and implementation of safe devices
- provide for the collection of needlestick injury data to assess the device specific injury rates in order to improve programs and products for prevention.
Q. Does the ANA support federal legislation containing all of the above elements?
A. YES! ANA continues to actively lobby for this essential legislation.
Return to the Safe Needles Save Lives page.
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