Engineering & Work Practice Controls

Engineering controls and work practice controls are the two major ways to control exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Engineering controls are ways in which equipment can be made safer, whereas work practice controls are ways in which employees can do their jobs more safely.* The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 385,000 sharps-related injuries occur every year in the healthcare industry alone.

This statistic is staggering; nevertheless, there is still some good news. Technology and safe work procedures are constantly improving to control and minimize occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. *In fact, in the five years following the enactment of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act of 2000, which required the use of safer needle systems and work practices, non-surgical sharps injuries declined by 31.6 percent.

To learn more about Bloodborne Pathogens visit our Bloodborne Pathogens Safety Online Training web page.