Exposure Control Plan

Employers are required to make their workplace as safe as possible for employees. To minimize workplace exposure to bloodborne pathogens, employers whose employees might be at risk of exposure must create and implement an exposure control plan (ECP) in compliance with OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. This plan must list all job classifications in which the employees are at risk for exposure, as well as all of the specific job tasks that could put those employees at risk.

The ECP must be made available to all employees. Employers must also request input on the effectiveness of the ECP from any employees who are potentially at risk for exposure. This allows the people who are directly involved in risky operations to have a say in their safety and can potentially point out areas of improvement that would not be noticed otherwise. The ECP must be updated at least annually so that it keeps up with changing practices, new technology, and new jobs that might put employees at risk for exposure. These updates should also take into account employee feedback and any exposure incidents that may have occurred in the past year.

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