Engineering & Work Practice Controls

The top two ways to control bloodborne pathogens are engineering controls and work practice controls. Engineering controls are ways in which equipment can be made safer. Work practice controls are ways in which employees can do their job more safely. The CDC estimates that 385,000 sharps-related injuries occur every year in the healthcare industry alone. Non-surgical sharps injuries declined by 31.6 percent in the five years following the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act of 2000, which required the use of safer needle systems and work practices. This section will examine some types of safer needle systems and the requirements for working in environments where exposure to bloodborne pathogens is possible.

To learn more about Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens visit our Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Online Training web page.