Recording occupational bloodborne pathogen exposure incidents

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

May 27, 1993

Mr. Stephen G. Kastensmidt
B&R
OSHA Recordkeeping
Brown & Root, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Kastensmidt:

Thank you for your letter of May 13, asking about the proper recording of occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens. An occupational bloodborne pathogens exposure incident shall be classified and evaluated as an injury since it is usually the result of an instantaneous event. It shall be recorded if it meets one or more of the following requirements:

1. The incident results in a loss of consciousness, transfer to another job, or a work restriction, and/or

2. The incident results in the administration or recommendation of medical treatment beyond first aid (e.g., gamma globulin, hepatitis B immune globulin, hepatitis B vaccine, zidovudine, or other prescription medications), and/or

3. The incident results in a diagnosis of seroconversion.

For recordkeeping purposes, "exposure incident" is defined as "a specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious material..." In addition, "non-intact skin" includes skin with dermatitis, hang-nails, cuts, abrasions, chafing, etc. Therefore, cases involving an "exposure incident" to an employee may be recordable while cases involving a splash to a person's "intact" skin are not recordable.

Under 29 CFR 1904, medical treatment includes treatment that is actually provided as well as treatment that is clearly required but not provided. Thus, recommended treatment need not be rendered to satisfy the recordability criteria. This guidance can be found on page 44 of the Recordkeeping Guidelines, Q&A F-5. This is why Section J(2) of CPL 2-2.44c (enclosed) includes "...the recommendation of medical treatment..." in its recordability requirements.

I hope this information is useful to you. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my staff at (202) 219-6463.

Sincerely,
Stephen A. Newell
Director
Office of Statistics