Production Facilities

Workplaces that specialize in the production of HIV, HBV, or HCV have the most specific regulations involving bloodborne pathogens, including many that do not apply to research laboratories.

Work areas must be separated from all adjacent areas by passage through two sets of doors. High-containment work areas may be separated by a double-doored changing room (which may also include a shower), an airlock, or any means that require employees to pass through two sets of doors. The access doors to the work area or containment module must be self-closing.

The surfaces of doors, walls, floors, and ceilings in the work area must be water-resistant so that they are easily cleaned. Any cracks or other penetrations of these surfaces must be sealed to help with decontamination.

Hand washing sinks and eye wash facilities must be able to be operated by the elbows or feet, or automatically to prevent contamination. The sinks and eye-wash facilities must be located inside the containment module near the exit door of the work area.

Ventilation must be provided by a ducted exhaust-air system. These systems remove airborne contaminants and also maintain pressure differentials between different rooms to prevent cross-contamination. The ventilation system must draw air into the work area from the entry area, and may not recirculate the air to any other areas of the building. Instead, the exhaust air must be discharged outside, away from any occupied areas or other air intakes so that it cannot contaminate other people.

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