Training

Employers must make sure that any employees who are at risk for exposure receive proper training to minimize their risk. This training must occur at least once per year, and any time an employee's exposure risk might change, such as after a change in procedures or after acquiring new equipment. This training must include the following:

• A copy and explanation of 8 CCR 5193
• The symptoms of bloodborne diseases, an explanation of how they are transmitted, and relevant statistics
• An explanation of the Exposure Control Plan discussed previously, and where to find a copy of the plan
• An explanation regarding how to identify tasks and activities that may expose someone to blood or OPIM
• An explanation of the engineering controls (such as safer needles), administrative controls (such as record keeping), and work practice controls (such as one-handed techniques) that are in place to limit exposure
• Information on personal protective equipment (such as gloves or ventilation masks), including types, proper use, location, handling, decontamination, and disposal
• An explanation of how the specific personal protective equipment was selected for use

Employee training must also include:

• Information on the hepatitis B vaccine, including its usefulness, safety, benefits, how it is administered, and that it is offered free of charge
• Information on who to contact and what to do in an emergency involving blood or other potentially infectious materials
• Information on exposure incidents, including how to report and log them, and the medical follow-up that will be made available
• An explanation of the signs, warning labels, and color coding in use
• A question and answer session with the instructor, who must be knowledgeable in the training program and how it relates to the job

People who work in HIV, HBV, or HCV research or production facilities require more specific training in addition to the training listed here. Research laboratories and production facilities will be covered in a later section.

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