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Assigned first-aid staff under the bloodborne pathogens rule

Summary A consultant asked about first-aid employees assigned in manufacturing and construction workplaces. OSHA said workers trained in first aid and designated to provide medical assistance as a job duty were covered by all parts of the bloodborne pathogens standard. It specifically named vaccination, follow-up after exposure, training, and protective equipment.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1992-03-31
Date issued
March 31, 1992
Status
Active
Status last verified October 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Bloodborne Pathogens First Aid
Source
View the official document

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About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

March 31, 1992

Dr. Richard F. Andree
Executive Vice President
Safety and Health Management Consultants, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Dr. Andree:

This is in response to your letter of December 11, 1991, addressed to former Assistant Secretary Gerard F. Scannell, in which you requested clarification concerning the coverage under 29 CFR 1910.1030 (Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens) of employees who are assigned to perform first aid in non-health care industries. Please accept our apology for the delay in this response.

If an employee is trained in first aid and designated by the employer as responsible for rendering medical assistance as part of his/her job duties, that employee is covered by all requirements of the standard, including Hepatitis B vaccination, post exposure incident follow-up, training, and personal protective equipment.

We hope this information adequately addresses your concerns. Thank you for your interest in employee safety and health.

Sincerely,
Dorothy L. Strunk,
Acting Assistant Secretary

[Requester letter reproduced on OSHA page; omitted here.]

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