The OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard.

1. The OSHA Standard is intended to reduce the risks to health-care workers of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Because the patient's HIV or HBV status is often unknown, the Standard focuses on reducing the risks of exposure to blood and those body fluids to which universal precautions apply. 2. Engineering and work practice controls to reduce the risk of exposure include techniques for handling, cleaning, and decontaminating instruments with minimal hand contact; using containers to pass surgical instruments; wearing puncture-resistant gloves; and using forceps or clamps to remove scalpel blades from knife handles. 3. Employers must provide personal protective equipment at no cost. This equipment must prevent blood or other potentially hazardous materials from passing through or reaching employee's work or street clothes, skin, eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes during normal conditions for the duration of time used.