Bloodborne pathogen coverage for laundromat workers

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

April 2, 1992

The Honorable Fred Upton
U.S. House of Representatives
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Congressman Upton:

Thank you for your letter of February 19 on behalf of your constituent Mr. Carl Oehling. Mr. Oehling's inquiry concerns the applicability of 29 CFR 1910.1030, "Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens", to his dry cleaning and laundromat business.

This standard applies to all employers of workers who have the potential to be occupationally exposed to bloodborne pathogens. The term "occupational exposure" is defined as reasonably anticipated contact with blood or other potentially infectious material that may result from the performance of an employee's duties.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) believes that some laundry workers are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. These individuals may be employed in either hospital laundries or in commercial laundries that service healthcare, public safety, or other institutions where occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material occurs.

Without knowing the particulars of Mr. Oehling's business, OSHA cannot determine if his employees' job duties meet the definition of occupational exposure. It is the employer's responsibility to make that determination. However, under most circumstances, we would not expect employees of a dry-cleaning and laundromat business which services the general public to have occupational exposure as defined by this standard.

We hope this information is responsive to your concerns. Thank you for your interest in worker safety and health.

Sincerely,
Dorothy L. Strunk
Acting Assistant Secretary

cc: Washington, D.C. Office

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