In 1986, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was petitioned by four labor unions to promulgate a standard to protect employees against occupational transmission of bloodborne diseases such as hepatitis B and AIDS. On May 30, 1989, OSHA published a proposed standard for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens and solicited public comment. The proposal generated the largest response received by the Agency for a health standard with over 3000 written comments and approximately 4000 pages of testimony from five informal public hearings.
After reviewing and considering the gathered information, the proposal was revised and on December 6, 1991, the Final Standard for Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens was published in the Federal Register. The standard is directed toward protecting employees who are occupationally exposed to blood and other potentially infectious materials against contracting bloodborne diseases as a result of performing their job duties. The means delineated in the standard for accomplishing this include identification of exposed employees and development of an exposure control plan; utilization of Universal Precautions, engineering and work practice controls and personal protective equipment; hepatitis B vaccination and post-exposure follow-up; and employee training. Following a phase-in period of several months, all provisions of the final standard became effective on July 6, 1992. At this point in time, employers and employees should be aware of and have implemented the requirements of the standard.