Bloodborne Standard
29 CFR 1910.1030
Methods of Compliance: Employee Responsibilities
Surface Contamination
The standard prohibits employees from eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, and handling contact lenses in work areas with the possibility of exposure. It is acceptable to use hand lotion/cream on thoroughly washed hands. Caution must be exercised when using some hand lotions. If the hand cream/lotion is petroleum-based, it may counteract with rubber gloves that will diminish the glove barrier protection.
Food and drink are not allowed to be stored in areas that the countertops or bench tops could be contaminated, nor in refrigerators, freezers, shelves or cabinets where blood or other potentially infectious materials are present per the standard requirements.
Mouth pipetting and suctioning
Mouth pipetting and suctioning are prohibited by the standard.
If you have any questions at any time regarding the information presented in this tutorial, please contact David Sullivan at 910-916-0688.
(North Carolina Department of Labor (2010). A guide to bloodborne pathogens in the workplace.)