General Practices

The rules discussed here apply to both research laboratories and production facilities.

Regulated waste, such as contaminated sharps, blood or other potentially infectious materials, or items caked with dried blood, must either be incinerated or decontaminated by a method known to effectively destroy bloodborne pathogens, such as autoclaving. If materials are decontaminated offsite, they must be placed in a durable, leak-proof, and labeled or color-coded container that is closed before removal.

Laboratory doors must be kept closed when employees are working with HIV, HBV, or HCV to prevent possible outside contamination. Furthermore, only authorized people may enter the work area. Authorized people must be advised on the potential biohazard and comply with all entry and exit procedures.

When blood, other potentially infectious materials, or infected animals are present in the work area, a hazard sign must be posted. This sign must contain the universal biohazard symbol, as shown here, and contain the name of the pathogen, special requirements for entering the area, and the name and telephone number of the laboratory director or other responsible person. The signs must be entirely or mostly fluorescent orange-red with lettering in contrasting colors so as to be easily read.

All activities involving blood or other potentially infectious materials must be conducted in certified biological safety cabinets (pictured here) or other physical containment devices within a containment module. The employer must certify that such cabinets meet the manufacturer's specifications. The certification must take place upon the installation of the cabinets or whenever they are moved, and at least annually.

Workers must wear laboratory coats, gowns, smocks, or other protective clothing at all times while inside the containment module, and they may not wear this clothing outside the module. Such clothing must be decontaminated before being laundered. Special care must be taken to avoid any skin contact with the contaminated clothing. Workers must wear gloves if hand contact with blood, other potentially infectious materials, or infected animals is unavoidable.

Vacuum lines must be protected with HEPA filters and liquid disinfectant traps. Workers or employers must frequently check these protective measures, and maintain or replace them as necessary.

Hypodermic needles and syringes may only be used to inject or withdraw fluids from laboratory animals or from diaphragm bottles. Syringes must either have locking needles or a needle that is integral to the syringe. Extreme caution must be used when handling needles and syringes.

All spills must be immediately contained and cleaned by professionals who are properly trained and equipped to deal with potentially concentrated infectious materials. Workers must immediately report spills or accidents that result in exposure to the laboratory director or other responsible person.

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