Title: Workplace Controls & Exposure Control Plans
Type: Lesson
OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires employers to reduce or eliminate exposure risks through a written Exposure Control Plan (ECP) and a combination of workplace controls.
Every workplace where BBP exposure is possible must have a written ECP that is:
Reviewed and updated annually
Accessible to employees at all times
Includes:
List of job classifications at risk
Description of tasks that may lead to exposure
PPE and control methods used
Training schedules
Post-exposure procedures
Hepatitis B vaccination information
You must know how to access your company’s ECP and understand what applies to your job.
Isolate or remove hazards
Examples:
Sharps disposal containers
Self-sheathing needles
Touch-free soap dispensers
Change the way tasks are performed to reduce risk
Examples:
No two-handed needle recapping
Handwashing immediately after glove removal
Cleaning up spills using approved procedures
Policies and training that reduce exposure
Examples:
ECP documentation and updates
Hazard communication and signage
Designated cleanup roles and reporting procedures
Clean and disinfect surfaces with EPA-registered disinfectants
Dispose of sharps in puncture-resistant, labeled containers
Dispose of contaminated items in labeled biohazard bags or bins
Never mix regular trash with regulated waste
Always wear PPE during cleanup.
Your employer must have a clear plan — and you must follow it. Exposure control works when engineering, behavior, and policy come together.
Click “Mark Complete” to continue to Lesson 5: Post-Exposure Procedures, where we’ll cover what to do immediately after a BBP exposure incident.