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Hand-washing facilities in a medical examination room

Summary A physician asked whether a room used only for procedures without any possible bodily-fluid contact needed hand-washing facilities inside it. OSHA said the cited bloodborne-pathogens rule did not require an in-room facility if that restriction was genuine. OSHA marks the published letter corrected in 2024.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1995-11-02-0
Date issued
November 2, 1995
Status
Active
OSHA marks the published letter corrected on December 6, 2024.
Status last verified October 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Bloodborne Pathogens
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.

November 2, 1995

David C. Yoburn, M.D.
Hypertension and Nephrology, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Doctor Yoburn:

This is in response to your letter of August 7, addressed to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The letter requested a clarification on OSHA's policy regarding the requirements for hand washing facilities inside an examination room per 29 CFR 1910.1030(d). The examination room in question was to be restricted for medical procedures which do not have the possibility for health care provider contact with any bodily fluids including those containing bloodborne pathogens.

The answer to your question is that if the room is truly restricted to medical procedures which do not have the possibility of bodily fluid contact, then there is no requirement to have hand washing facilities inside the room.

Your interest in occupational safety and health is appreciated. If we can be of further assistance please to contact [the Office of Health Enforcement at (202) 693-2190].

Sincerely,
John B. Miles Jr., Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs

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

[Corrected 12/6/2024]

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