Bloodborne Pathogens (Updated)

How Often Is Bloodborne Pathogens Training Required?

Bloodborne pathogens training is required at the time an employee is first assigned to tasks with occupational exposure, and at least once a year after that, under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2). Each annual session has to land within one year of the previous one.

• The first session comes before the exposure. Paragraph (g)(2)(ii)(A) places initial training at the time of assignment to tasks where exposure may take place. A new nurse, aide or housekeeper should have finished it before the first shift with a sharps container in reach, which is why a 90-minute online course fits onboarding week.
• The clock resets every year. Paragraph (g)(2)(iv) requires the annual session within one year of the previous training. The date on the Certificate of Completion is the date to count from, so file it where the retraining reminder is set.
• A change in duties adds a session. Paragraph (g)(2)(v) calls for additional training when new or modified tasks or procedures affect an employee's exposure. Moving a housekeeper onto regulated waste pickup or a nurse onto a new sharps device is the kind of change it means.
• The certificate names the standard. The Certificate of Completion prints the OSHA citation, so anyone reading the file, an inspector, a client or next year's safety manager, sees which standard the session was built to and the date the next one is due from.

Keep the retraining date on the same calendar as the exposure control plan review, which also runs annually under a separate paragraph of the standard, (c)(1)(iv). This course delivers the session in about 90 minutes and a Certificate of Completion your staff print the same day.